An Echo of the "Wan-Wan™
The French Mixed Court has cently been occupied with two teresting actions for libel. In both cases the plaintiff is My. Max Engel, former delegate of the Czecho-Slovak Government,—ar the defendants are Mr. Hegenbar and Mr. Ludwig Soyka. Plaintiff represented by M. d'Auxion de Ruffé, and defendants Premet.
The actions have arisen in connexion with the Czecho-Slovak Central Economic Commission, which has a branch at Shanghai (of which Mr. Hegenbarth is President) and headquarters at Vladivostok, and which amongst other duties undertook re-victualling of troops Siberia, The libel alleged against Mr. Hegenbarth is said to lave been contained in a telegram sent to headquarters making the suggestion that Mr. Engel was interested in the sale of goods on account of thi commission, and was obtaining iMegal commission. Mr. Soyka is alleged to have supplied the information (or some of it) on which the alleged libellous telegram wag based. Heavy damages. are claimed by the plaintiff.
On Wednesday the Court was occupied in hearing the—case against. Mr. Soyka. The proceedings were of a somewhat lively description.
The principal witness for the defence was Mr, Karel Jan Hora, well-known in Shanghai during th; war as editor of the "WawWaw and now a member of the League for the Purification of the Czecho-Slovak Nation.
Great amusement was caused in Court when M. d'Auxion de Rufté confronted the witness with several copies of the "Wan-Wan.""
Another witness for the defence was Herr Carl Statz, _representative in China of the Poldi Steel Works, and son-in-law of Mr Stepharius, chairman of the former German Club.
During the proceedings, @Auxion de Ruffé threatened Mr Hora with criminal proceedings for giving false evidence.
The heaving was adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.