Witness said that he never was actually connected with the Sino-British Traders, but at one time there was an idea that he and Mr.
Davis would become associated and! make it into a limited lability] company.
Witness said that at the time the alleged libel appeared he had [writing a business contract with Mr. A. C. Davis for the sale of 10,000 cases of beer each year for} three years, but as a consequences? the article Mr. Davis withdrew, showing him the paper, and saying:—"An you are connected with the fire I will have nothing to 4 with you." Witness was not in any way connected with the arson con-piracy, nor was any suggestion to that effect made during the Mixed Court trial.
Gross-examined—Before filing the action, witness did not ask the defendants for a correction, retraction or apology. He left the whole matter in the hands of Mr. Faison.
Since the publication of the alleged Hibel he had not lost any money. but none had been coming in. His} business had gone down to nothing. He used to make $500 or $600 month, but he could not prove it as he did not keep books. The Board of War gave him $200 a month in Shanghai and Tis..600 a month in Peking.
His Official Appointments Witness averred that, although he still held his official appointments, the officials in Peking had held very poor opinion of him since the "China Press" article. He had no: received any pay for seven months.
Mr. Fessenden—Do you advise the Board of War about going to war?
You have nothing to do with the present war?—No.
Then why have they appointed you an adviser?—It was through friendship.
Further questioned he said that! hhis import and export business.was jeatirely with Chinese mitted that the last article was published. "He also was commission agent. He. had an account open at the Hongkong Shanghai Bank, but there was no money in it, (Laughter)
Mr. Fessenden—On what do you base your claim to. $90,000 damanes?
Witness—It is hard to base it.
Mr. Fessenden—I am inclined to think it is.
The Judge elicited the further information that plaintiff' had been 53] years in the Chinese Navy, a mechanic in the Customs Lights service, contractor for the Chefoo sea-wall, and that he had worked two! chartered steamers. "He lost all his money in the Vladivostok riots in 1904.
George T. Lloyd, editor and pub lisher of "Lloyd's Weskly," said he had. known plaintiff for "seven! years. Mr. Ross was well connected amongst the Chinese.
The case sas adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.