Fine of $50 for' Foreigner Who Made Fiitse Statement Edward. Alexander, charged with obtaining a passport from the [British Consulate in Shanghai on November 29, 1923, by making an alleged false declaration of birth, again appeared in the Mixed Court last Friday before Mr. Martin and Magistrate Lob. Mr. Priestwood appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Mansel Reece for the defence.
Mr. A. H. George, Vice-Consul in jthe British Consular Service in China, who appeared as witness, stated "hat in March, 1920, the British authorities at' Hongkong had furnished him with a letter to facilitate things for deportee named Edward Alexander, from Australia, who was his ' way "to Vladivostok. Alexander made certain statements writing in which he said he was born in Russia, He believed this was the.same man as the accused though these sort of interviews were frequent. occurrences.
Mr. Reece—I take it you can't awoar this was the accused?
Witness—No, I cannot.
Detective-Inspector John Sullivan who was then called as witness, said that che last saw Edward Alexander, whom he believed to be the accused, on board the str. Sunning. He had come directly from Hongkong and at that time said that he had been in Australia where he had lived for 12 years. He also said that she had country on account of 801 Iy_ passed. emigration Other witnesses made statements and identified the accused, stating that he was well Known to them, and that they had always believed bim to have been born in Russia, Mr. Reece then raised the question of jurisdiction as to whether the count had the right to take the attitude "You say you are British, we think you are not, and we are going to deal with' you." The accused had informed him that his parents were British and that he was born in Russia. The chief argu ment put up against him was that he was not recognized.
The Assessor—This Court takes jurisdiction of all unrecognized foreigners.
The accused was then questioned and admitted that his statement of birth in Liverpool, Australia, was not fact. He was unable to produce any proof of his British parent age, all his private effects having been destroyed while in Russ The Assessor said that the Court would take jurisdiction because the accused was unable to produce evidence to satisfy it that ho was a British subject.
The recused was found guilty and was finest $5 The passport issued Iesi by the Beitish Consulate was ord ed to be cancelled.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.