A history of Chinatown from newspaper reports.

13.10.1813 National Register POLICE.

 

   SHADWELL.—An investigation at the above office in the late langerous riots among the Chinese Lascars, in which three men were killed, and about 17 wounded, terminated on Tuesday, with the commitment of six of the ringleaders. The following is an abstract of the most material evidence: -

1. Gola, Superintendent of natives of India stated, that in a place called King David's Fort, there were about 500 Chinese in the barracks belonging to the East India Company. Of these there are two sects, one called the Chenies, the other the Chin-Chee. On visiting their barracks about eight o'clock on the morning of the 8th he found them in a state of entire hostility; one sect fighting the other with knives and implements of every description. He immediately directed the gates to be shut to prevent the offenders from escaping. He then sent for and procured the assistance of several of the police officers, on seeing whom approach the contest in a great measure subsided. The officers immediately proceeded to disarm them of their weapons which, by this time, they attempted to conceal. On searching their chests and hammocks, all their knives, &c. were taken away. One man was found dead, with his bowels ripped open. Seven were carried to the London Hospital, severely wounded, two of whom are since dead. The Chenies overcame the Chin-Chou by superiority of numbers. The witness was informed that a cutler, on Tower was employed to make instruments for the Chenies. He found his name was Cramer: he acknowledged that he had recently sold sets of large knives to them, and had been commissioned to make them a further supply, which his workmen were then executing. These the witness saw: they were large knives, with wooden handles, the blade about the size of a common cutlass. Cramer being apprised of their intended use, promised they should not be delivered. Several of the Lascars were afterwards stopped at the Barrack-gate, in the act of bringing such instruments with them, which they delivered up, not without some struggle, and an attempt to use them against the officers for making the seizure:

  The origin of this affair appears to be thus, by the evidence of the parties:-A Chines being at play with a Chin-Choo, they quarrelled about Is.6d. which one had lost and refused to pay: they came to blows, and on a subsequent day they renewed the combat with knives. Too Sugar, a Chin-Choo, now in the hospital, is alleged to have begun the contest, by calling to sect to come and fight the Chenies. Hence it appears each sect caught the contagion of quarrel from these two, when the re-encounter became general.

   Of those in custody, three have been discharged for want of evidence. The following are to take their trial, viz. Appui, Appeng, Chong, and Peu.

 

 

11.01.1890. E.L.O.. A CURIOUS BURIAL.

 

A Chinaman, Finds a Resting Place in Bow Cemetery.

 

The Extraordinary Career of Ah Sing.

 

   Ah Sing was buried on Sunday in Bow Cemetery. According to an old

acquaintance of the dead Chinaman, Ah Sing was “buried most comfortable." According to Mrs. Ah Sing, or Mrs. Johnson, as she is called more frequently, Ah Sing's troubles, of which he had more than he ever told her about, she said, are over, and he is now, she feels certain, where opium is not a necessity, and where "that blessed cough of his" will trouble him no more.

   Though born in the Flowery Kingdom, Ah Sing was not laid to rest to the hollow and hungry sound of the tom-tom. No sweetmeats or paper ornaments were laid upon his grave, and no appeals were made to any Joss on his behalf. For many years Ah Sin professed to be a Christian. Whether or not he became addicted to reading the bible before his business of providing opium for those who cared to “hit" the pipe took unto itself wings, does not seem clear. There is no doubt, however, that recently he read his Bible with commendable regularity.

    Upon her return from the funeral on Sunday, Mrs. Ah Sing referred with undeniable satisfaction to the strong bond of affection that had existed between Ah Sing and his Bible. She was dilating upon her husband's taste in literature when a neighbour, who had also attended the funeral, interrupted her with the remark that she was sure the deceased "must have known the third chapter of John by heart.

 Did she know why Ah Sing took special pleasure in reading this particular, chapter? The sorrowing neighbour intimated that she was not willing to certify under oath to her knowledge, oath but she felt certain it was because Ah Sing received more enlightenment from this chapter than from the rest of the bible combined. She hastened to add that it was extremely difficult to get the better of Ah Sing in a religious discussion, as he knew” to a dot" the subject of life, and she had often seen him, clasp his hands and heard him beg his Heavenly Father "to take him home.

  It has been claimed since Ah Sing’s death that his opium den was immortalised by Dickens in the first chapter of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Ah Sing was always very proud to relate that his den had been visited by the great novelist, and Ah Sing's widow says that such a visit was made. Dickens, in "Edwin Drood," certain1y describes the court in. which Ah Sing lived, but he describes the proprietor of the Opium joint as a woman, as so hideous a woman that she could hardly have been Ah Sing's wife, for the latter is today mild-mannered, soft-spoken, and rather pleasant-looking. In the story this woman refers to "Jack Chinaman t'other side of the court" as the only person in the vicinity who, besides herself, possess the true secret of mixing opium, adding, with an eye to business, "but he can't do it as well as me.

  This woman could hardly have been Ah Sing's wife, though she lived in

New-court. Victoria-street, E., for about thirty years, and would have

been, there to-day, probably, if the old rookeries in which she and Ah Sing lived .and in a manner thrived had not been pulled down a couple of years ago to make room for a school building. The circumstance that Dickens's opium mixer referred to Jack Chinaman

t’other side of the court” seems to point to Ah Sing's widow, for she

rented Nos. 2 and 3, while he rented Nos. 6 and 7 in New-court.

   Her houses, she said on Sunday, were not used for opium dens, but

 boarding-houses.  She was explaining that her boarders were generally

numerous in "the old times," when the mourning neighbour added, "They were coloured men, you know, sir". Neither the interruption nor the

unexpected colour of Mrs. Ah Sing's boarders seemed of consequence to the

widow, but, in compliance with the wish of the mourning neighbour, she

explained that all her boarders were seafaring men, and generally Lascars. Nearly all of them smoked opium, and they were always accommodated "t'other side of the court," where Ah Sing was the presiding genius. In those times he was known to his intimates, the mourning neighbour said, as the "dear old boy"

    Though Mrs. Ah Sing had no recollection of seeing Mr. Dickens, she is

quite certain, she said on Sunday. that Mr. Dickens had visited her husband's place. "Lots of gentlemen" were in the habit of visiting it, she said. Rubbing her hand across her forehead, as if the action would carry memory back to the old time, she turned to the sorrowing neighbour and said "You remember, Mrs. Godfrey, how many people did come to the old place." Mrs. Godfrey blessed her "art," and said she should think so, indeed.

    Then she proceeded to inform the visitor that the West End was largely represented, quite frequently, at Ah, Sing's. As if to remove the, last lingering shadow of doubt touching the exact part of London from which these visitors hailed, Mrs. Godfrey said many of them came in cabs. She remembered that one party of gentlemen had been brought to Ah Sing's by a police inspector, and that the party, including the inspector, had enjoyed the visit exceedingly. She shook her head and

swayed her body slowly, but impressively as she contrasted the "good old times" with all subsequent periods. Her allusions to the "persons" who

removed the old buildings and thus destroyed a once flourishing industry,

though not complimentary, were entirely fit for print. She even went so far as to hint that perhaps they couldn't "elp it."

  Having been ousted from his famous den Ah Sing I tried hard to find a

habitation in which his industry could be prosecuted successfully. In this he failed. In the last years of his residence in New Court he had lost instead of made money. His boarding-houses put no money in his coffers.

   The boarders probably spent all their spare cash in smoking opium, and were penniless when settling day came. Ah Sing seems to have had considerable faith in coloured human nature. When a boarder obtained a berth aboard an outgoing ship, and said he couldn't pay up until the ship returned, Ah Sing would take a due bill and say no more about it, except in Chinese, which his wife did not understand, her ignorance undoubtedly saving, her from much bother.

   There is a piece of paper now in the possession of Ah Sing's widow which she thinks tells exactly how much he was owed by boarders whose ships failed to come in. He told her once that he had lost £700 through boarders. She thinks the piece of paper tells the story, but as the story is written in Chinese, it tells her nothing and nothing is about what she has to live upon. Unable to prosecute his calling under conditions greatly changed from the period in which he made money, Ah Sing lost hope and energy. Without money he could not procure a place near the docks and most of the opium dens

Are now to be found in their vicinity. AI 131, Cornwall-street, where he died, there was no accommodation for opium smokers: there was also no opium.

  Ah Sing had been an opium smoker from his boyhood days. Under the

influence of religion, it is clamed, he made several attempts to put the pipe behind him and have none of it. He never quite succeed until a couple days before his death; but his success should be attributed to physical weakness rather than mental strength.

   The mourning neighbour said that nobody thought Ah Sing would not

recover from his cough until "he went off his smoke” She was afterward,

good enough to explain that by "off his smoke" she meant that he could

not enjoy it, and added that when Ah Sing could not enjoy a smoke of opium, he must have been in a very bad way indeed.

   Well known as Ah Sing had been in and around Now-court, very few people in or about Cornwall-street were aware of his existence. Few people there knew that he had coughed himself away last Sunday, or that his body had lain in the Cable-street mortuary for a week.

  The funeral was such a modest affair that it attracted no attention. The mourners numbered only five. These were Mrs. Ah Sing, the mourning,

neighbour, and her three daughters. They drove to Bow Cemetery at two

o'clock, and in less than an hour were at home again. Ah Sing, dead, looked like a Chinaman, but was without the queue. He had cut that off many years ago, but twice bad allowed it to grow— once for a trip to Germany, and again on a trip to France. Why he had not made these visits with cropped poll his widow could not say, except that he persons who had hired him to make the trips had stipulated that he must have a full-grown queue. At the time of his death his hair was short enough to have prevented an ordinary barber from expressing a desire to cut it shorter.

  At the grave the burial service of the Church of England was read. Ah Sing had so wished, thereby showing-that he had not renounced the worship of Joss purely for commercial reasons. His virtues and his trials were comfortably discussed over a hearty meal late on Sunday afternoon by the mourning neighbour and some visitors who had called to condole with Ah Sings widow. More than once the mourning neighbour thanked Heaven that Ah Sing had been "buried most comfortable poor dear, by Mr. Arthur Bradford, of Cannon Street."

  This, too, was agreed to without a word of opposition, and after a hearty meal the mourners, individually and collectively, expressed the opinion, at the same time defying contradiction that a more devout Christian than Ah Sing had not been buried in Bow Cemetery since the latter was a mere infant.

 

 

28.12.1907; E.L.A; - OPIUM SMOKING. EAST END DENS.

 

   Few Londoners are aware of the extent to which the vice of taking opium in some form or other is indulged in to-day in their very midst in resorts existing solely for the purpose of meeting the requirements of slaves of this insidious drug. Some may have had an idea that it was not impossible to indulge in opium smoking in one of the dock districts of the East End, where the Chinese form a very considerable section of

the population, but it is unlikely that they suspected that there are now at least half-a-dozen recognised places which, by day and night, are patronised by a very large number of customers who visit them as regularly as many other men go into a public house, and the, patrons of these places are by no means only 'Orientals, for there are many Europeans residing in London who are as greatly addicted to opium as the Chinese themselves. Two of the most prosperous opium establishments in the East End are patronised extensively by Englishmen, who include men with names well known in various walks of life. If the identity of some of these were made public, probably no one would be more surprised to learn they were frequenters of opium resorts than their own most intimate friends. For the average opium taker is ashamed of his weakness, and keeps it secret as long as possible.

  It is not a savoury district, says "Reynolds," that in which the opium slave finds his cravings satisfied. But once he has surrendered to the insidious influences of the drug, he makes little of the disadvantages of the locality, Were the attraction less powerful, the man who is accustomed to the luxurious and comparatively secure surroundings of the West End, might think twice before venturing into the squalor that characterises the purlieus of Limehouse, where there are mean streets harbouring a cosmopolitan, and Chiefly sea-faring population, amongst whom are to be found men, with more regard for an opportunity of obtaining another person's property with little trouble than fear of God or man. But the opium victim, intent on satisfying his desire, rubs shoulders with criminals and desperadoes of the worst type, careless of the risk he may be running.

  If he is a man to whom price is of little account, he can obtain what he wants in comfort and privacy at the expenditure of from twenty to thirty shilling. There is a recognised establishment whose premises are unpretentious externally, but furnished within in lavish style, that caters exclusively for the man of means. For reasons that will be readily surmised by those familiar with the averseness of the Chinaman to the fierce light of publicity, the exact position of the resort need not be indicated. It will be sufficient to state that it is in Limehouse. Its proprietor is of course, as in the case of all these places, a Chinaman, and the attendants are, naturally, Orientals also. To the visitor here, his first impression on entering is one of surprise at discovering such a display of luxury in so shabby a quarter of London.

   Here there is need to give a secret, password as in the case of some less reputable resorts. If the personal appearance of the visitor seems above suspicion little other introduction is necessary, and the folding doors, under the supervision of two Chinamen, silently swing open at his approach The soft light of shaded lamps hanging from the ceiling disclose a spacious hall. The feet sink in the rich, heavy carpet as the visitor passes on to the next floor, where there is an excellent restaurant with weird Chinese decorations and a menu that offers a variety of seductive Chinese dishes Its patrons sometimes include Society women seeking a new sensation. But only privileged visitors have access to the rooms above, where the opium smoker may surrender himself in retirement to the enjoyment of the pipe for which he has been craving. There are a number of apartments in the upper stories set apart for this purpose. Each contains a couch upon which the drug victim reclines. The Mattress and the cushions are of silk. And attendant noiselessly enters the room bearing the necessary utensils. To be enjoyed, opium must be prepared by a competent hand, and the number of "opium Masters" in London, is limited. They make income's that for Chinamen of their class, are reckoned substantial.

   The smoker's outfit consists of a pipe and bowl, a small lamp, and two fine steel rods or needles, on which he “spits" a pill of the opium, which is something like treacle in appearance, and cooks it in the flame

of the lamp. Finally, the pill is placed in the bowl of the pipe, which is placed over the flame of the lamp. The fumes are then inhaled by the smoker into his lungs.

