1936-08-27 — Page 15

CONSTITUTION

COURT SENSATION: HILL OUTRAGE

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, ́ ́ AUGUST

27, 1980.

MCMAHON TELLS HIS STORY

"The King Approached, I Threw The Gun".

Wrote To Wife And

Then Decided To

Make Last

Gesture'

FOR TRIAL ON ALL CHARGES

London, Aug. 3.

EORGE ANDREW MCMAHON told in the witness-

GEORGE

box at Bow-street yesterday how he stood on Con-

arc

The Three Charges

HERE

ngal

Being acasion Intent to properly;

Bro three charges McMahon. They

unlawful

pos- of a revolver with endanger life and

Presenting near to the per- son of his Majesty a revolver with intent to break the pubilo prace; and

Producing a revolver near the person of the King 'with Intent to alarm him.

The frat charge has been brought under the Firearms Act, 1920, and the second and third come under Secilon 2 of the Treason Act. 1842.

has

The Attorney-General made it clear that the section of the Treason Act under which two of the charges are brought has nothing to do with high treason, but "createn a certain statutory misdemeanour."

stitution Hill on July 16 as the King passed by with the "Torture Of The Damned"

band playing and the people cheering.

"I saw all the people happy, and content, and then I remembered that I had barely the price of a meal," he said.

In Letter To

The King

"Yes," McMahon replied. "May I give an explanation,”.

"Within 14 Hours"

The Attorney-General: You will have every chance of explaining. Those words "within fourteen hours" are written in capital letters,- and underlined twice,

At this point McMahon was hand- ed the original of the letter he wrote to Sir John Simon. He looked at 1, and then said, "A lot of it is. underlined.' These twice,

words are underlined said the Attorney-General. "I am suggesting to you that when you wrote those words within four- teen hours in capital letters and underlined them you

thinking

were

of something that might be порисп

the following going mored.

"Yes, I was," McMahon

Were you thinking of something that might be going to happen at. the review of the Guards?—No. When I mentioned "within fourteen hours, "I intended to call at Sir John Simon's private house. In fact, I started on my way to his house. Intended to wait until he left to go on his way to the Home Office. was going to approach him person-

Mr. Kerstein then read the peti- j "I slooped down, and I waited for "I thought what was the good of living, and so I was going to tion, which included the following a few moments, and when the King

passages:-

was approaching threw the gun. shoot myself."

"Then a constable whom, I now know to be Police Officer Mayne,

"Police Constable Grimhs took

WIN forced ally.

McMahon sobbed na he continued: "I left the crowd. When ehunce, and when a ray of happiness caught me by the arm.

I was walking away a thought suddenly struck me. If I could only draw the King's attention to the wrongs which I imagined had been meled out to me, at least he would not allow his subjects to be su treated.

"Just as the bund was passing and I saw his Majesty emerge from beneath the arch. I put my hand in my pocket and took out the gun..

"I stooped down and I waited for a few moments, and when the King was approaching I threw the gun."

for

AA%

Mr. A. Kerslein (his cotone): What was the result as far as your dis- work was concerned?-i was missed from the position of secro- tary which I held in a sports club In Notting 1 Gate.

had

"Since a child I have never had a was beginning to illumine my life it, was extinguished through the harsh my other arm na I action of your Majesty's oMeers. I through the crowd which

"I struggled," ran the petition, In Bathered. which McMahon described how, i "Sprint Constable Dick then came after working for a charitable or- and grasped me and I was led away 5s, a day and working from 7 a.m. (ganisation addressing envelopes at to 8 p.m., he saved a few pounds, and started a small advertising bust-

Soon, he said, he was finding work for some 250 men.

when

DERS.

ment.

|

I

After the cross-examination Mr. Kersteln addressed 'the magistrate. saying, "I am not calling any other witnesses in this court."

He referred to the evidence of the prosecution's witnesses last week, and said that the witnesses agreed

"As I was going from Wellington Arch, a young man stood in front with his camera facing towards me, and 1 bent my head and when that in one saw McMahon either looked ngalu. hts camera was going point t revolver or make any through the air."

attempt upon any one's life, but that Mr. Kerstein asked: "At the spot the contrary he had every oppor- where you say you threw the res ruption or Interference.

tunity of doing so without inter- volver, how thick was the crowd?";

MeMation replied that he was in the front of the line,

muted

your

McMalion, described a jour-sign some foolscap paper, and after nalist, aged thirty-four, of West- handshake was told that the mat-

"I was succeeding, but, alas, Just tvcl

was ter had ended. bourne-terrace,

Park.

