French Police Exposure of Gambling "Racket"
One of the most audacious sw: ies ever attempted in Shanghai, based on the purported possibility of obtaining permission from the French authorities lo operate gambling houses in the French Concession, has been exposed by the French police after long and cleverly conducted investigations For some time reports have been im elreulation that, in view of the impending departure for France 02 Tong leave of M. Meyrier, French Condul-General, authority could. be obtained from his successor for open-Ing gambling houses in the Conces sion." 'These reports came to the ears of the French police who quietly Investigated, and contact was estabished with' a Chinese named. Peu, who claimed to be an adviser to Dr.
Wellington Koo, Chinese Minister to Paris, Following up this clue, the Frenen police detailed a detective to play the part of an interested party and fon November 90 he participated In conference with suspected. persons {in an hotel in Rue Hue, the detective posing og a man able to obtain finances for such an undertaking. Pou, according to official reports, declared he could obtain licences which Wwould bring In a regular Income of $225,000, but the stipulation was laid down that the Interested and alleged Fesponsible parties required sub stantial bank deposits, $1,000,000 Bank Deposit The French detective played his part perfectly as a go between and the same night another appointment was fixed in a restaurant In North Szechuen Road and another inter view was arranged for December 1 when another detective attended the role of a "sleeping During this interview, the eight in number, attended and the original terms were confirmed but the @emand was made that In order to complete the arrangements a bank Gepoalt of $1,000,000 was needed. Police agents pretended to fall in with he arrangement and a contract was. drawn up, with the pseudo-Bnancler giving his consent, on the promise that another Chinese named yeu, who was not present at the Interview, would be responsible for the necessary arrangements with the French Consulate-General.
In undertaking this exposure, the French authorities had already' laid their plans, and at {his moment five Getectives hidden in other room. suddenly raided the room and arrested the entire gang. At the neares' police station to which they were ken they were examined and they admitted the fac wore that they were merely seeking funds for opening up gambling houses fn'the French Concession, On them were found documents of great importance referring to the organization of the game of "Thirty-six Beasts."
$45,000 & Month Asked During the Investigations, one of the prisoners actually declared that fas the present Consul-General was about too on Teave the new Conful-General, on the jnsfructions of the French Government, would authorise the opening of five gambling houses but the operators of these establishments would be obliged to turn in sum of $45,000 a month to cover expenses.
connection with this ease, the French police point out that these Tumours are absolutely without substance or foundation, and that should be definitely tinderstood that hho gambling houses are, or will be, tolerated In the French Concession matter who are the people behind these claims or what nationalities they claim, The French police make the request teat anybody approached this matter should unhesitantly communicate with them so that this swindle may be exposed and appro priate action taken against people behind it,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.