   Within a stone’s throw of the establishment that has been described, there exist four or five other opium dens. Private rooms are not to be had and, sometimes as many as twenty or thirty men, the majority Chinamen, can be found in one apartment, preparing their pipes, or in the various stages of oblivion that succeed the inhalation of the fumes. The charge in these places does not, as, a rule, exceed five shillings, and, in some instances. is as low as half-a-crown. The managers are very chary

Of admitting strangers, and, unless a visitor is in the, company of a regular patron, he stands no chance of being allowed to enter.

   There are many strange characters to be met with in the vicious, but fascinating resorts.

 

 

12.05.1908; E.E.N.; SEAMEN'S CONFLICT AT PENNYFIELDS.

 

BRITISH v. CHINESE.

 

  Trouble has been brewing for some, time between the  uropean and Chinese Seafaring classes of the East-end, and this culminated

yesterday in what would have developed into serious riot had it not been for the intervention of the police.

   On Saturday afternoon a number of Chinamen were taken to the Board of Trade offices in India Dock road to sign on for the steamship Zambesi, which was lying in the Surrey Commercial Docks. A number Of Europeans were in the vicinity of the offices, and they showed signs of demonstrating against the Chinese.

  The Chinese failed to pass the language test, and the officers and the Mister of the ship then took them to the Surrey Docks to sign coasting

articles to enable them to take the ship to Cardiff.

At the Docks some 200 to 300 seamen and labourers were present and took sides with the European seamen, with the result that the master of the ship decided to sign a European crew and this was at once done, and the ship accordingly sailed with a white crew. Yesterday afternoon, the master of the steamship Strathness, said to be a Cardiff steamer, took a Chinese crew to the Board of Trade offices for the purpose of signing

them on and taking them to Cardiff. Three attempts were made to reach the offices, but an angry crowd so frightened the Chinese that they beat a hasty retreat each time.

  Eventually they were accompanied by Inspector Walmsley and a posse of police, and were thus enabled to reach the offices. They again failed in the language test, and as they returned to Pennyfields, they were followed by a crowd numbering about 1,000. In Pennyfields, despite the vigilance of the police a number of blows were struck and several of the Chinamen tested the quality of British muscle. However, the police managed to get them to their quarters. The whites were very indignant about the action, of the police and maintained that they exceeded their duty, and we understand that questions will be put to the Home Secretary in the House of Commons with reference to the action of the police.

  The seamen, many of whom are ratepayers in the district, maintain that the police had no right to be used for the purpose of assisting the captain of a ship to get a crew of Chinese in preference to Europeans.

   Inspector Walmsley, naturally very reticent about the matter, refused to give our representative any information beyond the statement that it was his duty to keep order and prevent a breach of the peace, and he said the police could not, and did not, take sides in the matter.

    We shall give fuller details in Fridays' issue.

 

 

19.06.1908; E.E.N.; TO THE EDITOR. Chinese in Limehouse.

 

  Dear Mr. Editor, — Will you allow me a little space in your valuable paper to write a few words upon the above subject? The question is getting so serious that we can hardly stand idly by and see the tactics

adopted by these foreigners without something being done to prevent matters becoming worse. In travelling down their "head-quarters," Limehouse Causeway, I have seen scenes that are disgusting. The Chinaman,

ignorant of anything you say, parade this place, where the smell is almost torture. Then, again, we can see English women associating with them. We also see some of the Chinamen not properly dressed where young children and young women are forced to go to their homes near at hand. Is it fair to such as us to traverse this place and almost become ill when they clear out their refuse for the dustman?

  Could we Englishmen do such as they are permitted to do in this locality—letting off fireworks half the night? An English parent would be fined for his or her child if it only let a cracker off, while these have specially built sheds for the purpose. We cried aloud in England when the Chinaman was in South Africa.  Why should we say nothing when they on our own shores, seem to be prospering better than our own?

 It is nigh time something was done to stop the influx of these people, who are a menace to clean respectable inhabitants. They now seem to be scattering themselves all over Limehouse and elsewhere. I am sure this

colony, as it is, with its degrading spectacle, is becoming tiresome to those about, and the question is, what is to be done to prevent any

further importations? Can the landlord be induced to do us a good turn, or is it again left, to the public to do the necessary? If it is left for the latter, the sooner steps are taken the better it will be for the community.

    I urge upon the people not to be banished from the district, but do their best to banish them, and I am sure it will be a step in the right direction. They seem to deal of their own people, so they are in no way a help to us.

   Hoping this letter, with the help of the "East End News;" will find support and help to dispel this band of foreign riff-raffs, who, apart from other shortcomings, cannot even recognise our Christian Sabbath.

  Thanking you in anticipation of same, I, beg to remain, sincerely yours, E.J.T. Limehouse, E.

 

 

08.09.1908; E.E.N. TO THE EDITOR. Chinese in Limehouse.

 

   Dear Editor,—Permit me for a few moments to intrude on your valuable space to write a few words on this subject. I wrote you a letter which you duly inserted a few months ago, on the same matter, but to my regret no answers appeared.

   I would like to know if something is not possible to be done to prevent them from continuing the things they practice. I call the notice to their fireworks practices, their lounging on steps, and many other things. I came through Limehouse-causeway the other night, when about five Chinamen were huddled up on a step cracking nuts, and the whole of the pavement around the step was bespattered with nut-shells and spittle. To go through here of a morning, when the refuse is out for the dustman to take away, is more than one can stand; the stench is simply awful.

   On Wednesday last, between 8 and 9 o'clock, in Birchfield-street, there was ta

quarrel, in which about six Chinamen set upon another, and hammers and choppers, to the best of my observation, were being used. One Chinaman's face was almost mutilated, and if it had not been for the timely intervention of the police, something worse might have happened. Can our Borough Council do nothing mitigate this evil? It seems we are drawing, near to a time when these foreigners will take absolute command of this locality. It is shameful that our children should see such things as they do by watching them. I only hope some others will present their views on this matter. It is only from what I have seen and heard that I feel compelled to take up the cudgels on behalf of those around about, who I know are willing to help.

    Hoping again this letter, with the aid of the 'East End News," will help in some measure to call attention to this massing of undesirables, who, apart from other misgivings, do not recognise our Christian Sabbath. Suggestions will be gladly welcomed by many, especially by the writer.

   Yours sincerely, E. J. T. Limehouse, E.

 

 

11.09.1908; E.E.N.; TO THE EDITOR - Chinese in Limehouse

 

    Dear Editor,—I am very pleased to see you have lent your columns for the above discussion. I am also in sympathy with “E. J. T.” who, like myself, is subject to annoyance of these undesirable creatures.

  If anyone (not accustomed to the neighbourhood) was in Limehouse Causeway on Sunday, they would imagine they were in besieged town, with a thousand guns pouring their explosives around them, so great is noise from the fireworks that these people are allowed to let off. The “display” generally starts in the early morning, and is kept up at intervals of five to ten minutes till ‘past midnight.

   I am surprised that the Poplar Police Station has not found time to interfere, but perhaps it takes a lot to arouse Robert from his slumber.   Scarcely a day passes without there is a fight between some of them. Surely it is time something was done to put a stop to this growing evil. Yours truly, W.H.D., Limehouse, Sept. 9th.

 

 

10.04.1909; E.L.O.; Chinese in East London.

 

Effect of the Language Test.

 

The “language test" recently embodied in the Merchant Shipping Act, designed to prevent foreign sailors who are unable to understand orders given in English from shipping on British vessels, has, says the Morning Leader," had quaint effects on the Chinese colonies at Limehouse and the

outports.

  It has been explained that the Chinese had been growing in favour with steamer owners, because of the economy effected in wage bills and the scale of provisions, and the less likelihood of claims arising through

injury to any of those aboard ship when the crew was composed of Celestials. It was hoped that the "language test" would effectually stay this further lowering of the standard considered to be good enough for merchant seamen; but the framers of the test reckoned without the Chinaman. The trade of the Chinese boarding-master, in Limehouse and elsewhere, is too profitable to go under to a mere "test." Moreover, the Chinese colony there has grown hugely in past years, the number of boarding-houses having increased from about three to 20. The guileless John was not going under for want of a struggle. It was confidently expected that the imposition of the test would close many of these houses. It did nothing of the kind. They are as many and as prosperous as ever.

   It must be remembered that British subjects and residents in British dependencies are exempt from the test. Consequently, if a Chinaman cannot understand English, he, or somebody for him, asserts that he is from Hong Kong or Singapore. An inspection of a score of ships' articles dated this year proved this conclusively.

    Other little dodges are practised, too. It, has been suspected by some shrewd Board of Trade superintendents that one Chinaman, speaking English fairly well, could sign on the articles, and that another man, who did not understand English at all, would go in his place. There is no

doubt whatever that this is done. But it is difficult to detect, for all Chinamen, to English eyes, look very much alike, when apart.

   In London's Chinese colony an Englishman, who comes from the West End, visits the place daily, and goes from boarding house to boarding-house, giving lessons in English to Chinese seamen at 2s. a lesson. It is a remarkable fact that the Chinese colony has improved wonderfully in its

knowledge of English since the beginning of the year.

   But Mr. Winston Churchill will soon impose a test which the Chinese will find it

  difficult, to get over. Certificates will have to be  hown by them, proving their place of origin. Such certificates will bear the applicant's photograph, an impress of his right thumb, and a detailed, description of the man. If he cannot speak English, and cannot produce a certificate containing his own photograph and a description he will get no berth on a British vessel sailing from a port of the United Kingdom.

   It must be understood that the British sailor objects to the Chinaman on British ships only because he lowers the conditions of life there-the Britisher objects because the shipowner reduces wages and so on by means of the Chinaman.

 

 

15.05.1909; E.E.N.; ANTI-CHINESE AGITATION IN POPLAR.

 

 The anti-Chinese agitation which commenced on Saturday last in Poplar has been quietly but effectively carried on since then. No further attempts have been made to sign the Asiatics, and the five ships' crews engaged since Monday have been composed of Europeans. The presence of Mr. J. Havelock Wilson, M.P., the Union leader, has had a stimulating effect upon the white seamen, and they are determined to oppose the signing of the Asiatics whilst there are any unemployed left. The Board of Trade offices in East India Dock-road have been watched daily by-pickets of the National Sailors’ and Firemen's Union, no Chinese have appeared.

 On Tuesday, Mr. Havelock Wilson addressed a large meeting of seamen outside the Board of Trade offices and meetings were held at the docks.

 In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr. Winston Churchill informed Mr. J.H. Wilson that Chinese boarding-house keepers were not, and would not be, allowed access to the Board of Trade premises for the purpose of supplying crews of Chinamen. Any case in which sufficient evidence was available of a boarding-house keeper having supplied a crew, Chinese or otherwise, would be considered with the view to legal proceedings being taken under Sections 111 or 112 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

 Answering another question by Mr. J. H. Wilson,

 Mr. Churchill said his attention had been called to disturbances at Poplar on Saturday and Monday last in connection with the proposal to engage Chinese crews for the steamships Zambesi and Strathness. He understood that it was the case that the leading Seaman No.1 was unable to pass the language test. There was no legal obligation on owners to provide interpreters, but care was taken by the superintendent that the various clauses in the articles of agreement were explained to the seaman by some person competent to do so before they were engaged. He had nothing before him to prove that the crews referred to were supplied by Chinese crimps, but if any evidence of any infringement of Sections 111 or 112 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, was forthcoming, the question of instituting legal proceedings would be considered. He might add that the recent unusual increase in the number of Chinese' seamen shipped in United Kingdom ports required, and was receiving, prompt and searching attention, and must be regarded as a matter of serious concern.

  Mr. H. Wilson inquired whether the right hon. gentleman was aware that the Mercantile Marine Act provided that the articles should be read over to each seaman, and that it was the duty of the superintendent to see that each seaman understood them? Was the right hon. gentleman aware, also, of the fact that a No.1 fireman and leading seaman were

absolutely unable to explain the agreement, and would he take steps to provide an independent interpreter on every occasion when a Chinaman was engaged?

   Mr. Churchill: I will not commit myself to any statement of detail, as I have been short a time at the Board of Trade; but I am perfectly willing to give the House. the assurance that the law will be most strictly enforced.

 

 

 

 

20.11.1909 E.L.A. EAST LONDON OPIUM DENS.

TO BE ABOLISHED.

 

  On Jan. 1 next the London, County Council will be in a position to wipe out of, existence the opium dens in Limehouse which have long been the haunts of Chinese sailors visiting this country. To enable the County Council to do this and to otherwise safeguard seamen who from time to time have to seek lodgings in London, an Order in Councill is to be issued making it necessary that the keepers of all seamen's lodging-houses shall be licensed. The conduct of such houses is at present

regulated by the by-laws made by the Council in 1901 under section 214 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

  These by laws impose on the keepers of all the seamen's lodging-houses conditions as to cubic air space, ventilation, cleansing &o., and, in addition, give the Council further powers over licensed houses. It is

however, quite optional on the part of a keeper to apply for a licence, and during the time they have been in force only two Licences have been applied for, and one of these applications was withdrawn.

   The main advantage to be gained by licensing, would be better supervision of the structure of the house and of its sanitary condition. At present any house may be used as a seamen's lodging-house, irrespective of its structural suitability. If licensing were compulsorily, houses structurally unsuitable for the purpose would not be approved. Licensing powers would also give the council more control over the keepers personally, a material factor in the proper supervision of lodging-houses. As an instance of the need of some such control, the Public Health Committee mention that the Council has at present no

authority to prevent the employment of young girls in seamen'slodging-houses.

