Describing he the lat escribing how the late Airs Tinker, labour superintendent at the Lun Chang mill at Pootung. Point, hood been struck three or four times by Commander Noji, Commander of the Japanese Naval' Landing Party jin Pootung, and had then been dragged for about twenty-five yards, olthough bleeding profusely from wounds sustained during a skirmish with "the Japanese marines on the mill. premises, Mr. John Sharples, spinning supervisor at the mill, continued his evidence before Mr. C. Haines, H. M. Coroner yesterday, when the inquest on Mr. Tinkler was resumed.. Scenes at the military hospital' in Pootung, where Mr. Tinkler was detained "for many hours by the Japanese were related by Mr. Sharples, who accompanied the injured man there and remained with him for several hours On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Sharples stated in his evidence, he and other foreigners attempted to make a Japanese N.CO. understand that some of the group of Chinese escorted by the marines were loyal workers. "At that time Mr. Tinkler had appeared bleeding from the mouth.
'Asked by the Coroner why he had armed himself, Mr. Sharples explain. ed that when they had seen the coolies, armed with sticks, running towards the mill, with the' Japanese marines walking behind, they had come to the conclusion that the Japanese were not affording the mill protection. His opinion was that the Japanese were allowing the coolies to attack the mill. As he thought that the foreigners might be attacked, they armed themselves as precautionary measure.
They had seven Webleys, he added four 'Tinkler's Mauser was his own private' property. Instructions "had been issued that' the firearms were only to be used in case of urgent necessity. Tinkler had been placed in charge of the firearms and he had the authority to issue them at his own Answering the Coroner, witness stated that he had not heard of any agreement made by the company with the Japanese that firearms could only. be used with the prior consent of Commander Nojii As Tinkler arrived, bleeding from the mouth, he stated, Stott, Chadwick and himself were trying to make the Japanese N.C.O. understand that some of the Chinese were loyal people. The N.C.O., however, did not Appear to understand. At this point Tinkler threatened the man with his gun and told him to take his men away, witness added, while Stott, Chadwick "and "himself tried to separate the company's Munch crew from the gang of coolies. They were prevented, however, by the Japanese Around about this time another bunch of marines were arriving from the direction of the mill. "This caused Tinkler to start flourishing his gun again and all the time we were trying to pacify him, but he threatened to hit us if we did not leave him alone," Mr. Sharples went on. By this time the Japanese had encircled them and witness saw Commander Noji approaching them. At this point he stated to the others that as the Commander could speak English they could come to an arrangement.
'As Commander " Nojiapproched them Tinkler threatened him with his kun and told him to take his men away. 'The Commander then' went outside the circle of marines, who loaded their rifles and pointed them in the direction of witness and the other foreigners. "After about half-jo-minute Commander No}i beckoned me to fo to him and he then asked me how the trouble had started and 1 was trying to explain to him when 'Stott joined us." witness added, "Stott and I explained that when the launch arrived with our loyal people the strikers came from sampans and joined our loyal people on the pontoon. All of them were placed' together by the Japanese marines and were allowed to enter the mill."
Witness and Stott then asked Commander Noji why he had allowed his people to let the strikers enter the mill and his reply was that if he had stopped them the trouble would have Deen much greater.. At that time there was a sue and Stott and witness went towards Tinkler and asked him what was the matter. His reply was that he wanted to go to breakfast but the Japanese would not allow him to do s0.
"T then left him with the intention of asking permission from Com~ /mander Noji for his being allowed 10 Fo to breakfast." said Mr. Sharples, "when I heard another scuffle. 1 then turned round and saw a marine ing up Tinkler's gun while six or seven marines started to beat him with, their rifles. From what 1 saw they were using the flat of their bayonets. I ran to his assistance, shouting to, the Japanese to stop and by the time had reached him he was in a semi-kneeling position.
Chadwick was also there at this time, and with the aid of one or two narines we lifted him to his feet, Commander Noji then came up and Struck him three or four—times, although 1 did not see what he was using. I asked Commander Nofi to stop and he did so. The marines
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