Old

fortune "Eight days later I was dismissed

was beginning to at Blac coinmitted

trial

from my employment as secretary smile on me again I was confronted Buicy:

toy the manager, who advised me with muy past unjust nption- McMahon said that he came London about six or seven years ago, a friend to leave London at once for Ume as he had been advised by

"In my weakness I gave way to

said to McMahon denied he [drink, and to-day I am experiencing engaged in social work. He re-

demanded an explanation of the tortures of a damned soul.

constable **Move ceived certain information, and told the puller to dismiss me.

once called Scotland-yard.

"In my agony of mind ) appeat, in dumped horse away." such conduct and ut

hallowed memory of your

Mr. Kerstein: When you drew thej upon the chief constable, to whom the

reinter what had transpired.

Majesty's father

revatver from your pocket, by which I "Some time later was arrested

bel!

part did you hold 17-By the barrel. and charged with writing & against the two detective sergeants

You heard it said last week that in the form of the two letters I had

"If the Home Once cannot grant the revolver had been raised? the chief constable. written to the

me some recompense for my unjust That is not sn. was detained in custody, refus imprisonment, they can perhaps, at ed bail, and after three appenance

Bow-street Court I, through

bail. allowed was solicitor, ballce was told by certain police officers not to stand bail. After all in 6290 and after numerous

£200

tried. appearances at the Old Bailey was

Conviction Quashed

taken by the What action was police?-I was arrested on a charge of criminal libel. I was tried at the Old Balley and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.

He appealed and the conviction

war quashed.

He had been in prison about three and a half months.

the

Sec

later

Onc

Plea For Work

east, give me some work, even at five shillings a day."

McMahon said he had never sent a communication to King George or the present King, or the Home Office that was threatening, in tone.

Describing the events of July 16, McMahon said he left home about 7.45 a.m.

į

"I submit that the fact that he did not make use of that opportunity is overwhelming evidence that he hnd 210

intention." sakl slich

Mr. Kerstein,

"Judge By Acts"

"After all, it is only by his arts that you can judge what his inten- tion was that morning. whatever might have been his Intention on the previous day or at any other time, and in that connection" you will re-

intended or desired to harm the King, or any one else—and there in no evidence that he did."

Did you ever point it at any one member that he says that he never Definitely not.

Did you, in fact, throw your res of his the direction volver in Majesty's horse? No, it was very

Did you not think that the re- yolver might be discharged as it fell to the ground? No, that is why

slithered it.

Mr. Kerstein said that he was not

submit that Kaing to

McMahon should not be committed for trial in the respect of the charges under Treason Act. He appreciated that there was some evidence on which a jury ought to be called to say whe-

er in their opinion he and intend- ed to alarm the King or to cause a breach of the pence.

inuch far ahead of his Majesty,

It has been suggested that the re- Mr. Kerstein produced a revolver,

is that true? "My trial was a slur on your and McMahon agreed that he had volver hit the horse.

As Lords obtained it, but he had never fred-No, it is not, because I saw it Mr. Kerstein: Did you make any Majesty's court of Justice.

lying on the ground some time be- elfort

get work when you come Hewart, Humphreys and Horridge it. or any other revolver.

fore his Majesty passed, out of prison? Yes, I did.

salt, my trial was an impro- Did you get any work? No, the

per_one/

was hampered in my defence. publicity given to my trial prevent-

He (Mr. Kerstein) was only con- ed my getting any employment.

Que inspector even said that I had

cerned with the evidener under the never been a social work local-of- Mr. Kerstvin: Did you have your Did you communicate with

Firearms Act. A point which the I dich. Home Office? Yes.

eer, nor had been church mission|revolver in your pocket?—Yes.

Did you not think that the incl- magistrate must have had in mind For what purpose?-To

student, and other harsh and unjust How was it loaded when you left dent

alarmed have might

his was: Why was this man in posses- ኒናኩና Kiven twelve home?--As ustuni. they would give me some compan imputations.

Majesty? No, because it was too sion of a loaded revolver at all In DIA for what I thought was months' hard labour.

you communicate or stionment,

Hyde Park? After muny

weeks*~~trict-im-Ideavour to communicate with Std far in front to do so.

Did you intend to ülürmTM his] "For

Mr. Ker- obvious reasons,” prisonment and torture I was con-John Simen that morning?-t did."

