Case Against Chinese Detective Is Disinissed rive Chinese including a detect ive in the employ of the Shanghai Municipal Police, were. brought, before Mr. H, Bucknell, American Assessor, and Mr. Li Sion-mei, Chinese Magistrate, in the Mixed Court on Wednesday, on seven charges of intimidation, it being al-Jeged that they obtained money and stoods valued at $1,839 from a handcart contractor named Chao Chang-sung. 2 Evidence was given by complain ant to the effect that the first ac~ cused had on various oecasibm: gone to lifs home and demanded money and threatened him bodily injury he failed to pay. Accused and friends had on' several times eaten complainant's men and hed taken them away from his employ. Witness stated that he was afraid '9 report the matter to the Police the matter first arose more than 12 months ago—and so the had ap: proached the chairman of his countrymen's association and begged him to mediate. Again threats ame and witness was warned guinst asking for outside aid. He was told to pay $1,500, but this he efured to do. Eventually the sum vas brought down to $800. On anther occasion the first priconer—he detective—said that complainant's business was too good, therefor all profits must be handed to um in daily payni Witness would not agree and he vas told that he would be put into vison, and shot if he refused. due day, as he was standing in crout of his door, a man came up struck him in the face, and when witness went to chase' him, the firat accused stepped up and told him that he deserved it as witness was not following his advice, The dotestive told witness that the man was one of his assistants Who would everything if he had worshipped or kow-towed to the first' prisoner and become his disciple.
Asked by the Magistrate why he did not bring the suit earlier,.wit-mess said thet he was afraid, and that he had mot money with which to buy rice, let alone bring a lew-suit. There was, however, nothing, else for him to do. He admitted in ater examination that he formerly thad eight carts but os accused had Hprevented coolies working for him, Jseveral were now idle. Koo, the chairman of the countrymen's as sociation, was present when he pai the $800.
Mr. Rodger observed that witness, whilst having no money to buy rice was in & position to engage two Iawyers and questioned witness regarding an advertisement which upbeared in the Chinese press announcing that one of the prisoners had started a rival handcart con-corn, The Court then called Koo, who stated that he had tried to mediate snd that the transactions were friendly and peaceful ones, There fad been no intimidation to his knowledge.
Questioned by Mr. Preston, this witness said that he knew the parties to the action and was friendly with all. After much persuasion, he admitted that he was "very in-Limste" with the first prisoner and later that he was his ewer brother.
Mr. Rodger then made a motion that the case be dismissed and Mr.
Fleming replied. The Court found that the evidence was insufficient and the ease was dismissed without the evidence of other witnesses being heard. Accused were released forthwith.
Plaintiff was represented by Mr. A.M. Preston and Mr. W. 8. lem ing, and the prisoners by Mr. N. E. Luton, Mr. H. R. Snyder and Mr. H. D.' Rodger. shoot him if he chased him and shat he was very daring and bad hot another man for the detective vsfore for $1,000.
Complainant then "reported the matter to the Harbin Road Police Station but was told that he should ile suit in the Mixed Court. Again the detective called and witness wus warned against reporting matters again to the Police Station. The next demand was that he should present each one of the prisoners with a gown. Payment for these amounted to about $60. The money was paid to the fifth prisoner in a teashop in the French Concession. During the third moon the current year, witness was informed that' he must provide funds to furnish with redwood furniture a house in which the concubine of the first prisoner ived. Witness again, under threats, paid $219, but was' unable to get any of the money returned. Witess then thought of closing his Ddusines but was told that if he did <0, he would have to pay prisoners the sum of $2,000. He then reported the matter tothe Police because he was threat ened in such a way that he could stand it no longer. He was afraid that he would lose his life nid the hiad no more money. After hat hho was again threatened by the 'A fine of £10 was inflicted on one Wittkowsky, a British subject, in HM, Police Court yesterday for being in illegal possession of a loaded revolver. Mr. G. W. King occupied the Bench. Evidence was given by. 1 plain clothes constable to the effect that' at 4.80 am. on Sunday, on receipt of certain information, Went round to the boarding house in Thorne Road at which defendant was staying, and found him in a drunken condition. He searched him and found a fully loaded revolver in his pocket.
Juvomenr for G. $751, $5.04 and Tls. 926.87 was given at the U. S. Court on Tuesday against the Amer-_ tean Heating Ca. in favour of Andersen, Meyer & Con, Ld. Mr. GE. 8. Pranklin, for plaintiffs, stated that defendant admitted all tha claims except a sum of $39.40 for which sum plaintiffs were willing to give him the benefit. Defendant had also filed a counter-claim whicit now wished to withdraw without prejudice. This was agreed upon the Court, Locat. gentry and merchants have telegraphed to the Peking Go ind to the Kiangsu provincial ie king attacking the eross-examination by Mr. Snyder, witness said that he had several witnesses, but cou not produce any disinterested neigh-ours to testify for him us they wore afraid of the first prisoner. ing him of removing money from the public treasury and converting it to his own use. They ask therefore that he be dismissed an punished, and demand a pablic statement of accounts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.