 

 

21.05.1910; E.L.A.; WILY CHINAMEN IN POPLAR

 

   A Chinaman, giving the name of Charlie King, a boarding-house keeper

for Chinese seamen, of 5, Pennyfields, Poplar, was summoned at Thames Police court On Friday, for allowing greater number of persons to sleep in his room than he was licensed to have; and also, for failing to keep in the rooms ticket showing the number of lodgers allowed to sleep therein.

  On behalf of the London County Council, Mr. Carter said when the

inspectors-visited defendant's premises at two o'clock on the morning of the 5th of April, they were unable to gain admission for some time, although   person was watching them from an upper window. When the door was opened one of the inspectors ran into the yard and a man only attire; in his vest and pants, disappearing over the wall. There were ten lodgers in the house when there should only have been five.

   On behalf of the defendant, Mr. Young contended that there were more lodgers in the house than were permitted by licence, and the man seen

going over the wall may have been after the chickens or rabbits as frequently happened in those parts.

 Mr. Dickenson: A man after chickens and rabbits may have taken off his boots but would hardly be simply attired his vest and pants at that hour of morning. (Laughter.)

  As defendant had been previously convicted, he was fined £7 and £2 6s costs.

 

 

09.05.1911; E.E.N. MURDEROUS FRACAS AMONG FOREIGN SAILORS.

 

CHINAMAN KILLED, ANOTHER WOUNDED.

 

   On Saturday night Poplar was startled by a terrible tragedy which has, at present, accounted for one life and placed another in jeopardy. The affray arose out of an altercation in Pennyfields. The vicinity is full of lodging-houses for sailors, many of them accommodating Chinese seamen.

About half-past nine on Saturday night half a dozen Chinese were standing outside a public house at the west end of Pennyfields, and two of them were talking to two young women, when there white men, thought to be either German or Scandinavian suitors, approached them. An altercation ensued, and Ah Fang and Me Tonk, two ship's stewards who had recently come ashore, alarmed at the attitude at the Scandinavians, retreated towards their lodging-house in Pennyfields, where they were joined by more of their race, The quarrel increased in heat, and I there was some jostling, and then knives were drawn, and Ah Fang and Me Tonk were stabbed,

As the former fell the Scandinavians made off, and as there were no police about at the time they got clear away. The injured men were

Carried into their lodging-house, and Dr. H. J. 0'Brien, the divisional police surgeon, was quickly on the scene, but could do nothing for Ah Fang

who had a deep wound in the side of the neck, the jugular vein having been severed, and he had died very quickly. Me Tonk was severely

wounded in the left side of the chest, and was unconscious, and his removal to Poplar Hospital was ordered. The police were quickly at work,

and Detective-inspectors Yeo and Burrell, with a number of officers, were soon scouring the district. A cordon of police was drawn round the Scandinavian Sailors' Home during Saturday night, and the inmates paraded, but without success, and the vessels in dock were also drawn

blank. Up till last night no arrest had been made.

 

 

26.05.1911; E.E.N.; THE, MURDER OF A CHINAMAN

 

RESUMED INQUEST AND VERDICT.

 

ALLEGED INTIMIDATION OF WITNESS.

 

   At the Poplar Coroner's Court on Tuesday, Mr. Wynne Baxter continued his inquiry into the death of Ah Ing, a ship's steward, who was stabbed to death in Pennyfields on the night of Saturday, the 6th of May last. Ang Sep Sepp a Scandinavian, Karl Hordern, and Washi Wali, Russian subjects, have been charged and remanded at the Thames police court with the murder of the deceased and also with the attempted murder another Chinaman, named Lee Fong.

    The police were again represented by Detective Inspector Yeo and Burrell.

    From the evidence previously given, it appears that three Chinamen were in the company of some young women, and when passing the house where the Chinamen lodged, 5 Pennyfields, the prisoners, it is alleged called out "rotten Chinese'," and made use of foul language. A fight ensued, in the course of which Ah Ing and Lee Fong were stabbed.  The former died

immediately after being carried into the lodging house. Lee Fong had to removed to Poplar Hospital, where he remained for several days. At the police station, Lee Fong subsequently identified Sep and Wall as two of the men who attacked them. At the last hearing and on Tuesday, the three women and other witnesses gave evidence, but there was some discrepancy as to which prisoner actually used the instrument which inflicted the injuries described by O'Brien, the divisional surgeon, but the majority of the witnesses agreed that the tallest of them, Ang was the man who used a knife. He was wearing a hard felt hat, and the other two caps.

It was stated that the dead man was known by the nickname of "Kiss me on my birthday”.

 Felix Tweed, schoolboy, living with his parents at No. 3 Pennyfields, said he should think there were seven Chinamen in the fight. He saw

the Scandinavian strike one of the Chinamen, but it was done so

quickly that he could not identify the man gain.

   Lee Fong was recalled. and evidence he had previously given was read over. He added that after the foreigners called them names, he said, “You be quiet,” and one of the men came towards him struck him on the chest.

   The coroner called Catherine 0'Shea into the court, and the witness denied that he knew her. She replied, “don’t know me-rubbish!”

   Detective Inspector Yeo.-She knows him, Sir, and also his nick name.

   The Coroner (to O’Shea).-What is his nick-name?

O’Shea. –“Katie, buy me chocolates”

   (loud laughter).

   A juror.—These Chinamen seem to be afraid to tell the truth; can't they be punished if they don't?

   The Coroner’s officer.—I expect they are punishment outside.

   The Coroner's officer.—O'Shea has been threatened.

   The-Coironer. I am not at all surprised.

   The witness continuing, said did know he was stabbed at the time.

   He saw Ah lng at 5 o'clock at 5 Pennyfelds and did not see him again until he lying on the couch, after he had been stabbed himself.

   By the jury.—Witness said he was in the fight himself.

   Joseph Bernard Hirsch, 8 Pennyfields a cellarman, deposed that On Saturday the 6th of May, about 9.30., he was sitting outside  is house, which is nearly opposite No. 5.  His attention was first attracted by hearing shouting further up the street. He saw people running, and when

they got outside No. 5, he saw one of the Chinamen strike one of the foreigners.

   The Coroner.—That is the first you have

 said about foreigners; tell us who running?

   Witness.—Some Scandinavians, I believe, and several Chinese.

   The Coroner.—Yes; what next?

   Witness.—They all appeared, to be fighting, and went along the street doing so towards West India Dock road. Some other Chinamen came to the assistance of their companions. Witness saw two of the foreigners run away, whilst one continued fighting with one Chinaman, and then, ran away. On the 9th of May witness was shown fifteen men at Limehouse Pollice

 Station and picked out three men who he believed were in the fight. He

Was afterwards told that two of the three were in custody.

   The foreman of the jury.—What did the Chinaman strike the foreigner with?.

   Witness.—His fist.

  The foreman.—This is the first time I have heard a Chinaman fights with

his fist.

   William Hard, of 13 Padstow place Limehouse, a stevedore, stated that he was standing at the top Of Limehouse Causeway with a man named Jimmy Barnes when Kate O'Shea, whom he knew, came up, and said that three men were runing after her. Witness and Barnes went into Pennyfields, and saw a bit of a "shamozzle" outside No. 5. A young woman was pushing some one away. He could not say whether it was a Chinaman or who it was. Three foreigners came running towards them.

   The Coroner.-Where did they run to

   Witness.—To "Charlie Brown’s.

   The Coroner.—Where next?

   Witness—They ran down Garford street and disappeared.

   In reply to the Coroner, witness said two of the men were wearing dark clothes and one a light suit. The biggest man had a cap, the other two bowlers. On the following morning (Sunday), witness was present at the Scandinavian Home, Garford street, when all the inmate's were put up for identification but he failed to recognise any of them. On Tuesday

witness attended at Limehouse Police station, and picked out “Hordern” as

one of the men.

   Chu Ho -gave evidence, and said that he did not see any of his friends strike Ah Ing in the neck. He did not see any knife.

   By the Coroner. Witness had since seen the man at Limehouse Police station who first struck Lee Fong and then Ah Ing.

   Orditz Borg, a temporary porter at the Scandinavian Home, stated that on the night of the affray he saw three men rush into the Home, one of whom he had since recognised amongst the prisoners.

   John Edward Nettle, of the Scandinavian Home. Garford Street, employed as a porter, said that on the night in question he left the Home about 6 o’clock. About 9.30 he was passing through Pennyfields and called at Mr. Owens the tobacconist, and made at purchase. He went on towards West India Dock road

and saw some people, outside No.5 Pennyfields, and a man running away. Witness lost sight of him. He then went straight to the Scandinavian Home, and learnt for the first time that a Chinaman had been killed.

   The Coroner. —Where did you next see the same man again?

   Witness. -,On Tuesday, the 9th, at the Limehouse Police Station.

   The Coroner. —You saw a number of men there?

   Witness. —Yes, sir.

   The Coroner. —Did you point the Man out?

   Witness. —Yes, sir.

  The.  Coroner proceeded to question the the witness on several points in connection with a statement he had made to, the police and signed, which he now denied.

   The Coroner. —You must have made those statements; they could not be

imagined. Are you afraid of anything you may say?

   Witness made no reply.

   Inspector Yeo. I may mention, Mr. Coroner, that this witness said he did not wish to be dragged into the case.

   The Coroner. —I shall certainly make a note  n my depositions, and the Judge may have something to say to you.

   The witness, further pressed, admitted that he saw the same man at breakfast, at the Home on Sunday morning, and that he was wearing the same clothes as he had on in Pennyfields on the previous night. The man was pock-marked.

   In reply to a juror, witness denied that he had been intimidated by anyone, or that it would be detrimental to him in any way for giving evidence.

   At this stage the Coroner informed the jury that there were till a large number of witnesses to give evidence, and read the purport of their statements. It was practically repetition, and expressing doubt about identity.

   The foreman of the jury remarked he thought that nearly all the witnesses had, been intimidated, or got at in some way or the other.

   The Coroner. -I must point out that we are not trying these men; all we have to do is to decide whether they ought to be put on their trial or not.

   It was decided to dispense with the evidence of the witnesses mentioned, and called Divisional Detective Inspector Albert Yeo, of the K division, who is in charge of the case. He said, in the course of his evidence, that he visited,5 Pennyfields on the night of the crime, and saw the dead body of Ah Ing lying on the couch, with stab wound below the right ear, and a cut on various articles of his clothing corresponding with the stab. He also saw the wounded man, Lee Fong, who was suffering from a similar wound in the chest, which necessitated his removal to the hospital. Witness next detailed the inquiries made by himself and Detective Inspector Burrell, and the subsequent arrest of three prisoners. When their clothing was examined, no blood marks were found. At the Home, in a chest of drawers in room 34, some clothing (produced)

belonging to A. Sepp, witness also found two hard felt hats in the room. One was claimed by Sepp, and one by Hordern. The clothing was examined by Dr. O’Brien the divisional surgeon. -Witness was present at the police station when the several prisoners were identified by the various witnesses who had given evidence. The prisoner Wali admitted being at the spot. He said, "I was there, but I had nothing to do with it; you have the wrong man.” In reply to a juror, witness said that no instrument had not been found.

   The Coroner reviewed the evidence at great length, and said that if a man used a knife in a fight, and some one was killed it was a case of “murder.” As far as the deceased was concerned, he was not was apparently, engaged in the fight, and therefore they must presume that whoever stabbed him must have been slashing about in a most reckless manner. The evidence was very difficult to understand from the Chinese witnesses and the others

did not seem anxious to tell what they knew. He (the Coroner) hoped that in the interests of justice, the latter would alter. their mind before the case came on for trial, and give a truthful account of what they really saw.

 The jury retired, and after an absence of ten minutes, returned a verdict of Wilful Murder" against Aug Sepp, who was accordingly committed for trial on the Coroner's warrant.

 

 

 

23.05.1911; E.E.N.; CHINESE LODGING-HOUSE

 

   On Friday At Thames police-Court, Pow Sang, Chinaman of Pennyfie1ds, Poplar, was summoned for keeping a seaman’s lodging-house without a license.

   Inspector Hitchmough one of the London County Council's officers stated that on March 24 he inspected it 51 Pennyfields, which was licensed until December 31. The witness went there at 12.55 a.m. On the second floor, in the front room he found three man asleep; two men in the second floor back room, three men in the first floor front room, and two men in the back room on the first floor. The defendant said the men had only just come from Glasgow, and it was too late to go to Asiatic Home. The defendant had since given up the premises.

   By Mr. Young the defendant had applied for a license for 46 Pennyfields. No one could get into the Asiatic Home after it was closed at night.

   Mr. Young said that while not disputing the facts, he submitted that the two occasions mentioned did not make the house a lodging house.

   Mr. Dickinson fined the defendant £5 and £1 1s. costs.

 

 

16.04.1912, E.E.N,. LIMEHOUSE CHINESE V. POLICE

 

AFFRAY WITH. KNIVES AND REVOLVERS

 

POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS.

 

something approaching pandemonium prevailed in the Limehouse Causeway and Pennyfields, Poplar, on Saturday evening, owing to a feud existing among some of the Chinese population taking violent shape. The affair really commenced a day or two previously, when one of the Chinamen living in the locality was badly wounded by couple of his countrymen. As a result, Wong Ming and Ah Sing, of Pennyfields, Poplar, were charged at Thames Police-court on Saturday, with being concerned together in feloniously cutting and wounding My Yong.

Mr. Phelps prosecuted.

Police-constable 862 K said on Friday evening he saw the prosecutor running towards Birchfield Street followed by several Chinamen. At the corner of the latter street the two prisoners came up and Ming “slashed" at him with a knife, while the other prisoner struck him across the head

with an iron bar. When the witness arrived on the scene the prisoners ran away, but were subsequently arrested.

Constable 1032 K corroborated, and said when arrested Ah Sing produced an iron bar from his left sleeve.