Majesty?—No, I certainly did not. stein went on "it has been' impossi- veyed to the Appeal Court hand- AL .. about what

time?--A few was seeking his intervention. on my ble for me to any very much about culled, and lodged in a wooden minutes past nine.

behalf.

the revolver. It must be clear that As far as you can tell was any it was not suggested by the prosecu- breach of the peace caused by your tion that the prisoner had obtained act?-No, because no one was aware that revolver and curried it about what had happened until the police with him for some months with any hnd me.

unlawful intention.

unjust

Did you receive that compensa tion? No, sir.

en-

In August 1934 did you send a

to his late Majesty King | cubicle where I remained sitting as Where did you telephone from?— petition

it was barely three by four feet in A public telephone kiosk in Kings- George V.7-Yes, I did.

space, from 8.43 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. way.

conveyed back to and was then prison.

A typewritten document of three pages was handed to MeMalion, who said that the signature upon it was

his.

Mr. Kerstein;

To where? To his private resi- dence.

"A week later I was again con- To whom did you speak?-1 ulti- Is that the petition veyed to the Appeal Court at about mately got in touch with his private you rent to King George on August the same time and after an agonis-secretary. 14, 19347-It fs.

Mr. Kerslein then read the pell tion, which was addressed from 135, Westbourne-terrace. London, W.2, and dated August 14, 1934.

Accused Police"

him

ing walt of many hours was ordered What did you do then?--I asked by your Majesty's Lords of Appeal to be released at once.

Mr. Kerstein: It does not matter what you snid. I want you to tell us what you did after the telephone

"Ruined"

call was finished.

"Lost Control"

"I was now free, but my suffering had just started. I was ruined I read as follows:

physically and financially, had to "H.M. King George the Fifth leave my home and through the McMation: I did not really know Buckingham Palace May 11 please tremendous publicity given my trial what to do. Finally I got on a bus. your Majesty. As a loyal subject to was the cynosure of all eyes,

1 then remembered I had an ap- your Majesty I crave your kind con- I was not eligible for unemploy-pointment with Captain Foulkner. I descension to this appeal for jus-ment money, and was refused the called for him at his house,

satury due me from my last employ-

McMahon was then cross-exam-

"He had that revolver for a per- ined by Sir Donald Somervell, the fectly legitimate purpose, and he had Attorney-General, about the letter no other purpose in mind when he he wrote to Sir John Simon the went to Hyde Park on that day." night before the revolver incident. Mr. Kerstein said that he hoped The Attorney-General: Dld you the Crown would not asks for a com- post the leiter before you went to mittal in connection with the fire- the pictures, or afterwards?-On my arms charge. way home, I dropped it in a letter- It might have been a foolish act box.

that McMation had committed, but, "You will agree that it is fourteen at may rate, it was not criminal av hours from between 8 and 9 in the disclosed by the evidence. evening to between 10 and 11 the Sir Rollo Graham-Campbell said following morning," said the At- that he thought there was evidence torney-General.

fur committal on all charges.

He went with Captain Faulkner ZBW Programmes "I am a young man, married and ment.

to Hyde Park. disabled. I have at all times en- "The Prisoners' Aid Society and Later he left the captain and went deavoured to assist in my humble other such organisations could not to Hyde Park Corner. way my fellow-citizens and have assist me as I was not a prisoner, yet "Some of the soldiers were marcht- suffered not a little personal incon-I endured almost three months' ing back with the Colours which had venience in this direction.

strict imprisonment just because I been presented by the King, People

"I have done much valuable social thought I was doing my duty as one were cheering and very happy," work in Ireland and England, and of your Majesty's subjects. Hence, sald MeMohon. was the only social worker who was your Majesty, this uppeal.

"Suddenly that brought me back

READER SUGGESTS NEW QUESTIONNAIRE

an-

Sir, Your summing up of the Radio contest last Saturday was ever the recipient of a presentation "I have petitioned the Home to a realisation of my own circun- most interesting, also your comments on the various communications from 'down and outs for whom I Ofce

ice on numerous occasions, for stances. I left the parks and went to received since, relating to the matter. May I add a few impressions? laboured, on leaving to labour in compensation for wrongful impri-n public house. I had a drink there Your "open letter" to ZBWlay, in between announcements. It

nother sphere.

sonment, but with no result.

and I was intending to go home. had a small business in West

Many well-known solicitors have Then I beard a band of street musi-Kave an excellent start to your would be kindness to all concerned task of getting the broadcasting if lady announcers were quietly dis- London, and here I continued my told me that I am entitled to some cians playing.

condescension in carded. Their labours for my loss fortunate tel- recompense for what I have suffer-

After a me. went back to committee out of the rut they

urcing at all, is so obvious, that I went from are in.

would probably be delighted at lows. Through such labours I was ed, and they would take up my case, Hyde Park Corner.

there fight made the condant of many trou- but I am without means.

to over

Constitution

You have certainly done your bit being relieved of an unpleasant job. bles, and endeavoured to see that "I have applied to the Poor Per-HIll.

