Student Charged with Attempted Murder: Alleged Distribution of Bolshevik Literature The six young Chinese students arrested in connexion with the Hongkew Park disturbance consequent on the distribution of Bolshevik literature during the progress of the Olympic Games were brought before Mr. Blackburn and Magistrate Kuan, in the Mixed Court, on Monday, one of them charged with the attempted murder of Mr. R. R. Crooks, the park keeper, and all of them with the distribution of incendiary literature. Exhibited in the court were the automatic pistol which one of the men is alleged to have fired, a handful of ammunition found on him, red and black flags inscribed with Anarchist and Bolshevist appeals, and bundles of pamphlets.
The latter, printed in English, Chinese and Japanese, were of a very wild description. One was based on Labour Day and reminded readers that "Labour Day is the day Americans demanded and succeeded in getting eight hours work, eight hours education and eight hours rest." Others made direct appeals to the competing athletes, calling on them "to accomplish the Far Eastern real Bolshe-yik games" and declaring: You should help by causing all the people of the world to start a universal revolution. Long live the Revolution Games of the Far East!" Labourers were advised not to fear death for the cause, on the ground that, "under present conditions, you will soon die, whether you strike or work." A particularly fiery pamphlet detailed ''steps for striking," in which general arson was freely advocated.
Evidence was given as to the distribution of the pamphlets. A senior Chinese Boy Scout said that it was reported to him that men were distributing incendiary literature and that one was armed with a pistol. With another Scout he went to see what was the matter and one of the accused then fired at them.
Dr. H. H. Morris said that he heard whistles blowing and saw the first accused running after two Scouts; the man pointed a pistol towards them, aiming low, and fired. One boy threw himself on the ground and both escaped unhurt. When the park keeper came up, the Chinese also fired at him, missing him too. Witness ran and caught the man, throwing him to the ground and another foreigner came up and took the pistol away from him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.