Addressing Dixon, the Magistrate said: I find you have committed this crime. It is one that no British Court in China can overlook. Trade in arms in China is not a clean game. British subjects are in China enjoying extraterritorial _privilegos. We have an obligation to China. If British subjects deal in arms in this unhappy country (as it is to-day) no British Court can or should overlook the offence.
There is no question in my mind of a fine. I sentence you the maximum penalty, which is three months' imprisonment with hard Jabour. You will further be fined £20, or three months' more imprisonment.
Turning to the female prisoner, the Magistrate said: Mrs. Dixon, In your case, and I trust I am not weak, I feel that the law of coercion is in your favour. give you the benefit of the doubt. You may go.
An order was made confiscating the arms and ammunition to his Majesty's Government. Mr. Maitland applied for payment to the Municipal Council of $500 expended in buying the arms. The accused man protested that the money had come into his hands. He did not know how he could do without it. His wife had to live. The Magistrate said the Council must bear the cost.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.