The prosecutor, whose head was heavily bandaged, said he was the proprietor of a lodging house in Limehouse Causeway. On Friday evening he came out of West India Dock-road ran towards Birchfield-Street pursued by-prisoners and others. He was attacked by accused with a knife and iron bar.

Both the prisoners were committed for trial at the London County Sessions.

As a consequence of the above case, wild scenes were witnessed in Limehouse Causeway for several hours on Saturday night. It appears that a number of Chinamen raided several Oriental lodging-houses in Limehouse Causeway, and two others situate in Pennyfields, where some time ago a Chinaman was done to death by foreign sailors. The result was that there was an enormous commotion, followed by wild rushes out of the premises, and leading to extraordinary scenes of violence. Rival factions as they emerged into the streets used choppers, knives, and other weapons.

In the melee in Limehouse Causeway several of the Chinamen fired revolvers, and in the midst of the rioting twelve constables arrived from the neighbouring Police-station in West India Dock-road. Their appearance caused the Chinamen to disperse. and, like rabbits running to their holes they rushed in various houses.  They left lying unconscious in the roadway one Chinaman who was bleeding from a large gash on the left side of the head, his ear being nearly severed. He was promptly attended to by a local medical man, and removed to London Hospital. The police raided the houses where some of those concerned had sought refuge, and took a number of them into custody.

About an hour later, a woman was heard screaming in Limehouse Causeway, and several policemen, rushing to the scene, found four Chinamen surrounding another

of their countrymen and striking him about the head with hammers. The officers in turn were attacked by other Chinamen and in the general excitement the men referred to managed to escape. There, were rumours that some of, the men provoking the trouble were members of a secret society hailing from Liverpool, and known as “The White Lily."

Concerning the secret society, it is interesting to relate that that of “The White Lily” extends over the whole of China, and Wherever Chinamen may settle there will be found members of the same, one of the rules of " The White Lily" is that whenever a-certain course of action is decided upon against an individual or individuals, there is no rest or peace for

those upon whom has devolved the order to carry into effect the edict issued. In strength the “White Lily" Society is said to far exceed, that of the Masonic Order the wide world over.

With regard to the outbreak of Friday and Saturday evening, there can be no question but that it arose almost directly out of the recent raid upon a gambling den the Causeway. One of the most prominent of the Chinamen in Limehouse some considerable time ago married the of the wife of a well-known police officer, and this individual was apparently suspected of acting the part of informer in this and other matters, and hence the existing feud.

Then, again, on Saturday morning nearly a score of Celestials arrived from Liverpool bent, it was well-known, upon avenging the conviction of the owners of. the place upon which the raid was made by police, and of the others concerned, and a good deal of excitement was caused by their arrival about mid-day on Saturday, particularly as some difference arose between them and carman who brought their luggage from the goods depot. Some of these individuals possessed, among other weapons, old-fashioned battle-axes, and when the Melee occurred on Saturday night, they emerged with these upon mischief bent.

Happily, the police had some knowledge of the impending trouble, and when John Chinaman began to run amuck, he found himself fully matched by the police, who did not scruple to handle them with Vigour. Some of the men are well-known to English traders in the locality.

Yesterday two stalwart, black-haired Chinamen, dressed in typical blue seamen's suits, were first placed in the dock at Thames Police Court, their names being given as Chang Hop and Ah Hou. They were charged with wounding a fellow countryman, Chang Sing, by striking him with iron instruments.

They were defended by Mr Young.

The opening of the scenes of violence at seven o'clock on Saturday night was described by P.C. Townley, who said that he was on duty in Limehouse Causeway, when everything was apparently quiet. Suddenly, as Chang Sing came riding through the causeway on a bicycle, Chang Hop rushed out of a house and struck Sing on the head with a bar of iron. The bar, a formidable weapon, about a foot and a half long, bound round with canvas and cord at one end, was produced in court. P.C. Townley went on to say that the effect of the blow was to knock Chang Sing off the machine, and Hop fell over after delivering the blow. Notwithstanding his injury, Chang Sing sprang to his feet, and ran off towards West India Dock road.

The story was continued by another police-officer. He told that, as Chang

Sing was running away, with blood streaming from the wound on his head, Ah Hou met him with a hammer (a large new instrument), and felled him to the ground striking him on the back of the head.

Mr. Young put questions suggesting that the injured man Chang Sing was inciting other Chinamen to assault Chang Hop and Ah Kou, the two prisoners.

The constables said they did not hear or see anything of the sort.

In addition to the hammer and the “prepared” bar of iron, other, weapons

Were produced in court. They were an ugly long-bladed dagger, and a two-foot-long iron file bound round, at one end in similar in a manner similar to that of the bar of iron. The police-constable said they were found in the possession of Ah Hou at the police station. On Hop was found a whistle popularly known as a “police whistle” attached to a bunch of keys.

Dr. O'Brien told that Chang Sing had a severe scalp wound and contusions on his back.

Both were remanded.

Mr. Young made formal application for bail.

The magistrate said he thought they were better in custody.

Mr. Young: Well, I think so, too.

 

20.04.1912. E.L.A. LIMEHOUSE STREET FIGHT.

 

SEVERAL INJURED

 

A serious outbreak amongst some Chinamen, in which revolvers, knives,

and hammers were used, occurred in Limehouse Causeway on Saturday night.

It is said that a number of members of a secret society Of Chinamen, which has its headquarters in Liverpool, had been sent to London in consequence of certain disclosures made at the police court recently by one of their own nationality in connection with a gaming charge. The police were apprised of a possible, disturbance, and a strong force of constables were "told off” to patrol the locality

At about 8 o'clock a fight among the Chinamen was started, and revolver

axes, hammers, heavy brass rods, and knives were used. Several of the combatants were wounded and one had to be taken to Poplar Infirmary. The police made seven arrests.

There was a sequel to the riots on Monday, when several Chinamen were

charged at the Thames Police Court. Two of them Chang Hop and Ah Kow—were

charged with felonious wounding.

A constable said he was in Limehouse Causeway at seven o'clock on Saturday night, when he saw a Chinaman named Chang Sing riding through the Causeway on a bicycle. Chang Hop rushed out from a house and struck the cyclist from his machine with a blow on the head with the iron bar produced. Prosecutor regained. his legs, and ran up the road, and witness

at once took Hop into custody. Before, Chang Sing could get clear away he was further assaulted by a crowd of Chinamen who rushed out of the neighbouring houses.

Witness said that at the station he found on Ah Kow the dagger produced (a murderous looking instrument, nine inches long) and a file with a rag wrapped round the end to act as a handle.

On the application of the police, the accused were remanded until Friday.

Ah Chong, it was stated, was using a curious looking weapon which an officer stated was well known among the Boxers. It consisted of a short iron bar with a peculiar up-turned cross for the hilt which was swathed in red cloth. He was fined 20s. or seven days.

Ming Yung was stated to have run among the crowd flourishing large new

Axe. He was fined, 20s or seven days.

Chou Chai, who had been put back, was bound over to keep the peace.

Dong Tong, who ran aboüt with a hammer, was ordered to find a surety to

be of good behaviour for six months.

 

20.04.1912 E.L.A. WONG MING AND All SING ASSAULT NY YONG.

 

  Wong Ming and Ah. Sing, of Pennyfields, Poplar, were charged at Thames Police. Court on .Monday with being concerned together in feloniously cutting and wounding Ny Yung.

  'Mr._ Phelps prosecuted.

Police-constable 862K said on Friday evening he saw the prosecutor running towards Birchfield Street followed by several Chinamen. At the corner of the latter street the two prisoners came up and Ming "slashed" at him with a knife, while, the other prisoner struck him across the head with an iron bar. When the witness, arrived on the scene the prisoners _ran! away, but were subsequently arrested., Constable 1032K corroborated, and said, when arrested Ah Sing produced an iron bar from his left sleeve.

  The prosecutor, whose head was heavily bandaged, said he was the proprietor of a lodging-house in Limehouse Causeway. On Friday evening he came out of West India Dock Road and ran towards Birchfield Street pursued by prisoners and others. He was attacked by accused with a knife and iron bar. Both the prisoners were committed for trial at the London County Sessions.

 

30.04.1912 E.E.N. The Turbulent Chinese.

 

NAUTICAL PROGRESS AND WHITE LILY SOCIETIES BURY THE HATCHET

 

  It is understood that at length peace has been proclaimed amongst the various factions of the Chinese population in the Limehouse Causeway and Pennyfields, and that they have, figuratively speaking "buried the hatchet." That the disturbing elements have for a time been quietened

is undoubtedly true, and indeed the extra police placed on duty in the affected area have been taken off, and a placid calm prevails in the Causeway, not even now relived by the measured tread of special police, and to judge by the stolid countenances of the impenetrable Celestials, one would almost imagine that they were about the most amiable and peaceful people—as indeed, they are towards English people— on the face of the earth.

   There is only one matter which bears an ugly look, and we commend this to the attention of the police. Recently quite a number of Chinamen have been purchasing firearms, and they have been heard inquiring in local ost Offices if they can be supplied with a license "for pistol." The “Lilies," apparently, even though at peace, are not quite so white as they are being painted.

 

30.04.1912 E.E.N. The Turbulent Chinese.

 

NAUTICAL PROGRESS AND WHITE LILY SOCIETIES BURY THE HATCHET

 

  It is understood that at length peace has been proclaimed amongst the various factions of the Chinese population in the Limehouse Causeway and Pennyfields, and that they have figuratively speaking "buried the hatchet." That the disturbing elements have for a time been quiet is undoubtedly true, and indeed the police placed on duty in the affected area have been taken off, and a placid calm prevails in the Causeway, not even now relieved by the measured tread of special police, and to judge by the stolid countenances of the impenetrable Celestials, on would almost imagine that they were about the most amiable and peaceful people on the face of the earth.

   There is only one matter which bears an ugly look, and we commend this to the attention of the police. Recently quite a number of Chinamen have been purchasing firearms, and they have been heard inquiring in local Post Offices if they can be supplied with a license "for pistol.”

  The ”Lilies," apparently, even though at peace, are not quite so white as they are being painted.

 

04.05.1912 E.L.A. EAST END WARFARE.

 

Charged with engaging in a common affray, eleven Chinamen appeared at

Thames Police Court on Saturday. Their names were: Li Ching, Chi On, Won Men, etc.

Mr. W. L. Sanders, for the Commissioner of Police, said that for some time there had been unrest among the Chinese in the East End, and disorderly scenes had resulted. On April 18th there was a general melee in West India Dock-road, the weapons used being hammers and iron bars purchased for the occasion. One man had a revolver. About thirty policemen had to quell the disorder.

Three batches of prisoners were already awaiting trial, and the riots, which arose out of a dispute between rival organisations, the Nautical Progress Society and White Lily Society of China, had caused great alarm and excitement. No fewer than 120 iron bars had been purchased by the antagonists for the purpose of injuring their rivals.

Mr. Robinson, who defended six of the prisoners, said the affrays would now cease. The leaders of each party had met and agreed that no further attacks should be made, and their word could be relied upon. Already fifteen Chinamen had been sent on their way to Amsterdam, and others were going to sea. The Secretary of the Nautical Progress Society, whose life had been threatened, was prepared to swear that the disturbances would now cease.

Mr. Dickinson said he was not so much concerned for the antagonists’ welfare, for the public, who went about risking a crack on the head with a hatchet.

The men were remanded for a week pending the result of the trial of several Chinamen at the Old Baily

 

07.05.1912 E.E.N. THE TROUBLE IN LIMEHOUSE CHINATOWN.

 

Eleven Chinamen were brought upon remand at Thames police-court on Saturday, before Mr. Dickinson, to further answer a charge of disorderly conduct and with being engaged in a common affray.

 For some time past there has been serious disturbances among the Chinese living in and frequenting the West India Dock-road, and those engaged in these riots were, it was stated, members of rival societies. On April 18 there was a general melee in the West India Dock road, among the accused and other Chinamen, who were armed with revolvers, hammers, iron bars, knuckle dusters, and other implements.

 Mr. Barker, who prosecuted on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, now said that several men had been tried at the Sessions on a similar charge, and on their promising to go to sea or leave the country at once they were all bound over. The Commissioner of Police would be quite satisfied if he (the learned magistrate) would adopt a similar course. Defendants had already been in prison 14 or 15 days.

 Mr. Dickinson then bound each defendant over in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for 12 months.

 

 

07.05 1912 E.E.N. THE TROUBLE IN LIMEHOUSE CHINATOWN.

 

  Eleven Chinamen were brought up on remand at Thames police-court on Saturday, before Mr. Dickinson, to further answer a charge of disorderly conduct and with being engaged in a common affray.

  For some time past there has been serious disturbances among the Chinese living in and frequenting the West India Dock-road, and those engaged in these riots were, it was stated, members of rival societies. On April 18 there was a general melee in the West India Dock among the accused and other Chinamen, who were armed with revolvers, hammers, iron

bars, knuckle dusters, and other implements.

 Mr. Barker, who prosecuted on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, now said that several men had been tried at the Sessions on a similar charge, and on their promising to go to sea or leave the country at once they were all bound over. The Commissioner of Police would be quite satisfied if he (the learned magistrate) would adopt a similar course. Defendants had already been in prison 14 or 15 days.

 Mr. Dickinson then bound each defendant over in the sum of £10 to keep the peace for 12 months.

 

SCENE LAST (MONDAY) EVENING.

 

Yesterday and last night, anticipating further street scenes, hundreds of persons found their way to Limehouse Causeway and Pennyfields, but up to nine o'clock the Chinamen remained peaceful, having apparently a very wholesome respect for the strong body of police present, ready to deal with them should they run riot again.

 

 

02.01.1914 John Chinaman

 

John Chinaman, of Limehouse Causeway and Pennyfields, was an unhappy man on the last night of the old year, as the police placed a bar upon the letting off of fire-works.

