“JUSTICE” IN SHANGHAI

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2310, 1 December 1925, Page 7

“JUSTICE” IN SHANGHAI

A BANDIT’S SENTENCE. GIVEN AN OFFICIAL PASS. In the middle of May,, some weeks before the Shanghai outbreak ,a case in the Mixed Court brought to light an example of flow authority is flouted in the Model Settlement (says the Japan “Times” of September 14). The case is only one of many In recent months, but the news of It comes at a time when the necessity of driving home ihe dangers of sacrificing rights and privileges in China has been forced to attention by tain elements in that country.

The case concerned an armed highwayman, named Wong Ah-kung. who was sent to the Chinese authorities at the Arsenal for execution.' Instead, however, of suffering the extreme epnalty he was allowed to pose as a military officer and ply his nefarious trade. He was even assisted in this by an "official pass.” duly signed and chopped, giving him the right to search for arms, ammunition and other prohibited articles, and authorising him, if necessary, to call upon the police and military to assist him. Th,.> pass was ‘good for only two months,” which obviously meant another fee and more “graft” for the issuing department. In no part of the world, other than China, could such a gross abuse of justice occur. Luckily, he was recaptured ,and on the second occasion the Magistrate and Mr. Whitamore, the Assessor, decided, by commuting th e sentence for twenty-nve years, to place Won Ah-kung beyond the reach of Chinese officialdom. It is said that in .the Shanghai Municipal gaol there are some seventy criminals who cannot he sent to' the Chinese officials for execution because of the lack of any real authority.