Mr. C. Hanske, who was arrested and thrown into prison at Chao An, on the Fukien-Kuangtung border, on September 1 after he had been paraded through the town in a "fool's" cap and with a "cangue" vound his neck, was released some ways ago and has resumed his duties in the local office of the Deutsche \Stickoff Handlesgevellschaft (German Nitrogen Trading Ca.
He was given his freedom only after a diplomatic protest had been made to the Nanking authorities, and was handed over to Dr, Wittern and Mr. Von Winterfeldt, of Messrs. Jebsen & Ca, Hongkong agents for the German company, by the trate at Chao An, According to reports received locally from Chines" sources, the magistrate has given so written acknowledgment that the charges on Hanske was imprisoned jous and were concocted by Chinese political agents who were trying to prevent the sale of foreign fertilizer to farmers, and importers in the interior in an effort to justify his indefinite detention, The may trate is also said to have admitted that Mr. Hanske's passport was in order and that he at no time had a pistol in his possession despite an allegation that he had endeavoured to intimidate Chinese officials at pistol-point on several occasions.
Mr. Hanske was on one of his odic trips up-country when he He was accompanied by three Chinese assistants, who shared his imprisonment. His firm, which is also agent for the I. G Farbedindustrie Akditen Gees Jechafs, has been selling chemical fertilizer to importers and smallholde#s in the Caao An district for some years. One reason advanced for his arrest when it took place was the activity of bean cake dealers in Swatow, who have been claiming that the Eale of foreign fertilizer has prac ruined their business and de ived them of their means Chao An is a few miles from the coast and is easily accessible from Swatow. I: is situated in a rich rice and fruit growing district and is one of the meet important markets all descriptions of
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