Demand for Backsheesh: Long Story of Unlawful Attempts to Squeeze the I. R. C.: Soldiers Already Bought Off:
The Bluff Called and Part Programme Run Twenty or thirty Chapei_policemen slouching about the paddocks of the Kiangwan race course on Saturday afternoon successfully demonstrated the sovereign right of, any minor official anywhere China to appropriate as much "squeeze" as he can secure by bluff from anyone who will pay {t. While they triumphantly demonstrated in this manner, 300 folly, armed "soldiers" who already had been handsomely paid and had given their guarantee thet the race meeting would be held in perfect safety, sat on the ground and did nothing. The I. R. C, officials put up with this state of affairs for two hours, then decided to "call the bluff" of the pompous No. 3 of the Chapel police who had portentously declared that he would prevent by force of arms any attempt to run races unless his terms were conceded, and they ran_ off four races, whilst all this official did was to wander about the paddock disconsolately wailing, "I lose plenty face!" It must be emphasized that, although as can be imagined, foreigners expressed their indignation in forcible terms, their anger and disgust could not be compared to that of the many sober Chinese merchants and enterprising young Chinese sportsmen who form the backbone of the lub and who only as lately ay last Sunday were so rightly proud that they had given practical proof; of the fact that actually there is a strong friendship between foreign. ers and Chinese,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.