Pandemonium Let Loose When Mafoos and Police Come to Blows: Mafoos' Strike Holds Up Racing Amazing, highly exciting, not a little dangerous, and certainly most significant scenes were enacted at the International Recreation Club! at Kiangwan on January 31. The races were barely under way yaly three had been run—an altercation ensued on far of the saddling paddock, a policeman was seen to. be man-handled by some Hhalf-dozen mafoos, and within two minutes pandemonium was let loose. A policeman running up to assist his comrade fired his rifle in the air, whistles wore blown, and bugles blared unceasingly for five minutes. The only admirable feature about {the affair was the promptitude with which the Chinese police, soldiers Jand armed volunteers answered the jalarm. Many forsook their stations at the several gates—allewing the general public to pour into the Club Jenclosure—and from all directions they bore down at the run upon the saddling, paddock. ing clips of cartridges into their rifles and automatic pistols, fixing bayonets, and waving bludgeons, they came through the crowd, practically every man with his finger on the trigger of his weapon, " any of them waving their pistols round their heads, and the majority of them ig at the tops of their voices.
When a second shot went off in the air, prudent people made for the shelter of the buildings and the substantial colonnade. The mob of armed men having charged helterskelter across the saddling paddock, then charged back again. One not missioned officer, furiously blowing a whistle, assembled a dozen of hhis braves inside the saddling ring, agostrophized them for a minute or two, whilst waving his rifle and bayonet vigorously, then doubled them into the smaller ring, repeated the performance, and then brought them along at a mad scamper right through to the far entrance to the course. Other groups were behaving just as excitedly and this continued for probably twenty minutes.
To return to the beginning. Fifty. stories went round subsequently as to how the ploy started, the most reliable (from a foreigner who witnessed it) being that a very diminutive mafoo in a green jersey was stopped at the stables entrance bby a policeman, then tried to force his way past, and was given reminder; by the butt of a rifle his stomach. that the majesty of the law must be respected. Thereupon he fell upon the policeman and tore at his neck with his finger-nails. Seeing the policeman somewhat embarrassed, a half-dozen other mafoos—it is said there has been a "hate" on for some time between police and mafoos—fell upon. the policeman and pommelled him pretty blood lust having the gentleman of the Rteen jersey, he went berserk and Rit out indiscriminately at friend and policeman alike, till the frst shot rang out. Then he ineontinently bolted and has not since been seen.
The regular policemen took very little part in the proceedings and; behaved very quietly and decently. The ordinary soldiers were not quite s0 calm, but the Chapel Volunteers! lost their heads entirely and behaved like men possessed.
Eventually, the Volunteers collared three mafoos and led them off to the cells, freely belabouring them with rifle and pistol butts, fists and boots, This achieved, quiet reigned. but, before the jockeys could weigh out for the next race, the mafoos had called a strike and racing was held up whilst the leaders of all interested parties went into debate. Tt was. reported that the police had lost an Jactomatic pistol and police and mafoos were agreeable to an exchange—three mafoos for one pistol, Unfortunately, neither would. produce its capture first and things came toa deadlock. Finally the Stewards did the right thing cly telling the representatives of the mafoos that protection would be afforded to all mafoos who wished to work and plenty of amateur assistance was also at hand. "A leading Chinese feckey showed that this was not an His. sedile and setting ut for the lo boast by promptly shoulderi
stables. However, the mafoos would not give in, and so, after an hour's wasted time, racing did proceed, and without further incident.
The greatest credit is due to Me. Y. S. Day (the secretary), Mr. F. W.. Golding (clerk of the course), the Stewards and. other officials, "who never for a moment lost their heads, but tackled the unpleasant matter promptly and coolly. They wasted no time-in reassuring visitors as to the nature of the affair, warned them to give the armed men plenty of room for their exhibition, and then
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.