he case in which Knight M. Crawley is being. charged with having obtained $75,200 by falsely representing himself to be the own-2,000,000 rounds of rifle ammunition, and offering them to al representative of Gen. Yang Sen, and accepting the money therefor, came to the attention of Judge Mr D; Purdy on Wednesday in the 8: Court for China.
'My, S.A. Moss and Major C. P. Holcomb represented necused, while Dr, George Sellett, U, S. District 'Attorney, with whom wassassociat Mr. F. J.' Schuhl, prosecuted for the Crawley pleaded not guilty.
The entire heating on Wednesday, was devoted to the examination of M: D. Yang, Chief of the Depart: ment of Foreign Affairs of Yang _Sbm; who conducted the alleged negotiations, it being concluded at} three o'clock, and the subsequent eross-examinsition by Inv. Moss, Mr Yang spoke slowly and at times id not seem to understand the questions as put, and instead of Answering directly, wandered from the point, Dr. Sellett led him slowly and painstakingly through the direct examination and throughout explained witness's answers te the stenographer and his Honour, well as to opposing counsel, The afternoon session, in which Mr. Moss crest-examined, was very humorous, due to counsel's wit Hicinms, when witness made apparent mistakes.
The Government's Case In. outlining the case for the Government, Dr. Sellett said that] Me. Yang came to Shanghai about 'Avgust 1, and through Mr, Tes Tanager' ofthe "Yangtse Rapids Steumship Ca., met Crawley and one Thompson, later shown Elly Widler, in the Palace Hotel Nagotiatioms continued for some time, counsel went on to say, first {in room No, 309 in the Palace 'Hate and, later at 221 Bubbling Well Road. At most conferences both, Crawley and Thompson (as he was' called throughout the trial) negotiated the deal with Yang, who Unter brought another agent, Me, Y.
Tuan, who also is alleged to have signed or witnessed the contract. On three distinct di during the middle part of the month, 'Yang paid over to Crawley sums totalling, $72,400—the first payment for $10,200, another for $56,000, a cheque for' $6,000 and $900 in cash, The Government further alleged that Crawley had told Yang that through arrangement with the captain of the U.S, S. Monocacy, the American gunboat would transport the munitions to Wanhsien. The prosecution also contended, continued Dr. Sellett, that Widles had destroyed the signed contract the presence of complainant, Yang.
In examining Mr. Yang, Dz. Sellett brought out that he had been instructed by Yang Sen to come te Shanghai to purchase munitions. He was the chief in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and although he was not an expert in arms, he had been-sent because of his knowledge, of, English.
The Meeting of the Parties Coming to Shanghai on the str. Ailing, he renewed his acquaintans with Mr, Tessier. On arrival here witness interviewed Captain Torn-roth, a enptain from the upper reaches, ubout where he could purchase ammunition. The latter, with whom he was well acquainted, directed him to Mr. Tessier. Mr.
Tessier introduced him to Crawley and Thompson: in room No. $09 in the Palace Hotel. Thompson, alone first, said that he was only the secretary, and that the No. 1 would come later. Crawley came in a few minutes afterward He returned to the Palace the next day, and Crawley suggested] that fature conferences should be} held at a house in' Bubbling Well Road, where things would be more secret. On the following day th: was lite for his appointment and a boy gave him a telephone-number. Later Thompson told him that he believed that the arms might be sent to Wanhsien in a French gunboat. "The next day they told hi sures continued, that the U. Monceacy shortly' would be leaving up river, and-that they had arranged with the captain to transport the cases to their destination.
The original price for the a1 munition was to be Tls. 45 per thousand, later they agreed upon. Ts. 44.
The Draft Agreement Crawley and Thompson presented a draft agreement on. August 16. Witness wanted to take it away rut the others refused. On August 17, they presented the alleged contract, which was signed by Crawley, first, and complainant, next. Mr. Tuan witnessed the document, he added, According to the agreement the' munitions were to be delivered according to sample (produced in Court as an exhibit), that partic which was unusable was to be returned; the price was to be Tls. 41 per thousand, 2,000,000 cartridges, total cost $123,200 at an exchange rate of Tis, 10 to sid. Further, according to the agreement the U. 8. 8. Monocacy would be utilized transport the ammunition, prics for transport $20,000. On signing] Yang was to pay 10 per cent. bargain money, and $73,200 was payable in advance, the balance on delivery in Wanhsien.
During the negotiations, witness added, Crawley and Thompson showed him a trunk, which they stated contained 40,000 cartridges of 7.9 calibre, of which Tuan took two clips.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.