“SHANGHAIED AND MANHANDLED”

Evening Star, Issue 18280, 21 May 1923, Page 3

“SHANGHAIED AND MANHANDLED”

SENSATION ON FRENCH SHIP,

ARAB’S DASH FOR LIBERTY,

When Plain-clothes Constable P. Synnott arrested a little Arab seaman, Hamed Neil, in Hudson street, Coburg, yesterday morning (says the Melbourne ‘ Argus, May 4), bo thought that it was only a.n incident in an ordinary day’s work. But the arrest was the beginning of a, scries of extraordinary adventures that reached a climax when lie defied an officer and the crew of a foreign vessel. Neil, who speaks English fairly well, told Constable Synnott that be was a native of Aden and a British subject. He pleaded not to be taken back to bis ship. He said that he was “shanghaied” aboard at Colombo, and since, then bad been illtreated and seriously knocked about. Ho was very ill through this .alleged ill-treat-ment, and deserted at the first opportunity on to British soil. He slept in railway trucks on Wednesday night. From certain things which Neil said Synnott was inclined to believe his story. After explaining that a warrant, was issued for Ids arrest, Synnott took Neil back to the 1 rench steamer Lonqsor, which is berthed at ino. 19 North wharf. Synnott says tha-t he was met J>y a polite French officer, who spoke_ English excellently. Synnott said that Neil complained of sickness, and the officer said : “ Then we shall take him along to the ship’s doctor.” The three began to walk towards the doctor’s surgery, but as they approached the men’s quarters the officer rapped out an order in French, and six seamen rushed out. They seized the little Arab and beat him up and down on the deck. When ho was lying helpless, the constable says, they began to kick him. Aided by a Customs officer, Mr Ball, .Synnott charged the six seamen and dispersed them.

“This man is a. British subject,” said Synnott, “and we demand his protection.” The French officer smiled politely, and indicated by signs tha.t, be did not understand anything the constable said. Synnott was'in a. delicate position. He knew that be had no right on the vessel, which was really French territory, and that the officer could order him off. But he could not leave the frightened little Arab after what he had seen, so be communicated with the Customs Department and the ship’s agent by telephone. They said that they could do nothing in the matter. Synnott explained this to Neil, and told him that he would have to remain on the vessel.

“Me no stop!” screamed Neil, and in a, wild dash he ran across tiro dock and, jumped into the river. He swam rapidly down the river until two men in a. coal lighter rescued him and took him to the wharf. Once off (.ho ship, Synnott could take what action ho, thought host to protect Noil, so he took him to the city watch-house and charged 1 him , with attempted self-murder. In court next day, when asked to plead to t.ho charge. Noil replied in broken English; “They tried to iiit mo! I want to go English ship!’’ Constable Synnott explained to the Bench that another steamer owned by tho same company as the Lnuqsor was leaving for Colombo, and the captain was prepared to lake Neil.

Mr R. Knight, H.M. : They will have to take him back.

Neil was remanded for seven days to allow of arrangements being made for him to return to Colombo.