1935-05-20 — Page 3

THE HONGKO

#MOI

LETTER-WRITING CRIMINALS

ANONYMOUS SCANDAL-

Tis

IT

MONGERS

BY FRANCIS ILES ·

a curious form of mentality which finds its expres- sion in anonymous letters and an interesting one to examine. We need not take into account the person who writes a perfectly genuine letter, usually of warning, out of the best motives, and does not care to sign it. By the phrase "anonymous letter-writer" one means a person who is actuated by nothing but malice.

The motive, of course, is the desire to hurt. It may be out of revenge for some real or fancied injury; it may be with no more reason than that the other person holds different opinions from those of the writer, in the matter of religion, politics, or even art. Every professional author and journalist gets plenty of anonymous com- munications from this type of unhappy creature, who, of course, is definitely unbalanced.

The News Chronicle, In a criminally libellous at that. When leading article, has made the in- detected (and that is unfortunately teresting point, in referring to the not easy) the offenders are heavily .remarkablo Venom which they punished. bring to their job, that the medium

This being the case, it is a re- employed in nearly always the post-markable nnomaly that there should State Department which card. Presumably the reason for be one this is the hope that more people not merely protects but actually will see, and wonder at, the shrewd encourages this peculiarly desple blow.

able activity. Anonymous lettera

It goes without saying that the are welcomed by the King's Proc-

iя letter-writer

ator's office, and the charges in them ARNOуMOUB coward. But It is not enough, to are investigated with care. say that cowardice plus the desire

What is regarded as a crime in to hurt make the annoymous letter-the ordinary way is apparently writer. Lots of us long at times to considered a meritorious act when tell another person just what we the divorce of some unhappy couple think of him in the bluntest may be prevented by it. .possible terms. But we seldom do so. It may be because we are too kind: more probably it is because we have not the courage.

WRONG METHODS?

This is a matter which has not received all the consideration it deserves. Any decent-minded citi- But we do not write the fellow an zen may feel that the State should annoymous letter. What, then, is disdain to use such mean aid; for the third component in the mental annoynous letters to the King's recipe which makes the anonymous Proctor are invariably actuated by letter-writer? It is the sense of malice of the most contemptible

(kind. power:

.

Moreover, The encouragement By the act of sending a savrige, abusive, or indecent communica-thus offered to this particularly un- tlon anonymously in another per-pleasant type of mind is definitely son, these people obtain a definite against the public interest. There gratification. Probably they are, must be many who, having tasted to outward appearances, weakly or blood with a letter to the King's timid; they are certainly repressed. Proctor, go on to indulge their per The writing of such a letter releases įverted tustes at the expense of

jother victims. their repressions.

SECRET POWER

I have personal knowledge of one They picture the horror, pain case, which may or may not be is instructive. The and despair of the recipient and typical, bat they feel themselves corresponding-writer of an anonymous letter to ly more important for having caused the King's Proctor (she was later it. It is a very interesting reflec-identified) invented a whole-batch tion that precisely this same soner of the most neurrilous lies about n --of-secret-power exists in most mur-couple whom she did not know at

derers. Indeed, the general all. characteristics of the anonymous letter-writer and the murderer are by no means dissimilar.

If they had been true any one of them would have been enough to stop the divorce sult which” was pending. This suit was a perfectly genuine one, and on investigation the charges were found to be totally untrue. But the investigation, which was quite open, and involved a number of highly unpleasunt

There is evidence that the anony. moua letter-writing habit grow, on its addicts. Miss J, let us say, feels she has a grudge against Mrs. B. Probably she will in the first place write an anonymous letter of abuse to Mrs. B. herself. That questions put to maid-servants and will keep Miss J. quiet for a time, friende, naturally caused much As she reflects with delight on Mrs, scandal In the neighbourhood and B:'s distress. But it is not long great deal of worry and pain. to before Miss J. feels the need to the victims. widen her scope. She begins then

The reason for the writing of the writing annonymously to Mrs. B.'s friends, making wild and libellous letter was that the writer feared accusations against Mrs. B.