Surely, too, Hongkong is not so Justice was meted out to pil.

sons Law Society, but was told that

In cllciting opinions on the Z.B... "While I was there I seemed to

programmes, but the fact that only entirely devoid of local talent as the "In consequence of what I was as my action, would be against the lose all control of myself. told I wrote in 1932 two letters to Government I could not be con- "I wrote a message to my wife, about 10 per cent of the people, out local artists engaged would make it

and I said to myself, At least when took part, shows that something more

of some 5,000 odd licence holders, appear? the case comes out of my commits needed. ting suicide it will save other people from the suffering I have endured,' If the Committee really want to the majority of listeners "I do not wish tny case to be men-

"Then I saw a picture of how dissatisfy tioned in Parliament as I have tracted my wife would be. I seemed rather than to gratify, their suffered enough through publicity. to cast the thought aside. I said.vanity, it would be simple and

therefore appeal to your "No, why kell myself. I will make Majesty in person for a full inquiry last gesture."" into the disgraceful treatment of one

the Chief Constable, New Scotland-sidered.

yard, in which letters act out in full detall certain conduct of two detective-sergeunts of the West Lon- don Division, and begged the chief constable to tuvestigate same.

Anonymous

"I omitted to sign my nume, but stated that if I was required I would be traced by an adverilsément in a stated newspaper.

**1

Publicity Shunned

of your subjects by your Majesty's Home Office.

"Respectfully

Courted Arrest:

a

own

Д

the

very

Then Jazz! If we must have this, can it not be records? Apparently anybody who can thump a plane in Hongkong may be invited to studio to inflet their painful efforts on a long-suffering public. inexpensive matter to send

Programme selection is difficult business

care, requiring grent questionnaire to every holder of a

knowledgo of music and licence.. One feels sure that if the skill, Chairman of the Committee ap- Pyschology, With all the good will Secretary be proached the Postmaster General, in the world how can repiles could be returned to the expected to do such a difficult bit of

work in between routine duties? your • Majesty's McMahon, speaking in broken former without being stamped.

Jack Fisher's famous recipo for "In March of the following year humble subject."

tones and in a volce scarcely Mr. Kerstein: Did that petition audible, went on: "I intended to helps, the opinions of even

On the principle that every little I was visited at my place of em

dealing with unsatisfactory ployment (having in the meantime meet with any success?

bring my paper to his Majesty's listener may add something to

one mittees, boards and what-nots, seems McMahon: No, sir. sold my business) by two police of»

very applicable here-as the pre- notice, knowing that I would be common stock. Flave cers, one of whom being the detec-

you sent other petitions and arrested, and the King would

liminary to the formation of a new THE ANNOUNCERS

kense of something to demand an explona- tive sergeant I had mentioned in appeals? Yes.

board possessing (1) a You concentrate in your last article showmanship (which means a know- my letters to the chief constable.

Did you in February this year tlon. "I was told to call at the police send a petition to the King?--Yes, then remembered about what on the announcers. While they may ledge of public taste), (2) a love of

{de as terrible, ns your correspondents station, which I did, and there suw McMahon said that this petition had written upon the paper.

was in his own handwriting, and

bay, let us at least give honour where music (to separate what is musie four officers.

"Just as the band was passing, and honour is due. The Sunday.

from mere noise), (3) a wide culture, "After a lengthy interview, during Rigned by him. It

and an appreciation of what is good WEE Bent I saw his Majesty emerge from benouncer-one of the eld stagers of In Ilterature, what is interesting, and which I was requested to withdraw February 12 of this year from the neath the arch. I put my hand in my 2BW-leaves nothing to be desired; whint le of value. my allegations, I was induced to address in Westbourne-terrace. pocket and took out the gun..

"except possibly there is too much de-

On

•

do

pr

the

B.C.

com-

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