Stryagth of the Force on Vobruary 28 we 2.698 tributed to revenge on the part of. a gang of criminals certain mem bers of whom are now in custody: on serious charges. On February 28, at_a dwelling house on Mui head Road a slave girl, aged 15 years, was killed with a chopper by some person or persons unknown during the absence of her employers. Boxes and drawers in various Crime—Thetts of bieyctes have increased considerably during the past few months, particularly in the business part of the Settlement and as a considerable number of these have been stolen as the result of carelessness on the part of owners and chit coolies in leaving them unattended in doorways. and outside buildings the public would be well advised to take extra precautions in this respect. In a recent ease twenty-two bicyclos were recovered, mostly in Chapel, and although proved to be stolen proerty could not be identified owing to the fact that most of the parts shad been changed, The police are continually questing the public to assist. them by promptly reporting cases to the nearest policeman or police station, An illustration of the value of falucrity in these matters is shown by the arrest of thirteen armed robbers in possession of three loaded. pistols and a toy water pistol, five to the action of a shop ai ant in promptly notifying Louza Station of the whereabouts of a person whom he identified having robbed his master's shop. Ut is significant to mote that a female who was arrested carried the pistols for the gang. Another prinatanco occurred on February 22, when a gang of armed robbers entered a Japanese dwelling house the Yangtszepoo district and during the progress of the robbery fan. inmate of the house succeeded in. notifying the occupants of the adjoining: promises who inno sounded a "robber alarm" con-steered with Yangtszepoo Police Station. "A posse of Police immediately proceeded to the scene and on their arrival found two of the robbers still on the premises. An attempt to effect their arrest suited in both men being shot dead. Subsequent investigations proved successful in establishing the identity of one of the dead robbers and this led to the appre: Tension of two other members of the gang.
Recent reports show that pocket picking is again prevalent Cinemas, Theatres, ete., and as this class of crime is perpetrated by expert foreign criminals care should the taken bythe public when v ing these and other public places where they are compelled to mingle with crowds. The vicinity of book otices and cloak rooms in Theatres are the favourite haunts of these criminals both male and female, Several reports have recently been received of a sharp nstrumont having been used to slit the clothing of intended victims in order to reach the contents of pockets.
Cases have recently come to notice of Chinese masquerading as workmen in overalls and foreign That or cap who enter foreign houses for the alleged purpose of repair fine the woodwork or electric light ting and then hold up the mates (usually female) with 2 pistol and demand money or Jewellery. Due to. prompt action and courage on the part of the persons concerned the results have been of little benefit but in one case a Japanese Indy was shot the shoulder while she was giving the alarm and in another ease the victim, also a Japanese lady, was shot in the abdomen, Murder and Attempted Murder.—During the month three murders Srere committed in the Settlement. Briot details of those crimes are as follows:—On February 9, the dead body of.a Chinese malo child, about tve years of age, was teand Tying on raysido Road, Deati was due to! rooms of the house were ransacked and property stolen.
On March 4, a foreign Probation. ary Sergeant vas shot and killed by armed Fuflans while he was proceeding to the scene of a shooting affray'in the Louza district. It interesting to note that no com ments were made by any of the Chinese. newspapers in connection with this officer being killed in the execution of his duty while al tempting t0 protect the Tives and interests of the Chinese community. There is, however, nothing unusual this attitude "of the Chinese press. Since the beginning of 1927 no Tess than eight foreign police officers have been killed in the execution of their duty in the fence almost entirely of the lives and property of Chinese. residents of the. International Settlement.
Tu no single ease has the Chinese press offered cither sympathy for their loss or commendation for the Iravory of these gallant young. police affeers cut down in the pride of life. Comment on this attitude ive attempted murders wore reported: armed robbers being responsible for each case.
Three persons were arrested during the month on charges of murder and are now under remand. The above arrests were made in regard the following three cases. of 1, 'The shooting of two Chinese toaters, one of whom was fatally wounded, in the Zew Khaung Lee, off East Kashinge Road, on Septem: ber 13, 1928, 2. The murder of a Volunteer in September, 1923, Chapet '3. The murder of a male Chinese' who was shot dead on East Seward Road on September 19, 1927.
Of twelve persons on remand at the end of January, 1929, two were sentenced to imprisonment and the remainder are still on remand Manalanghter.—Two eases. were recorded under this heading during the month. During: an altercation Detween a servant ie] and a shop assistant the former received a kick in the abdomen to which she suecumbed shortly after. The second ease was due to a domestic dispute during which a Chinese woman was attacked by two other women and died. shortly after. In connection with these enses three persons wore arrested. One was sentenced. to imprisonment and two are under: remand.
Suicides—Eight cases of suicide occurred in the Settlement daring the month, Cutting ud Wonnding.—One ease lurider this heading occurred. in the Yangtezepoo district as the result of a gambling dispute between tio Chinese, one of whom severed the finger of the other with a knife, This man wax arrested and is now under remand. was Armed Abduetion—No report under this heading were received during the month.
Three persons abducted in January have since regained their liberty, One, an accountant who was Kidnapped on January 14, {when proceeding along Taku Road, escaped on February 5, while guards were asleep. The second was that of the four year old son fof a lawyer's cleric who was taken away on January 29, by armed men from a dwelling house in the West Hongkew district and returned to his home on February 7. The third person, n Chinese gold-broker who was abducted on January 28, when leaving the compound of his vestdcence in the Bubbling Well district, was rescued by the Municipal Police after desperate affray. The rescue was effected on the carly morning of February 8, when Getectives attached to Touza
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.