What this meant only those who have Seen in the old year I those thoroughfares

Can conceive, as it was the practise of the Chinamen to spend large sums of money in the purchase of fireworks. They were Chiefly of the squib and cracker order, but They were of a very elaborate character, some of them costing as much as a Sovereign and 30s. each, and On so extensive a scale was the new year welcomed that the Causeway would be found smothered with the fragments that remained.

Until last year the Chines New Year fell A few weeks later than ours, but when the Manchu dynasty was deposed, among other Things the Chinaman did, in addition to Abolishing his pig-tail, was to ordain that his new year should synchronise with the European calendar. This year our Limehouse

Causeway friends were minus their Fireworks. But they kept “open house” and I am told by “one was there,” drank Copiously of special “blends.” Despite this, not an inebriated “chink” was to be Seen; indeed, a drunken Chinaman is a Rarely seen as a defunct donkey.

 

 

04.07.1914 E.L.A. IN OPIUM DENS 

 

Kwong Tai, of Pennyfield Street, Poplar, was summoned at Thames Police Court for unlawfully selling opium, which was a poison in Part 1 of the Pharmacy Act, 1908, and which was. not distinctly labelled 'Poison." together with, the name and address of the seller, also for neglecting to enter in a book the terms set forth in the schedule. The proceedings were instituted by Mr. Walter Flook, on behalf of the Pharmaceutical. Society of Great Britain. and said defendant kept a boarding house. He sold the opium to their inspector. The latter brought a 4 oz, tin, for which he paid 18s.6d. The wholesale price of opium was 12s.6d. The article was sold to the inspector by a young man, under the direction of the defendant.

On behalf of the latter, Mr. Downe said his client was not present at the time. The opium was for his own private consumption. In reply to the Magistrate, the inspector said, he was positive defendant was present when the purchase was made. He was lying on a bed smoking opium.

Mr. Leycester imposed a penalty of 20s. and 2s costs.

Wong Ku Chong, Limehouse Causeway Was summoned for a similar offence.

The inspector proved purchasing the article, which was in a tin, from the defendant. By Mr. A. A. Robinson, a Chinaman took him to the defendant, but witness did not stop him in the street. Witness said he wanted the opium for a friend for a sample, and the defendant did not say he did not sell opium. Defendant poured the opium into a tin. Witness paid with a

sovereign and got 1s. change.

For the defendant Mr. Robinson said his client did not ask for any money, and the inspector left £l Mr. Leycester fined the defendant £5 and £2 2s. cost.

 

 

22.12.1914; E.E.N; Lost. – a Chinese boy

 

LOST. -A CHINESE BOY by the name of Gee Ching. Last seen in the West End. Age 14. height about 40ft., dressed in grey suit, hair cut short. A

reward of £1 will be paid to any person Bringing the above to Chong   Yon Shing, 47 High-street, Poplar.

 

 

13.03.1915; E.L.O. A Chinese Farewell Gathering.

 

   On Saturday evening last there was a unique gathering in the Chinese Settlement at Limehouse. The scene of the assembly was Chung Chu's Restaurant, 25, Limehouse Causeway, and the event was a farewell dinner to the proprietor of the establishment, who is about to start for a six

Months’ holiday in the land of his birth.

  This celestial of the East, who has resided in the district for the past ten years, has gained the esteem and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, and, like, many of his fellow countrymen in the district, he has become a member of the Ancient Order of Druids. Therefore, it was not surprising to note several prominent brethren of the Order among those assembled at the festive board. This unique gathering was ably presided over by P.A. F. Russell Hill, D.G.T. (of the “Steam Packet,” Park Lane, Limehouse”, while among those supporting him were P.A. A Crawley (District Grand Arch,) P.A. P.B., W. Chandler, Bro. A. T. Hart, P.B. Bro Stanley Coleman, P.H.G. and Bro W. Meng Heng.

By the way, his latter brother is the only Chinaman in E. London that has held office in the A.O.D., he having fulfilled the position of Honorary

Guardian of the Cape of Good Hope Lodge, and Bro. Meng Heng is much respected among the Druids of Limehouse. A member of the Chinese Embassy was also present the dinner. Bro. Chung Chu has been placed in possession of the international password of the Order by the Grand Lodge, as it may prove useful to him when arrives in China.

   At the conclusion of the dinner, Bro Russell Hill proposed "The Health of Bro. Chung Chu," remarking that it afforded him considerable pleasure to be present as chairman of that gathering. He (Mr. Hill) said he had known that gentleman for past eight years, and during that time had found him a most genial and courteous neighbour. He trusted that he (Bro. Chung

Chu) would have a very pleasant voyage and that his holiday in China would prove to be a most happy and enjoyable one. (Hear, hear). Bro. Hill concluded his remarks by asking all present to drink to good health and prosperity of their brother Druid.

  The toast having been enthusiastically drunk, Bro. Chung Chu briefly responded, thanking Bro. Hill for his kind remarks.

  A vote of thanks having been accorded Bro. Hill for so ably presiding, the pleasant proceedings were brought to a close.

 The catering for the dinner was most satisfactorily carried out, the following being the menu:-

  1.—Yen Wo Kau (bird nest).

  2.—Wo-Far Jok (rice birds whole fried).

  3.-Tang Kao (mushrooms stewed).

  4.—Chun Ab (stuffed duck, whole, with Mandarin peel).

  5.—Kay Kao  (chicken dropes with mush rooms, etc.)

  6.—Chan Nayu Sz (sliced beef fried with bamboo shoots).

  7.—Fruit.

  8.-Egg puddings.

  The dinner was served in true Chinese style, each guest being provided with a set of chop sticks.

 

 

13.03.1915; E.L.A.; A CHINESE FAREWELL DINNER.

 

HAPPY GATHERING AT LIMEHOUSE.

 

  One of the most Interesting and unique functions it has ever been my

lot to attend, writes a representative of "The East London Advertiser," took place on Saturday evening last. It was a farewell dinner given by Chong Chu, restaurant keeper, of 25, Limehouse Causeway, to a few personal friends, preparatory to his leaving for an extended tour of six months in China. Most of the guests were members of the 465 Lodge of the Ancient Order of Druids, and in this connection, it is worthy of note that Chong, Chu is the only known Chinaman in England who is Past Honorary Guardian of the Order, and the only Chinaman who is in possession of the International Druidical password.

  Among the company were Bros. A. Crawley, D.G. Arch; F. Russell Hill,

P.A. District Grand Trustee, the popular proprietor of "The Steam Packet," Park Place, Limehouse, Meng Heng, P.H.G., A. T. Hart, P.B,  W. Chandler P.A., Stanley Coleman, P.G., and a member of the Chinese Embassy.

  The dinner, which was served in truly Oriental fashion, was a revelation of the culinary art, and even if some of the guests found a difficulty in wending the peculiar chop sticks, that in no way detracted from the enjoyment of the tasty dishes provided. Some of China's rarest and most succulent courses were selected and served in a manner which left nothing to be desired, even by the most fastidious diner. Yen Wo Kan, birds’ nests soup, is calculated to tempt the palate of any who have never previously tried it, but that was only the Introduction to a host of good things. To the uninitiated the appearance of a dish of small birds fried whole, might cause some diversion, but all doubt is at once

removed when rice birds, or Wo Far Jek have been tasted. Following in

regular succession came stewed mushrooms (Jong Kao), duck stuffed whole

with mandarin peels (Chu Ab), chicken drapes with mushrooms, etc. (Kay Kao) beef sliced fried with bamboo shoot, etc. (Chan Naju Yuk Sz), and fruits and pudding eggs. To say that they were appetising is to say the least, for they are cooked by a method which no English or French chef is versed in. Altogether it was a most unique and enjoyable experience and each of the guests was loud in praise of the fare placed before him.

   Wonderment may be expressed by some as to how it is possible to dispense with the conventional knife and fork in favour of two small chop sticks thinner in circumference than an ordinary lead pencil and slightly longer. The solution is found in the fact that the dishes are prepared in such a way that cutting is scarcely ever necessary. They are as tender and succulent as one could wish.

   During the evening Mr. F. Russel Hill, in a brief speech, explained the nature of the gathering and said he was sure they would all join with him in wishing their host a safe voyage and a speedy return to his old friends and acquaintances.

    The toast was honoured in no uncertain manner, and a most pleasant evening terminated by the singing of final chorus in Druidism, "Brothers all Farewell."

    In the absence of the proprietor, the restaurant is left in charge of Chong Chang, manager, and Cheung Bold, the cashier.

 

 

27.03.1915 Chinese Minister at Limehouse.

 

  The Chinese Minister, his Excellency Sao Ke Alfred Sze, is taking a great interest just now in  he well-being of the large population which constitutes the Chinese colony in Limehouse, many of whom are seriously affected, directly or indirectly, by the War. A large proportion of these

are sailors, whose quarters are in the numerous lodging-houses in the locality, while others are students and shopkeepers. His Excellency paid a visit to Limehouse on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Mr. Jame, a Chinese student prominently associated with the work of the Salvation Army in the district, and was conducted over a number of the dwellings, and later addressed a meeting of about three hundred Chinese at the Salvation Army Mission Hall in Pennyfields, West India Dock road, where a school is held at which English is taught to a large number of Chinese.

His Excellency expressed himself highly pleased with what he had seen, and said he was about to form a Committee with the object of giving assistance to seamen who had suffered from the effects of the War. He earnestly appealed to his fellow-countrymen to live peacefully and strictly obey the law of England.

 

 

20.03.1915; E.L.A.; CHONG CHU, RESTAURANT KEEPER, 25, LIMEHOUSE CAUSEWAY

 

   Begs to announce that he is taking a six month's tour in China leaving

his establishment in charge of CHONG CHAN, manager, and CHEUNG BOLD, cashier.

 

Business will be conducted on the same lines during absences.

 

 

27.11.1915; E.L.A.; RAID ON LIMEHOUSE GAMING DEN.

 

SOME HEAVY FINES

 

  Before Mr. Allan James Lawrie at the London Sessions on Wednesday

three Chinamen, Wong Koie Chong, 35, grocer; Wong Sing, 38, cook; and

Chong You, 35, Manager, pleaded not guilty to having been concerned in keeping a gaming house in Limehouse Causeway.

   Mr. Comyns Carr explained that Chinese sailors appeared to take great

pleasure in playing a certain game called "Fan-tan." Chong was the proprietor of the premises in question ostensibly   small shop, but the chine object, it was suggested, of its existence was to allow "Fan-tan" to he played, the game taking place in a room behind the shop.

    Eventually, on the night of October 15, Superintendent Boxall raided the premises under a search warrant. At the time money was being counted on the table. It was, said counsel, no doubt a very profitable enterprise from the point of view of the proprietor and principal, as the police found in various parts of the premises English money totalling just under £300 and nearly £50 in dollar. In addition, was a pass-book showing that during the current year Chong had paid into the local bank no less than £2,800.

  Wong Sing said that he did not know how to gamble. "I am only a cook,

he pleaded.”

 

 

27.05.1916; E.L.A.; RIOT AT LIMEHOUSE CHINATOWN.

 

 SEQUEL TO RAID ON EAST-END GAMBLING DEN.

 

   A wild scene, but one of a not unusual character in the neighbourhood,

occurred in "Chinatown,” East End, on Tuesday night as a sequel to police raid on a Chinese gambling den in Pennyfieids, a sordid thoroughfare off West India Dock Road.

   There was no shooting or stabbing, as has happened on more than one occasion, but bottles, hammers, and other dangerous weapons were wielded and thrown about, and several men, Chinamen and, English seamen, were

injured, but no one seriously.

   Considerable damage was done to property, and many windows were

smashed by the rioters

  A crowd of about 200 gathered in Pennyfields, and a strong force of police was present, and succeeded in restoring some degree of order and in arresting some half a dozen of the rioters, who were detained at West,

India Dock Road Police Station. One man had a revolver, and the Chinamen all carried formidable looking knives.

   Earlier in the day, eleen persons four principals and seven frequents had been arrested in the gambling house. The house at which the arrests were made has an inscription outside "Tea and Dining Rooms,” and the,

prisoners were brought through a door labelled "First-class Room upstairs” Superintendent Boxhall stated afterwards that this was one of a number of raids made on Chinese gambling houses in the district. Many of the Chinese, he said, had white women as wives, and there are thousands living in the neighbourhood. Disturbances, are frequent, and knives and daggers are often used in street fights in Pennyfields and the surrounding districts.

 

AT THE POLICE COURT.

 

   Wong Ho, Way Kow, Tau Hi, and Chow Tuck, Chinamen, were charged before Mr. Wilberforce, at the Thames Police Court on Wednesday with keeping and managing a shop in Pennyfields, Poplar, as a gaming house, and seven other Chinamen were charged with using the premises for the purpose of gaming.

   Superintendent Boxall, K Division, deposed that the house in question

was a tobacconist's shop in the occupation of Wong Ho. In a back room he saw the defendants round a table, on which were money, beads, slips, a cup and pointer. In front of him. The two articles were used for playing Fan Tan. Way Kow acted as banker. Hi was croupier, and had the cup and

pointer in front of him. At various points of the table were black and

white beads, which represented cash. On the table was 4£ 16s. 6d. in silver, and 4s.4d in bronze, also a quantity of Chinese money. Chow Tuck was doorkeeper. Altogether, said the witness he found £87 6s. and on Way

Ho was £21. As much as £2 and £3 was staked at a time by the players.

   Mr. Wilberforce fined Wong Ho £50. Way Kow £10, Tau Hi £10, and Chow Tuck £4. The other defendants bound over not to frequent gaming houses.

 

 

30.05.1916; E.E.N. "CHINATOWN” LAWSUIT.

