Shanghai, 16th August, 1904. to Inspector Mascarelli inform your Council of the following additional facts Inspector Mascarelli was accompanied at the Louza Station by one Wang, understood to be the head native detective of your Police Force. These two urgently asked for the release of Ma Teh-fong, but the Sergeant-in-charge under instructions replied that this could only be procured upon the sufficient security of a reliable native resident in this "Settlement. Inspector Mascarelli and Wang then proceeded to find security, and they induced a shop-keeper in the Canton Road to put his chop on @ doo ment, guaranteeing the production of the prisoner. Failing to catch Ma Teh-fong, the Council has prosecuted the security. man who iwas convicted to two years! imprisonment by the Mixed Court. This man has now made a written- statement, a copy of which I enclose, from which you will seo that Inspector Muscarelli and his native assistant are practically responsible for the heavy punishment which has fallen upon an innocent mai Under the circumstances, it is the opi ion of the Council that the action of these men should be regarded as a serious matter, and the finding of your Council in the matter will no doubt have effect as regards the future treatment of the security-man who is at present in custody.
Yours truly, Braxp, Secretary.
Council Room, Shanghai, 26th August, 1904.
Sm,—On the 9th instant an official letter was addressed to the Secretary of the French Council, and on the 16th instant a further communication, both having reference to the case in' which Inspector Mascarelli of the French Police was instrumental in obtaining the release of a native prisoner named Ma Teh-fong. As the result of the Inspector's action, and that of a native detective named Wang, who accompanied him, a native shop-owner in the Canton Road was induced to give security for the prisoner. This man has since been sentenced by the Mixed Court to two years' imp: mont, and is now at the Isolation Hospital under treatment for illness undoubtedly caused by his arrest and conviction. The Council has no doubt that the shop-owner in question is innocent of everything but a technical offence, and that Inspector Masoarelli is directly and solely: responsible for the release of Ma Teh-fong. Under the circumstances, it appears to the Council a matter of simple justice that the matter should be immediately. and fully sifted, and that, ifthe native shop-owner is innocent, he should be released; before anything can be done, however, the result of the French Council's enquiries into the case must be forthcoming, and I have therefore the honour to request that the case may roceive attention as a matter of urgency, and that the action of Inspector Mascarelli may be dealt with as the serious nature of the case deserves, T have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. ANDERSON, Chairman, The Cuarrstax, The French Municipal Council, Translation of letter from the French Council, dated 27th August 1904.
Sm,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday referring to the liberation of Ma Teb-fong, and to inform you thet the letters addressed to the Secretary of our Council have been duly transmitted to the French Consul-General, and that your letter under reply will in the same manner be communicated to-day to Ratard.
I am, etc, B.A. Orange, Vice-Chairman, Axversox, Esq.,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.