that a relative of her own might

PURE SELFISHNESS

It is for this reason that the lawmarry one of the parties to the is particularly vigilant against divorce suit; and if that happened anonymous letter-writers. It is, of he, the writer, might lose a legacy. course, no crime to write a letter That was all.

and not sign one's nume to It. The writer was never punished But these communications are al-for this deliberate libel. No effort most always highly libellous, and was ever made to trace her. Yet

Madge Evans

Rickard Dix

Here are five of the prominent American screen stars who recently signed to make British motion pictures. Michael Balcon, English 'film executive, who succeeded in affixing their names to attractive contracts, disavowed any intention of raiding Hallywood player lista.

A focal point of interest in the colourful stenu on the Shanghai Race Course for the Tattoo in connection with the Silver Jubilee celebration in the castle shown above. In front of this re-creation of faudal days a shose of pagentry was given.

Five prominent Shanghai Chinese philanthropists recently received “Third Class Teal Yu Jadu, Medals" from the National Government in appreciation of their philanthropic activities. Two of the honoured five persons had to ask representatives to receive the medals in the brief ceremony because they wars abrent from Shanghai. Our picture shows (from left to right) Messrs. Chang Ying (more popularly known as Chang Shiko-ling) Wong King-young and Tu Yuehison, after they had received

their medala,

OF £750,000

had she written that same anony- JUBILEE TRUST FUND suggestion the Trust was formed, has specifically included rural as mous letter to a private person and not to a Government Department, SUBSCRIPTIONS REACH TOTAL❘ well as town areas within its scope, she would, on conviction, have re-

The money will be used to assist ceived a severe term of Imprison-

Youth Organisations. The Trust mont.

is not a charitable, appeal, but a mark the completion of twenty- national tribute to the King to

five momentous years."

London, May 19. Subscriptions to the George Jubilee Trust Fund have King now passed the sum of £750,000.

It is high time that the State ceased to rely upon venom and to encourage cowardly malice. The

The response has been so large officers of the Crown should treat that it has amazed everybody. As a permanent commemoration anonymous letters as the judges Millionaires and unemployed of Jubilee Year it will look for- treat them-that is, tear them up workers have contributed, and the ward to the welfare of the coming unread.

subscriptions have included suma generation, which will provide the Now let us see how many from a penny stamp to cheques for backbone of the country in the anonymous post-cards I get for this several thousands aterling.

years that He ahead.-British article.

The Prince of Wales, upon whose 'Wireless.

SPORTS SHIRTS

AN EXCELLENT AND COMPREHENSIVE VARIETY OF RANGES, IN LIGHTWEIGHT CASHMERE, INTERLOCK AND ARTIFICIAL SILK:

These Shirts are most carefully tailored, an important feature. being in the true fitting and set of the Collar.

PRICES:-

་་་་་

$2.75, $4.25, $5.25.

BERNARDS of HARWICH

Gloucester Building

Des Voeux Road

HAIG in the Home

More comfortable the armchair- more sparkling the conversation— more congenial the atmosphere-

WHEN THE WHISKY IS HAIG!

Don't be Vague

ASK FOR

Haig

Sale Agents:

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD..

St. Georgo's Building, Ice House Street.

Tel. 20135.

Hongkong.

THE

Joe MA Cate

ご記

HONGKONG

PENINSULA HOTEL; ' HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTEL; PEAK HOTEL.

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL;

HOTELS

LIMITED.

In association with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lits, Poking

Penang

The Scenic Gem of Malaya

}

Taking nifar his iambuí daddy, Charles Kingsford-Smith, juntor,

- la shown at the whast of his parental automobile in Sydney, Australia, Bir Charlon is the famous Australian siemkin” who, has' spanned the

· Paella ochán two timas, and it appears, judging from thla picture,. the young man will;follow, aka automotime and aeronautical, foote

steps of his dark

Runnymede Hotel

Malaya's Premier_Hotel

also under the same management THE CRAG HOTEL

Penang Hill

__{A honíth station) CABLES "RUNNYMEDE" RUNNYMEDE HOTEL, LTD,