 

"THE SIGN OF THE CROSS”

 

     There was a big gathering of Chinese in Mr.Justice Younger's Court, in the Chancery Division on Friday, when Kai Chong defended an action by Mrs. Musgrave for specific performance of an agreement by him to purchase

a 50 years lease of a house in Limehouse Causeway for £245.

  Chong repudiated the agreement on the ground that he could not understand English, and believed that he was buying the freehold, He also

said that in addition to paying a deposit of £24 10s. he gave the plaintiff's agent a diamond worth £40, as part of the purchase price. He counter-claimed for the return of the ring and deposit, and asked that the contract shou1d be set aside.

  Mr. P.W. Cleave, agent for the plaintiff, in his evidence, said that the premises in question were in the middle of the Chinese quarter of London. In the summer of last year, they were occupied by a Polish barber named Granet. Chong came to the witness about them, and, told Chong he could have a 50 years' lease' for £250, and a ground rent of £5 a year. Chong

Offered £200, which was not accepted. Then there was a lengthy conversation about various matters, and Chong took a diamond ring off his

finger and offered to sell it to the witness for£45. Tile witness refused to give more £37 10s. which was refused.

  There were other interviews, and eventually Chong agreed to pay £245 for the lease. Not a word was ever said about freehold. He called the next day with his wife, an Englishwoman. The contract was read over to him, he said it “perfectly alright” and paid £24 10s. deposit. Chong then said “I sell you that ring." The witness repeated that his price was £37 10s., and. Chong said, "Oh. yes, that is all right." He handed over the ring and signed a receipt made out by the witness for the money, which was paid to him in notes. The witness added that Chong told him that Granet had threatened to make it hot for him if he became his landlord.

   Cross-examined by Mr. Mathew. K.C., Cleave said he sometimes cashed advance notes for Chinamen, and one, Hing, owed him £175 on, an unsatisfied judgment. A Chinaman named Lee Foo did not come with Chong as interpreter.

  Lee Foo stood up in court, and Mr. Cleave said that he had never seen him before.

  The witness added that houses were valuable in Limehouse, because Chinamen congregated there like diamond merchants did in Hatton Garden.

  Mr. Mathew: A great deal of gambling goes on in Chinatown? - I know from the police-court reports that gambling does go on.

  Don't you know very well that gambling goes on in 75 per cent of the houses, which makes them valuable, and that a sign of a cross is exhibited to indicate that you can gamble there? - I have heard of it but never seen it.

  The defendant Kai Chong, who wore his hair cut short, and was in ordinary European clothes, explained that he was not a Christian, and, consequently, he affirmed, through an interpreter he declared that he could not read English, and could only write his name in English, which he was taught to do by his wife. In the negotiations with Mr. Cleave he took Lee Foo to act as interpreter. The price asked for the house. was

£300, but Cleave said he would cut off £15 if Chong would sell him his ring. As the ring was worth £40, this would reduce the price of the house to £242. Chong said that he did not want to let Cleave keep the ring, because the Chinese were very superstitious about handing over rings

after selling them without keeping them at home for a few day's. It was believed to be unlucky. Cleave said "Don't be silly," and kept the ring.

Replying to further questions. Chong said he did not know he was only buying the house for fifty years. He thought he was buying it as he would

buy another article.

  Cross-examined by Mr. Disturnal. K.C., witness said he could speak English a little, and could slightly understand English people when they spoke to him. He came to this country 20 years ago as a seaman, but had lived here continuously for nine years. When at sea he was on English boats His business in London was that of. Of general shopkeeper and dealer. He married an Englishwoman four years ago. She regularly spoke to him in "very simple English words."

  You have been in law courts before? — Yes.

  When was the last occasion? — Three months ago.

  Where?—Near the Old Bailey. (Laughter.)

  What was that for? — Gambling amongst my assistants.

They found you guilty and fined you £150?

Yes.

 Mr. Billings, surveyor, declared that the house was only worth £196 freehold and £110 leasehold.

  Lee Foo who gave his evidence in English, said that he went with Chong to Mr. Cleave' and interpreted for him. He supported Chong's story.

  The hearing was adjourned.

 

02.06.1916; E.E.N.; "CHINATOWN"LAWSUIT.

 

DIRECT CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE.

 

CHINAMAN LOSES HIS CASE.

 

    Mr. Justice Younker attended the Chancery Division on Tuesday in the action in which Kai Chong, a Chinaman, is being sued by a Mrs. Musgrave for specific performance of an agreement to purchase the 50 years' lease of premises in Limehouse Causeway—the centre of Chinatown—for £245. A report of the case appeared in Tuesday's issue.

    The Chinaman's case was that he was unable to understand English, and believed he was buying the premises outright. He counter-claimed for £24 10s. paid by him by way of deposit, and for a diamond ring worth £40, which he said he handed over as part of the purchase price. On behalf of the plaintiff, it was declared that Chong understood the transaction perfectly well and that the diamond ring was sold by him to Mr. Cleave, the plaintiff's estate agent for £37 10s.

    Mrs. Maud Chong a stylishly-dressed

 

attractive young Englishwoman, said that she Married Kai Chong four years ago. She did not speak Chinese, and he could only understand very small English words spoken slowly. She wrote his English correspondence for him.

 Cross-examined, the witness said she was married at a registry office. There was no interpreter. Her husband could read the figures on a cheque, but not the words. She thought he was buying the house out and out.

 His lordship said he had never heard of a case in which there was such a direct conflict of evidence.

   Mr. Mathew, K.C., said he had to go back to his earlier days for a parallel, Not a single item was admitted on either side, and one set of Witnesses flatly contradicted the other.

    His lordship reserved judgment until Wednesday, when he said that the agreement was quite clear and unambiguous. Chong was remarkably shrewd and intelligent. He had served on English ships for eleven years, for the last nine years he had carried on business in the East End of London as a general dealer, he had married an English wife, and it could be seen by

the way he gave his evidence through the interpreter that he had a very fair knowledge of English.

   With regard to the ring, his lordship accepted the story told by Mr'. Cleve, and held that it did not enter the bargain with respect to the lease. As to the latter, in his lordship's opinion the evidence was overwhelming that Chong knew he was getting a lease and nothing but a lease.

 His lordship further held that £245 was not too high a price for a lease having regard to the conditions prevailing in the district, but he was not satisfied that although Chong understood he was getting a lease that he understood his precise legal obligations under it. To bind a Chinaman

for fifty years according to English manners and customs might be very burdensome to him; and he would, therefore, give Cong the option of either having a decree for specific performance made against him or paying an additional £40 to the £20 10s. deposit as remuneration to the plaintiff for the loss she had sustained. But must also pay the costs of the action, and the counter-claim would be dismissed with costs.

 

 

10.06.1916; E.L.O.; CHINA IN EAST LONDON.

 

1. PETT RIDGE notes that Poplar is "becoming fractious" in regard to the presence of Chinamen in the district, and he testifies that there has certainly been, of late years, an increase in the number of Chinese shops near Limehouse Causeway. "But," he continues, "the proprietors have, always looked to me, as harmless as their sailor compatriots who carry, on a yoke, supplies of vegetables to their ship, Millwall way. I expect that they have a weakness for gambling, and I know they like to take

whiffs from their pipe' of opium; the strange, heavy scent of this hangs about doorways of, houses where the scheme of ventilation is not perfect, and the eagerness with which a Chinaman will deny knowledge of opium.,

smoking is in itself good proof of its existence. The childish joy they find in displaying their collection of treasures is enough to make one regard them with friendliness. One, at the Asiatic Home, was showing me,

photographs of ships and friends. “Is this your wife?” I asked, glancing at one of the portraits. “Oh, no” protested the Chinaman. “This is not my wife.  This” with great earnestness, “a velly mos'respec’able lady!" Answering a number of questions as to Chinese seamen in lodging-houses in

the East End, Mr. Pretyman said that the administration of the bye-laws in regard to seamen's lodging houses in London is a matter for the London County Council. Attention is also directed to a letter from, Mr. Watney on "The Chinese Problem in East London," which appears in another part of this issue.

 

 

13.06.1916; E.E.N.; "CHINA TOWN."

 

STARTLING ALLEGATIONS.

 

- Sin Song. of Limehouse Causeway, was summoned, before Mr. Canoellor, at Thames police-court on Friday, for keeping a Chinese seamen's lodging-house without being duly licensed.

  The prosecution was at the instance of the Seamen's and Firemen's Union, for whom 'Mr. Abinger and Mr. A. E. Smith appeared. Mr. Havelock Wilson was also present, and Mr., Carter watched the proceedings for the London County Council.

   Mr. Abinger said that the facts he would put before the Court were of a serious character, and his worship would be surprised to hear that out

of a crew of 89 on the British ship Danube, 70 were Chinamen, provided in London.  Such men were brought to Shanghai or Hong Kong, and afterwards alleged they were British subjects. In these circumstances it was almost impossible to find out to what country they did  elong; but there was no doubt that many of these men were under the influence of Germany, and got

on British ships for the purpose of conveying information to the enemy. Consequently, it was of paramount importance that all such lodging-houses should be registered, so that the members of the crew could be traced. In what was known as "China Town," the quarter in which the defendant lived, the Chinese population had grown from 1,000 to 8,000, and a large number

of British seamen were pushed out by them. Indignation meetings on the matter had taken place, and the subject was a serious one. Three men on the steamship Danube had given the defendant's place as their address, but they were now at sea, and he asked that the summons should be adjourned.

  Mr. Carter said that the County Council wished to support the case.

  Mr. Cancellor adjourned it sine die.

 

 

27.06.1916; E.E.N.; TO THE EDITOR.

 

THE ANTI-CHINESE OUTBREAK.

 

  Dear Sir, — Re the letter in to-day's issue-to this subject, 'who were the perpetrators of the window breaking, etc, outrages?

  Doubtless, they are known to the police, but of this I am sure: they do not represent, the inhabitants of Poplar and Limehouse, who are content to dwell at peace and goodwill with the strangers of every nationality who congregate in the neighbourhood of the Docks

  I watched the crowd one night, who marched down Pennyfields as a sort of demonstration, after listening to the speeches at the corner of Pigott-street, they consisted of a few men wearing munition badges (therefore not out of work), gangs of boys and lads of the hooligan class, a few girls, and a few Scandinavians - pro6ably amused spectators.

    The British merchant seaman was conspicuous by his absence; and it is a libel on the English merchant sailors to state they were responsible for this regrettable episode, the chief sufferers of  which were not Chinese sailors, but laundrymen and sellers of paper fans.—Yours, etc.

A LIMEHOUSE ENGLISH RESIDENT.

    June 21, 1916.

 

 

15.07 1916 The “Chinatown" Furore.

 

   Although we are not, struck by the discretion, knowledge or truth, of the bona fides of those who have been seeking to “ginger up" the old agitation against the employment of Chinese, Indians, Malays, or any of the Asiatic peoples whose traditions of the sea and its service are much

older than our own, it is not to be denied that there are wrongs in the present situation of British seamen—wrongs which are consequent upon our being an Asiatic Power with many millions of Asiatic fellow subjects, and in alliance with other Asiatic Powers who are intent upon taking a place in the sun for their maritime populations. Mr. Donald Ross is pointed when he remarks that while the newspapers have been full of praise for British merchant seamen who have faced torpedoes and mines, and given the slip to many a Hun submarine, the notion that the men are satisfied with cheap praise while Owners of ships rake in great fortunes, partially accumulated by the employment of cheap, Asiatic labour "down below," is a, serious mistake. "There have been cases of seamen who have lost their all whilst on torpedoed or mined boats going seeking other berths only to find that the jobs that were going were being given to Asiatics. Last November the Admiralty was approached with reference to the carrying of Chinamen on boats requisitioned by the Admiralty. The reply was fairly satisfactory. It was to the effect that a note had been sent to shipowners tasking that on Admiralty transports crews should, so far as was possible be either British `or British coloured and no other nationalities should be employ, unless delays would thereby be Caused.

Yet, in face of this request, although there

are British seamen available. Chinamen are being signed Admiralty ships. British seamen, with their splendid record and their undoubted superior ability, are turned away from shipping offices because the jobs are given to the cheaper “Chink." There is one excuse for the shipowner, and that

excuse is that the Britishers are not available. He persists in stating that his vessels must be manned by whatever men there are, and there are not Britons enough. "The one weakness in this excuse is that it is not true. Mr. T. Chambers, treasurer of the Sailors and Firemen’s Union has disproved the statements made by actual figures. From a test made through

the Health Insurance Society, he found that, at the top of the war boom, twenty per cent. of the seamen were unemployed. One in five were standing by in reserve for the shipowners if they would only utilise them to carry the matter further back, so as to complete the case for ordinary times,

he found that, for 500 men whose names were taken at random from their books. during 126 weeks the average time worked was 103   weeks! More reserve labour in the market, for grasping shipowner.”

 

 

21.07.1916; E.E.N.; RESTAURANTS IN LONDON'S CHINATOWN.

 

   Among the curious and out-of-the-way features of the Metropolis, that small quarter known as Chinatown, in the East End, should not be overlooked. The populous district of Limehouse, where it is located has other than Lloyd Georgian associations, and a cursory tour through its streets in the neighbourhood of the docks reveals an atmosphere, more or less well defined, of the Far East. A variety of dark and yellow skinned Asiatics and Africans are encountered, and the Chinese element is pronounced in and about West India Dock-road. Chinese lodging houses and boarding houses are noticeable, and turning off into Limehouse Causeway or Pennyfields, narrow thoroughfares on either side of the main road, are many shops owned and patronised by Celestials. The latter, with their flat faces, tawny skins, almond eyes, and lank, black hair, are obliquitous in the doorways, at, the corners, and conversing in groups, while the numerous tablets and panels, with legends in quaint Chinese characters, give the visitor a decidedly novel and bizarre impression.

