A number of automatic pistols of German manufacture, and 3,000 rounds of ammunition were seized by Customs officers who boarded the Mishima Maru on_ Tuesday afternoon. While a member of the River Police was going over the vessel he noticed a steerage steward go to his bunk. As he came away the officer went to search him, but the Japanese tried to escape. He was held and, whilst in the grip of the officer, put hia-band to his waist and drew an automatic pistol. There was a struggle and in the course of it the steward received a blow on the head from the pistol, which then fell to the ground. The man was taken into custody at the Japanese Cons late. Meanwhile a further search of the vessel was made and nine other pistols were found.
When the River Police attended at the Japamese Court on Wednesday in connexion with the charge against the steward, they.were informed that the matter had already been disposed of, the steward "having been cautioned and discharged. He Lad complained that the Customs. officer took the revolver away from him and struck him on the head with it.
The Mishima Maru left for Japan early on W. day maining, and this may account for the procedure: adopted in the case,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.