Shanghai, July 12, [MANY men wept and a number of women were overcome when they learned yesterday that they were amongst the 37 parties of Jou refugees who have been victimized to the extent of a total of $10,000 by two Russians and a German Jewish refugee who operated the "Canadian and tal Exporters", 81 Jinkee Road and pr ised them cheap houses on Tongshan Road against ruyments of key money" and advance rentals.
The three men detained at Central Police Station and who are to face the First Special District Court Presentations to morning, are?
IKirker-Kkink, allay Kirke, a Russian wne wil also be. charged' with extortion and Mempied "extortion, 'Whilst wearing a inliorm of ihe. 8. MP. Speelas, Dree, alias 'Droz, Russian ea-partner of Cine Julius Mayer, German Jewish refugee who acted as isison' man etwean the Vietinne and the owners of the firm. and {who was in charge of al eallngs-
The police frst heard of the alleged fraud and extortion when Mr. and Mrs, M, Gumpert and Mr. W. Katz appealed to the police to help them in their endeavour to get back the money they had paid to the arrested men, Whilst police quarters questioned on the case yesterday refused 0 give any information on the subject on the grounds that investigations were still being con. tinued, a "North-China Dally News! reporter was able to interview a number of the complainants, it being ound that the modus operandi em ployed in each case, was the same, Home-seckers were lured into sign-Ing an' agreement whereby they would become the tenants of houses fon Tongshan Road, against payment of "key-money" of $200 per house fand_one month's rental in advance of $130. They were then told that the buildings would be completed on or about July 15 and that they would be informed by. teller when they could occupy them, Meanwhile however, letters were sent {o the various complainants me forming them that the Company had decided that in view of the large humber of applications for the houses, it would be necessary to pay another $200. por house, being two months rental, In advance, whilst an additional' $130 would be required from each tenant when he moved into the building.
many' eases, the complainants wont to the company's otices and asked for the return of their money fon the grounds that the demands made by the company.were con trary. {9 the contract and -because they did nek Have the additional money required.
Mayer, who received all complainants, is" alleged to have told the varieds vielims to take action in court find assured them that the money was at prosont deposited with the) company's lawyers, On Juno 16, an advertise me appeared in. the "Jewish Chronicle inv which all persons having, made contracts with "Canadian the Oriental Exporters" were asked to refer to a box in an attempt that Joint action could be taken and individual interests protected. As 2 vesull of this, Mayer is alleged to Have written fetters to a number of complainants asking them to come fo his office, where they demanded the return of their money. This demand was not met. Mr. Gumpert thereupon Is stated to have written registered letter to the, company June 18 demanding immediate payment of the money and a. com pensation for the loss in exchange suffered as a result of the transaction. When no reply was forthcoming, the police "was informed whereupon a fare nitmber of people—37 up to the time of going to press—have
the investigating officers, Detes-forward and have made reports tive Sergeants, R. Francis and Krader Th court this morning, the police naryes A be detained in custody will probably demand that the three
for eight days so that the complaints may be fully investigated, whilst it believed that many more victims will be located within the next few days, The site on 'Tongshan Road where the houses were to be occupied on by 15 was also visited and most of the' buildings. were either completely or partially destroyed during the hostilities, whilst hardly, any repair work was going.
the case is all the more dramatic fas most of the victims changed their last few pounds sterling in order (0 meet the demands of the company now find that they are completely destitute, One of the male victims interview-the reporter, wept bitterly 1aSaid that The did not dare to reveal the news to his wife for fear that something would happen to her, whilst a number of women are under medical treatment as a result of the Police Officers Shanghai, July 11, Following their retirement from the 'Shanghai Municipal Police after many. years' service two popular officers were the recipients of gifts from their colleagues in the Force on July 8 and yesterday. They were Chief-Inspector C. G, Phillips and Detec-ive Sub-Inspector A. Rhind respectively, both of whom will be leaving Shanghai in the near future, Many glowing tributes to the work of Mr. Phillips were paid by Mr. R. W. Yorke, Assistant Commissioner, at the Bubbling Well Station on July 8 when the. presentation of a gold watch and chain, a set of crested tie ins and cuff links and a silver pickle fork and spoon (for Mrs, Phillips) took place.
Mr, Yorke, humorously referring to Mr. Phillip's West Country. birth, staled that his excellent qualities as policeman and the fact that during the hot weather he seemed to have more: energy than six other men probably were due to this fact. "Mr. Phillips suitably replied and was accorded musical Honours by. the gathering. Atter leaving Shanghai he will settle down on the West coast of England. He has served for 25 years in the Police Force,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.