   Of an unmistakably Chinese stamp are the stores of certain green-grocers tobacconists, curio vendors, tea merchants and provision dealers. One establishment in in Pennyfields exhibits two red vases among its wares; while other window contains handsome figured silks. The comestibles on sale have their special appeal to the denizens of this quarter. Here, for instance, are spotted and other fish fried in lard, fried birds, lotus or water lily roots, water chestnuts, canned, bamboo-shoots, caram bolas — an acid East Indian fruit – in syrup, green apricots with sugar, lichees or Chinese plums a very agreeable

  fruit—dried or in syrup, Chinese ginger in vinegar with sugar, and so on.

  At No. 15 in the Causeway is a-Chinese restaurant, and above the shop front a long green signboard by its bold Chinese hieroglyphics doubtless betokens this fact. Some groceries and toothsome confections are displayed in the window of this establishment, which is kept by Mr.

  Doe Foon, a Cantonese. There are two floors for refreshment purposes, equipped with marble-topped tables. A portrait of the proprietor is shown, and there are some typical Chinese ornaments. The house is practically an East End counterpart of the Piccadilly establishment, and

one of the cooks was previously employed by Mr. Chong Choy. The guests are mainly Chinese and  hey eat with chop-sticks, which the European finds so hard to manipulate. The well-known dish to natives of the Far East—clop suey — occupies a foremost place in the lengthy bill of fare, as also does noodle, or fine macaroni. The latter is much used in soups, and is fried with such diverse articles as finely cut ham, plums crab,

pork, and chicken. Chop suey with chicken, mushroom, and bamboo shoots is

priced at 1s. 6p.; plain soup noodle, sliced duck and vegetables, 9d.; scrambled eggs with crab or plums, Is. 6d.; and Chinese sausages, is. among, other curious and characteristic items listed are birds' nests

and water melon; Whole chicken stuffed with birds' nests and soup, duck with orange peel and soup, and fried chicken with shark's belly. Duck and chicken are cooked in three styles. The beche de mer, or sea slug, large quantities of which are dried and smoked in the East Indies and shipped to China, is grilled, soyed and served with pigeon. There naturally many forms of currie, and the writer tried a dish of curried eggs which served in adequate gravy and with well cooked rice, was quite satisfactory. For.

certain highly priced dishes, such as sharks fin or birds' nests with minced chicken, and whole chicken served with shark's fin in soup, a day's notice is required to be given. The green tea served, at this restaurant had a watery appearance but was of good aroma and flavour

    A few doors away an illuminated yellow sign over a refectory has the printed notification "Chinese Tea Rooms." Mr. Ciong Chu is the proprietor of this establishment, which is somewhat more modest in its scope than the preceding. Beyond the patrons there is little that is distinctively Chinese about the two dining rooms though some carved decoration in one corner has a Chinesey suggestion. The menu is on a large folding blue card, and the thirty items have the Chinese name and the elucidation

English beneath. Thus, Tong kao kai stands for chicken, mushroom, and Chinese ham; Wan tan, noodle, with meat, crab, and soup; May fan, rice

noodle with sliced meat and mushroom soup. Some chop suey with chicken soop was sampled here and found fairly appetising with the accompanying soy sauce. Apparently realising that chop-sticks were out of the question, the waiter brought a knife and fork as the implements with which to tackle the dish. Under the heading “Pudding” is a proparation of pudding with meat and crabs, meat roll, fried, and pudding with meat and bamboo shoots. Such delicacies as birds nest and shark's fin are also available at this establishment, so that altogether the Chinese in the East End can have their gastronomic tastes amply satisfied, and at a tolerably reasonable figure. — From the “Caterer and Hotel-Keepers' Gazette."

 

 

03.10.1916; Daily Telegraph; CHINESE IN LONDON.

 

EAST-END COLONY.

 

 It was a sombre picture that was painted by one of the speakers at the recent meeting of the Trades Union Congress when he started out to describe the ways of some of the denizens of "Chinatown" in London. After reading his charges, sober-minded people may well have paused to wonder why, if the Chinese colony in Limehouse was the home of so much

vicious conduct, the authorities should have failed to adopt drastic measures to remove the blot. Inquiries undertaken by a Daily Telegraph representative show, however, that the police, officials of the London County Council who have to deal with lodging-houses, and people connected with social welfare institutions in the district, whilst fully alive to the weaknesses of the average Chinaman, are not seriously alarmed at the congregation of considerable numbers of these Asiatics in the neighbourhood of the docks.

   During recent months there has been a good deal of talk in the East-end about the "yellow peril."' Its origin may be traced to the increasing employment of Chinese in the British Mercantile Marine,' and the subsequent growth in numbers of the Chinamen who, when on shore, resort to the colony established by their fellow-countrymen in Streets off-the West India Dock-road. Representatives of organised maritime labour say that thousands of Chinese seamen and firemen now land in London, as compared with hundreds a few years ago. “When Chinese labour was imported into South Africa," remarked the general secretary of the Sailors' and

Firemen’s Union, "there was a tremendous outcry in this country. Yet today numbers of shipowners are engaging Chinese solely because they are prepared to work for lower wages than the Britisher or friendly alien, and cost nothing like its much to feed."

 

ALL FROM HONG KONG.

 

   "It will be a deplorable state of affairs," he added if British seamen who are now serving their King and country afloat should find when they

return to the merchant service after the war that they are crowded out of jobs by cheap Asiatic labour The provisions of the Merechant Shipping Act should be carried out as strictly in the case of the Chinese as they are in relation to other alien seamen. It is

curious that you can hardly meet a Chinaman in London who does not say he was born in Hong Kong but the Board of Trade does not make him produce

evidence of a documentary character to prove that he is what he  laims to be, namely, of British nationality."

   On shore the Chinese seaman does not fraternise with mariners of other nationalities. The freedom of the Sailors' Home, so admirably conducted by the British, and Foreign Sailors' Society, is denied to him. In view of the prejudice against him, his presence there, it is said, would almost certainly breed trouble. But in Limehouse-causeway Pennyfields, and other Streets thereabouts, are plenty of Chinse boarding-houses some of them licensed by the County Council. As a matter of fact one of the chief offences for which Chinamen are from time to time haled before the magistrates is the keeping of unlicensed seamen s lodging-houses, where gambling and opium smoking are indulged in to an extent which, can only be guessed at. Complaint has been made against the County Council for

not enforcing more rigorously the licensing by-laws, but already in the present year, fines amounting in the aggregate to about £200 have been imposed upon residents in the colony for evading them, and is claimed that more Vigilant Watch could not be kept.

   That there is a considerable amount of gambling in the district nobody doubts' for a moment. It is one of the absorbing passions of the Chinese seaman, and the game usually indulged in is fan-tan.

 

GAMBLING At FAN-TAN

 

   “The other day," said a resident in the neighbourhood, I saw the game being played. About ten men were gathered round a table, which was breast

high, and one of them was acting as a kind of croupier. A number of coins were placed under a cover, and when the players had put down their stakes • the Croupier proceeded to pick up the coins four at a time until he came to the last lot. The players had the choice of betting on one, two, three, or four coins being after the rest had been taken away n fours. I forget what number won during the few minutes I watched the game, but, although the men were very excited the stakes appeared to be small.

  As to opium smoking, the drug is not easy to obtain now owing to recent restrictions which forbid a person to have it in his possession without proper Authorisation. " Formerly, said one who knows the Chinese quarter well, "it was smoked quite openly, and I think the Chinaman will still find means to get his pipe. I saw two or three men coming out of a house a day or two ago looking stupid, but their appearance was nothing like so disgusting as that of a drunken man."

   There are law-abiding Chinese' shopkeepers and boarding house-keepers who have married English women. They are reported to make good husbands

and their children are well brought up. For the rest, there is the assurance of the police that Chinamen in the East-end are inoffensive in their behaviour, sober, and not given to brawling in the streets. If they quarrel amongst themselves indoors knives are sometimes out very qickly—there were two stabbing cases a few nights ago—but it is seldom that the police find themselves called upon to interfere.

  Still, when the best is said for the Chinese, Poplar and Limehouse do not wish to see the colony assume larger proportions.

 

09.03 1917 E.E.N. CHINESE FIGHTING EACH OTHER

 

Scenes in Limehouse Causeway

 

  There have been rather serious disturbances during the past day or two,

culminating yesterday (Thursday) morning about 10 o'clock, in Limehouse Causeway. The Chinese were quarrelling among themselves, seamen who are

 Chinese trade unionists being on one side, and non-unionists on the other. The colony has been in a ferment of commotion, Orientals arriving as reinforcements from other streets. Several men have been injured, some rather seriously; and while a few were taken to public institutions for treatment, others were arrested and will be charged this morning at

Thames-street. The police captured, three revolvers and a number of other

weapons, such as iron bolts and knives.

 

 

13.03.1917, E.E.N.; THE CHINESE "BATTLE"

 

TEN DISTURBERS CHARGED.

 

  The angry quarrels of the past week among the Celestials OF Limehouse, which had their climax in a dramatic set-to between the rival factions on Thursday morning, to which we referred in our last issue, had their inevitable sequence in the Thames Police-court on Friday, when a remarkable story was related. No fewer than 10 Chinamen were put into the dock: Lee Pow, Wong Chow, Man Sack, Mun Lee, Jew Kin Sam, Yung Ah Kwai, Jung Chu, Ah Seg, Lam Pow, and Lee Pow; and they were charged with "unlawfully assembling together and arrayed in a warlike manner in West India Dock-road, to the great terror and disturbance of divers liege subjects of our Lord the King, and there make an affray in contempt of our said Lord, the King and his laws, and the evil example of all others in like case offending.” Further, with causing bodily harm Pow Wing.

  Mr. Knight, who prosecuted on behalf of the police said that a number of Chinamen on Thursday morning sought one another with knives. life preservers choppers, daggers, hammers, and bars of iron. It took the police considerable time to quell the disturbance. Lee Paw was seen to stab Pow Wing in the face and head with a knife, in consequence of which the latter was now in hospital. All the other prisoners were seen using weapons. It was a most serious matter, for more than one person was nearly murdered. It appeared

that there were two cliques of Chinamen in that neighbourhood, and the trouble arose from dispute concerning a union. Those on the side of the latter had little pieces of linen in mouths so that they could be known.

     Div. Det.-inspector Yeo stated that PO Wing was in a serious condition.

  The prisoners were remanded.

 

 

16.03.1917; E.E.N.; The Chinese “Battle”

 

Twelve Chinamen were remanded at Thames police court on Monday on a charge of taking part in a warlike affray at Castle Street and Limehouse Causeway on Saturday morning, and causing bodily harm to another Chinaman called Ho Po.

  Mr. Knight, who prosecuted on behalf of the police, said that the charges arose out of several affrays among the Chinaman

   Superintendent Boxall, K division stated that when he raided the premises on Saturday evening, he found all the defendants in the shop counting money. Ah Lum was the owner, Dong Tong the manager; Ting Lung and h Sing the croupiers, and Dong Tong the banker. In a room at the rear of the shop was a table such as used for the playing of Fan Tan, while on it were black and white beads and red cards used in playing the

game. Tied to the banker’s seat was a thick piece of bamboo, inside which was money. In addition, he found a revolver, an automatic pistol, and money amounting to £323 8s. 8d.

  In reply to the magistrate, Mr. Boxall said for years he had experienced heaps of trouble with the Chinese colony, and they were a "confounded" nuisance to the neighbourhood.

 Mr. Canceller fined Ah Lum £100-, or 50-days imprisonment in default; Ding Low £51. or 50 days; and Ting Lung, Ah Sing, and Dong Tong each £25, or 26 days.  The other defendants were bound over not to frequent gaming houses in future.

 

 

01.07.1917; E.E.News; Opium Den Prosecutions.

 

   Chong Foo was fined £3 at Thames police court on Tuesday, and Wong Tork was bound over to come up for judgment when called upon for being in possession of opium prepared for smoking.

    When Inspector Jennings, K division, passed a house in High-street Poplar, he detected a smell of opium, and on entering the house saw the defendants lying on a bed smoking opium. Chong Foo said. "If I don't smoke, I am ill. My friend suffers from rheumatism, and he came to me and begged for a smoke." In the room were opium pipes, opium lamps, and

feeders, while a box of opium was found concealed under the flooring.

 

 Pi See Tak, 37, of Pennyfields, Poplar, had to answer a charge at Thames police-court on Wednesday of being in possession of opium prepared for smoking.

  Police-sergeant 15 K stated that on Tuesday, afternoon he saw the defendant and said, “I hear you have opium on your premises. I will

look for it." The defendant got into a rage, and attempted to throw him out. Under a pillow in the defendant's bedroom was a quantity of cooked opium prepared for smoking. The witness also found some opium solution

and a quantity of opium mixed with treacle. In the collar was a packet of opium, and parts of opium lamps and bulbs.

  Mr. Cancellor fined the defendant £10.

 

18.01.1918 East End News. Poplar Opium Den Raided

 

Chan Wan, a Chinese subject was charged Thames police court on Tuesday with permitting his premises at High-street Poplar, to be used for smoking of opium; and Sing Chong was charged with having in his possession utensils for smoking opium.

  Station sergeant Chamberlain, K division, said that on Monday night he saw Wan come out of his premises and hastily, close the door after him. Detecting a smell of opium, the witness forced an entrance to the shop, and running quickly upstairs found the second prisoner on a mattress smoking an opium pipe. There were also, several utensils for smoking opium by the side of him.

Wan, through an interpreter, said that Chong was an old friend, and called to have a smoke. Asked by Mr. Cancellor whether this was an isolated instance of a friend calling to have a smoke, the sergeant said there was no doubt Wan was acting as an agent for someone. It was an opium den, pure and simple.

Wan was ordered to pay £20, or 41 days, and Chong was fined 10s.

 

 

29.05.1917; .E.N.; Gaming House raid at Pennyfields. Heavy Fines.

