Shanghai, March 23.
Before the Hon. C. 8. Lopinaien, Judge.
(W. 8, Fleming and J.
Davies, v. John R. Armstrong.
John R. Armstrong appeared for arraignment upon a charge of libel, the information against him being that on and between the 12th and 15th and the 19th instant he published concerning William 8. Fleming and James B. Davies, Amer-joan citizens doing business in Shanghai as a law firm, certain false and scandalous matter in the form of a circular, printed in the Chinese language and addressed to more than 100 prominent business firms in Shanghai, with intent to injure and defame the complainants.
The charge was read over, and defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr. E, B. Rose, Clerk of the Court, asked that the case be set 9.30, stating that an important witness was leaving the jurisdiction of the Court early next week.
This application was granted.
Defendant asked per make a statement, and addressing the Judge said: On Saturday morning at 12.30 you gave me the privilege of getting bail money, and at that time your Honour, Mr. Rove and myself were the only persons in the room. I told you I would go to Mr. Sexton and get a cheque dated ahead. I hired a oarriage and got to Sexton's, and when I arrived there I found a note, written apparently on a Smith-Premier typewriter, informing Mr. Bexton that I was coming for $300 bail money, and asking him not to give it me. The note had got there before me. It must have been done by some one in this room. Although I took a carriage as soon as I got outside, I was beaten by twenty minutes.
Mr, Rose—By whom was the note signed?
Defendant—Signed by William Fleming. Someone in this room must have been a party to that note.
Mr. Fleming—I take full responsibility for sending that note, your Honour. Mr. Sexton is a client of mine, dependent on me for a good deal, and I was very much sprprised to hear that he was finding bail for this man, and I told him so in so many words.
His Honour—Did you get the bail?
Defendant—Yes.
His Honour—The matter is one independent of the charge now pending. There is nothing at the present time before the Court except the information which has just been read.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.