What a Tientsin Customs Official Discovered: False Bottoms in Wine Cases Front THe *P @ 7 Tes."
Tientsin, June 17.
"Some friends wrote to me three' months ago suggesting that they should, send some wine from Italy, and put some in the cases. I answered at once and said that they must not do it, for it might get me into trouble." This was the defence put forward at the Italian Consular Court yesterday by A. Pellegrini, Italian, who was charged with importing arms.
'His appearance at the Consular' Court was the sequel to the dis covery by a Customs' employee of 29 pistols and 2,800 rounds of ammunition hidden' in false bottoms of eases of wine, The wine was consigned from Genoa to the defendant's firm in Tientsin.
The arms were found by C. W. Landers when Belle the wine passed throug! toms.
Mr. Landers told the Italian Consul, Mr. Gabrielli, that on look-{ing into the second case, he discovered that there was a false bottom.
He turned and Why, false bottom?", and Pellegrini answered "I do not know." On examining the case, witness found some pistols, and he then informed Pellegrini that he would report the matter. Defendant answered "What must do about it? There are only; 20 pieces."
On the cargo being searched the following day, the 29 pistols and ammunition were revealed.
For the defence, Mr. De Barbyeri said that Pelligrini had never before been charged with any offence. He served in the Italian army during the war, and was now lame owing ton wound, Mr, Gabrielli sentenced Pellegrini to 25 days? imprisonment, 1,500 Rifles Seized: American Arrested.
Tientsin telegram to the '"Sinwanpao" reports the discovery there of 1,500 rifles and hundreds ounces of opium at a certain American firm whose proprietor has been placed under arrest. The Consul, has reported the case to the U. 8. Court in Shanghai, and the Judge reported to have promised to proceed to Tientsin on July 14 to try this case, A Tuchun of a Yangtsze Province is said to be involved.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.