Story of the Master of the W. H. Talbot Told in the U.S. Court "for China: The Negotiations in San Francisco: Mausers Concealed Under a Cargo of Timber Captain N. H.-H. Borreson, former master of the str. W. H. 'Talbot, appeared in the U. 8, Court for China gri Monday, charged with exporting arms and munitions of war from the United' States to the Republic of China, he having arrived Shanghai on June 18 when a quantity of arms and ammunition were found on board his vessel.
Mr. HR. Snyder, who appeared fon belial? of the defendant, brought to the notice of the Court' that the accused, Captain Borreson, had now been in custody for some 62 or 64 days. Defendant had turned State's evidence and had done so of his own free will without promise of reward, Counsel also made reference to the fact that defendant had while in gaol suffered ilh He had a clean record and at a time When in some difficulty and need had been made a catspaw by others and was not 9 much to blame for asked Court to fine Captain the crime as socintes.
Borreson and inflict the smallest lof the vessel to Japanese, which led to the discovery of the contraband. The ship was raided and the Chinese cleared out.
The Judge—And you cleared out too?
Defendant—I went up the river to Kuling and Nanking.
The Judge—Under the name of Pederson—Yes. I was advised to clear out while everything would cleared up. Long Cha and others of the company met me at Kiukiang and wanted me to go to Hankow and sign a charter for the Talbot as they said everything was all right.
Defendant then went on to say that after his stay at Nanking he returned to Shanghai, where he was arrested.
The Judge—You know you were engaged in a dangerous and unlawful enterprise, Defendant made reference to the fact that he had expected the ship's papers to turn up on his arrival.
The Judge—You didn't think they were going to pay $1,500 for no-sentence possible, Mr, L.'G, Husar, U. 8. District Attorney, for the prosecution, that subsequent to Captain Borreson's arrest he had appeared in counsel's office and had made various frank statements. Ho not believe that defendant had withheld any information. He had no recommendation to make one way or the other and left the question in the hands of the Judge.
The San Francisco Proposition Captain' Borreson, questioned by the Judge, made a long statement as} to the history of the contraband which was found on board the:
Talbot. Defendant. said that was born in Germany: and was He had been torn argo, I thought it a fair price.
The Judge—Have you ever been charged with any rime beforet—The case then concluded, judgment being reserved until next day.
The Vessel Sold 'The W. H. Talbot, whose' sale to Chinese buyers represented by Major Holcomb was recently annulled by Judge M. D. Purdy in the U. 8. Court for China, was again ut.up to auction by Mr. Thurston K. Porter, the U. 8. Marshal, on Monday eand was purchased by: Mr. Frank R, Vida for the sum of Mex.
$13,000. "Among the other bidders were two Chinese and Mr. Larsen, 1909 when San Francisco. the sea for 36 years, c between San Francisco Yin and had been employed different companies, rising to the rank of captain in 1904, While in San Francisco a year ago party had come to defendant's house there with a proposition in which they had offered to put up the money to buy defendant 1 ship, saying also that they had 301 guns, which they wanted to to China, One of these fellows named Swinehart and was living at the Baldwin Hotel under the name of F, Ross. There were also 10 or. 12 Chinese who were in the aff One of them was known as "Charlie Gun" and lived in Ross Alley in Chinatown. Defendant saw them Inter at "Charlie Gun's! room in Chinatown and was informed that they would arrange to have the ship's papers in Shanghai when the defendant arrived. He was commissioned to buy a ship and the W. H. Talbot was purchased by him for G.$6,500, the money being provided by the other fellows. The arms wore loaded on board by Swinchart and "Charlie Gun," who brought them alongside in a' steam Jauneh. This was dono before the crew were engaged and the vessel then proceeded to Coos Bay, Oregon, they took on a large consignment of timber.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.