Bie TE Reps for Richardson, ae noe Fondant.
Before Judge Milton J, Hetmick:
(Given six months on sogond count)
Shanghai, Aug. 21.
'A melee aboard the s. Saigolon when in dry dock here, which resulted in the stabbing of a Chinese seaman, was mentioned in the US. Court for China yesterday by Mr. Chas. Richardson, Jr, special assist torney. Mr. Richardson was prosecuting Ramon Alvarez, a cents, vies I, wilfully intending to fause bodily farm to. Chinese sea
terous' weapon and' 2, assaulting a assaulting Ni with dan Chinese "workman, Ir Richardson old the court that defendant. was taken into custody 'August 14. 4 sault witha deadly' weapon with intent 10 commit murder, Defendant was arraigned and an information was filed against him' on the two Counts mentioned.
Mr. P.'F. Kops, for the defence, entered a plea of guilty, stressing ths South of the' Filipino' and his good Fecord on board the Salgolon. Starting' as an ordinary. seaman," counsel said, he was promoted to a" quarter-taster, which spoke well for his feliabilty. and trustworthiness. He had not been involved in any similar offence before, and for his good ices on the ship was given a more everting to the brawl on the ship, said Be. Kops, © sailor was injured when defendant. entered the fray Sad was knocked down: "he thet asked out with a knife. "Counsel stressed the point that defendant had one to the asisiance of shipmate When he became involved "tu the fracas, and hod acted without malice oF felonious intent.
The victim had been stabbed in the back and neck but had shown marked improvement in hospital, in the past fortnight. The doctor, counsel said, would not commit him= self by saying to what extent he would recover. He asked for a Mr. Richardson told the court that owing to the gravity of the offence, the had conducted an. investigation into the case and there was nothing, to indicate that accused had ever een Involved in a similar ease. Mr. Richardson said he spoke to the captain of the vessel. who mentioned the loyalty of the defendant. There was considerable question about who started the melee and who was to lame, or whether there was wilful intent' by defendant to cause bodily harm, Counsel suggested a suspend ed sentence on the first charge and the maximum penalty on the second, 'After' pointing out to defendant that the court didn't countenance the use of a knife in a brawl of that sort, the judge, in passing sentence remarked, "There Is a. tendency sometimes to be unduly harsh and use force towards Chinese coolies. don't Imow whether this was the case with you. I don't know how this brawl started or who was to blame, whether the Chinese or other people were in the wrong. The court Believes It should "be lenient with you, but you will have to be pun ed for the wielding of the knife."
Defendant was given a. suspended sentence of two and halt years im~ prisonment on the first count and six months on the second count, the sentence to be served in Bilibld Prison in Manila, The judge pointed out that defendant should see that something was done regarding payment of compensation to the injured man, First Special Court
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