 

Ah Lum, Ding Low, Dong Tong, Ting Lung, and Ah Sing were charged, at Thames police court on Monday, with keeping a gaming house at Pennyfields, Poplar; and five other Chinamen were charged with having been foun on the premises.

 

 

21.06.1918 E.E.N. Gambling Raid in Pennyfields,

 

A police raid on a Chinese gaming house in East London where the game of fan-tan was Being played, was described when three China-men were charged at Thames police-court on Tuesday with keeping premises at Pennyfields Poplar, for the purpose of gambling. Ten other Chinamen were arraigned for frequenting the house. The latter ware bound over not to offend in the same way in future.

  Supt. Hopkins said that observation had been kept the premises, and the day before, in company with Chief-inspector Brennan and other officers he entered the place. In a very small room at the back of the shop he saw all the defendants except one. Chang, who acted as banker had a pile of money—Chinese “cash” and other coins. together with notes—in front of him, and put some notes in his pocket as witness came in. One of the defendants acted as croupier.  Upon the man there was found the sum of

about £90. This was the first prosecution undertaken since the Commissioner of Police caused a notice in Chinese to be issued in the Chinese quarter. The superintendent produced a card on which was a Chinese sign indicating that fan-tan could be played on the premises where it was displayed.

 Mr. Cancellor fined Chang and Yuan Cheang £50 each, and Chang King £25

 

 

24.08.1918 Times East End Opium Dens

 

SHIPPING 'MERCHANT'S DEATH

 

At Marylebone yesterday the inquest was concluded on the body of WILLIAM GIBSON, jun., aged 36, of Harrington-gardens, South Kensington a partner of the firm of Messrs. Foy and Gibson Australian shipping merchants, Finsbury-street.  E.C., who was found dead in a flat at Portman-Mansion Baker-street.

It' had been stated that Mr.  Gibson frequently visited the East-end to procure opium.  On the night before his death, he had been to Chinatown, but returned to the flat at Portman-mansions, where he was in the habit of visiting Mrs. Gertrude Turner, a widow, whom he had known for two years. Mrs. Turner stated that she had seen Mr. Gibson inject a drug into his arm, and he told her that it was to Cure him of alcoholism.

Mr. Webster, assistant scientific analyst to the Home Office, now said that he found morphine present in considerable quantities in the internal organs.

He had also extracted an acid which was characteristic of and peculiar to opium. in reply to the CORONER, he said he believed it was common knowledge that there were opium dens in the East-end, but he did not know how they managed to get large quantities of opium, which was a poison under the Pharmacy Act, and only supposed to be saleable under restriction.

Police evidence was given to show that inquiries had been made at various Chinese establishments in the East-end, but no information bad been obtained about Mr. Gibson's visits to Chinatown.

Dr. Spilsbury said that death was due to asphyxia from regurgitation while sleeping, and when suffering from opium poisoning.

The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from misadventure," and expressed their sympathy with the widow.

 

-A DEN AT POPLAR.

 

At the Thames Police Court yesterday, before Mr. Rooth, a Chinaman was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, and recommended

for expulsion as an undesirable, for managing an opium den at High-street, Poplar.

It was stated that the premises in question-had the reputation of being one of the worst of the opium resorts in the East-end of London, and that during the present year there had been five convictions for opium smoking from the place.

 

 

14.12.1918 LO PING’S SHUTTERED HOUSE

 

A VISIT TO NO. 24, LIMEHOUSE CAUSEWAY

IN THE HEART OF CHINATOWN.

 

No. 24, Limehouse-Causeway, where Lo Ping You, the Chinaman, lives, looks as Though it had taken to itself all the squalor of the squalid street in which it stands. It lies near the end of a crooked alley in the heart of London’s Chinatown, and almost hides itself away under-the rail way arch as if anxious to escape the light of day.

Last night it looked as though it had not been occupied for years. Broken shutters covered the lower windows. from which much of the glass was missing. The door was firmly closed, and through a flicker of light crept out from the heavily curtained casements of the upper rooms, there was no response to a knock.

Outside, some children, half English, half Chinese, were playing in the dimly-lit gutters, and around them Chinatown went its way, apparently unconcerned with the sensational story in which No. 24 now figures.

But it was true Oriental indifference, which means that Chinatown was very much alive to all that was going on. The “Dily Chronicle” man was spotted as a Stranger directly he turned in from Commercial Road and inquiries were made as to his business. Chinamen were made as to his business. Chinamen stood in groups to his business. Chinamen stood in groups at the doors of the dingy houses and outside the Chinese shops, talking among……

 

 

09.01.1919; STAR; THE EVIL TRADE IN OPIUM,

 

English Girls as the Chinaman's West End Agents.

 

   Much has been learned about Opium traffic through the Billie Carleton Carlton case, but much remains unknown. The system, for instance, by which a market for opium was gradually transferred from the East to the West End was only built up after laborious years and on, carefully laid

Plans.

   Some 40 years ago I met in the East-end two Englishwomen who had become so Chinese through constant association with "Ching" that they had earned the sobriquets, “China-Faced Nell” and "Chinese Bertha." These two

-_-were., I believe, the first* to begin the.3

Were, I believe, the first to begin the spread of opium to the uninitiated.

   The system spread. "Ching" found it paid. He accordingly went into the

streets, selected some of the prettiest girls he could find, and lavished luxury on them. For their rags and penury, he gave them, fine clothes and wealth, and after about four months with him they were sent forth into the-West-end to spread the cult.

   In places like Leicester-square they became acquainted with the wealthier kind of profligate and played on the seamy side of life. They saw men several times, and at last, in the privacy of their own flats—provided by “Ching” they would produce an opium pipe.

  Amongst the debauchees and moral perverts’ opium became a solace for

weariness and worry. They introduced their friends to it. Chinese students helped to spread the scourge. These girls eventually spread to the stage.

  The same thing goes on in the East end. But how a man or woman of any

standing can enter an East-end opium den after viewing it from the door for the first time, let alone revisit it after having smoked there, I cannot imagine.

  I have seen many dens in my time, and I have never encountered such

apparent poverty as they display walls colour washed and pictureless, perhaps, a broken chair or two, but generally a rickety table and it a stool for all the furniture.

  I was in a den a few weeks ago. One could, hardly see across the room.

Round the walls a numberer of shelves, ship's bunk fashion, whose only

covering was a piece of grass matting. On these shelves were men women,

young and old, in various stages of undress some strongly held under the

influence, others half comatose, and one or two still smoking.

   A lighted was burning. The opium fumes—with a smell as of boiled potato peelings-filled the place. The window curtains were tight drawn.

On one side of the room a woman superintended the boiling of some rice and the cooking of the opium

  This was the usual den twenty years ago. To-day things are practically the same, except that, beds may often be found scantily covered with grass matting or cheap wool mattresses.

   The smokers lie crossways on the beds in attitudes, slightly clothed

and apparently oblivious of sex, being indiscriminately mixed. same pipe

passes all round, much as half a dozen men will take a pull at a mug of beer.

  Do not imagine that this opium smoking is confined to London. It is

prevalent in all big cities. I know at this at this moment a white woman who has gone over to the Chinese body and soul, and who travels the globe in the opium trade, changing her habitation as soon as the

locality in which she lives becomes too hot for her. The existence in the East-end of London alone of hundreds of these women living on food many an Englishman cannot buy, taking the best seats at the theatres, and living in well-appointed homes in the West-end, proves magnitude of the traffic.

  Most of the opium that comes into this country is smuggled through the bilges and engine-rooms of cargo ships. The smaller quantities are hidden in the folds and of the men's clothing. A few days ago, opium was detected in a seaman a tie.

   Accredited agents well known to smugglers are always to be found at the docks. Others never leave their little grocery shops down Limehouse way, and to them come those with opium for sale, buy a pound of currants, go into the back parlour for a chat over what has happened since the last two last met, and there exchange their contraband for enormous sums. "Ching" can well afford it, for he exacts a huge price for the drug. A piece the size of a walnut will sell for £25 to £30 in the West end.

Amazing fortunes have been amassed by Chinamen in this illicit trade.

 

 

14.01.1919; E.E.N.; Opium Prosecution.

 

  Chong Fook, 30, a Chinese subject, was fined 40s., or seven days, at Thames police court on Thursday, for being in possession of opium and opium smoking utensils.

     As Inspector Hawkins, K division, was passing premises in High-street, Poplar he detected a strong smell of opium, and going into an upstairs room saw defendant with an opium pipe by his side. The room

reeked with opium, and in it were two opium pipes, three lamps, a quantity of opium, and ash trays. The opium was about sufficient for the consumption of one person.

 

25.01.1919; Daily Telegraph OPIUM DENS RAIDED.

 

THE CURSE OF THE DRUG

 

   Further raids on opium dens were described at Thames Police-court yesterday, when Ug Ah Chung, a Chinese subject was charged with permitting premises of which he is the occupier at 30, Salter-street,

Limehouse, to be used for the purpose of smoking opium. Yew Kim, also a Chinaman, and the manager of a boarding house in the vicinity, was

charged together with Ah Foo, a Chinese seaman, with being found in possession of utensils for smoking opium.

  Police-inspector Knowler, K Division, said when passing the house, he smelt a strong odour of opium. Receiving no answer to repeated knocks at the door, he secured a ladder and ascending it, saw through a window Yew Kim and Ah Foo lying on the bed smoking. Chung was in the same room preparing food. An officer entered the window, and opened the door. Witness added that a complete outfit—pipes, lamps, opium, &c.-was found in the house. Chung told Witness that he paid 15s, per week rent, and had

occupied the house for the past two months.

  The Magistrate: Is Chung the principal, or is he acting for somebody in the background? The principal. This is the third time the house has been

raided. It is a regular opium den. It has, however, only been raided on this occasion whilst in the occupation of Chung.

  Ah Chung was remanded in custody, it being stated

that another charge would he preferred against him. Yew Kim, and Ah Foo were fined £5 and 40s respectively.

  In regard to two other Chinamen—Kim-Kitt, charged with allowing premises occupied by him, at 13, Pennyfields, to be used for the purpose of smoking opium, and with having in his possession a quantity of opium, and Jim Chow, charged with being found in possession of utensils for smoking, Inspector Hawkins said he was passing the house when he smelled

opium. Entering the open door, he went into a top front room, which was opened by Kim Kitt, who said he was the occupier, and paid £1 a week rent. Jim Chow was lying on a bed with a lamp alight, and a pipe in his hand.

  In reply to the magistrate, witness said that the place was nothing more than an opium den: There was only one pipe, and other Chinamen were waiting apparently to take their turn at smoking.

  The Magistrate: This sort of thing has got to be stopped. It starts in the East-end, and sometimes—as we know spreads to the West. He sentenced Kim Kitt to six weeks imprisonment in the second division and recommend him for deportation. Jim Chow was fined £3, or eleven days.

 

 

26.05.1919; E.E.N.; CHINESE v. BRITISH SAILORS.

 

Fighting Rioting at Poplar.

 

   Much excitement has existed among the seafarers of the docks districts during this week by reason of the friction existing between Chinese and British sailors. Complaints are rife that Chinese are being freely shipped in preference to British sailors, on account of the low rates of pay accepted by them. It is stated that British sailors refuse to "sign on" under from £7 10s. to £8 per month, while Chinese are accepting from

£3 10s. to £5. On Tuesday a crowd of British sailors had assembled outside the Board of Trade offices in East India-road, and it is said that the Britishers were "passed over," while a number of Chinese were signed on for an outgoing steamer at the lower rates of pay. Prior to this there had been friction, for on the Monday evening it is said some

Chinese sailors had assaulted a man of another nationality. This incident became known to the assembled British sailors, on Tuesday, and on that evening attacks were made upon a number of the Chinese lodging-houses and shops in the locality.

The windows were smashed and other damage done, and some Chinamen were said to have been severely assaulted. A strong force of police-constables was drafted into the neighbourhood, but a good deal of free fighting

took place before the rioting could be quelled. It was expected that a renewal of the fighting would take place on Tuesday night, but a

strong force of police paraded the thoroughfares, and although crowds assembled, they were kept on the move, and nothing very, serious occurred.

  It should be added that the affair had nothing whatever to do with the police raid. a Chinese betting-house reported in another column.

 

 

29.05.1019; Daily Chronicle; EAST END RACIAL FEUD.

 

STREET FIGHTING RESUMED NEAR BLACKWALL TUNNEL.

 

  There were more exciting scenes and some renewal of the fighting between black and white men in the East-end last night.

  The streets in the neighbourhood of the Eastern Hotel and Limehouse-causeway were thronged with an excited crowd, and at times the aspect was very threatening.

  Superintendent. Hopkins had the matter well in hand, however, and long before midnight the fear of a serious outbreak at this point had passed.   Three men of colour were arrested, one on a charge of disorderly conduct. Another had a loaded revolver in his possession, whilst the third had a razor with the blade open and the handle tied.

  Not far away, at the entrance to Blackwall Tunnel, an argument between black and white men resolved itself into a serious fight in which compatriots on both sides took part.

  In this fighting two black men were seriously injured. One was taken, in an unconscious condition to the Poplar Hospital.  As the result of a blow he had fallen and struck his head on the kerb.

  Another man complained to the police that a docker had struck him over the head with a heavy stick.

  Investigation of the cause of the trouble shows that most of the coloured men are South African negroes, but that there is a mixture, of other coloured races, who have been unable to return on the out-going,

boats, which are now manned by white seamen. The residential coloured population has increased a great deal since the war.

  Residents in the neighbourhood say that many young girls have been decoyed by the coloured men, who have lavished money on them.

 

 

17.07.1919; Daily Express; RACIAL RIOTS

 

By the REV. GEORGE H. MITCHELL

Chaplain to Seamen.

 

   Many thinking people view with alarm and deep concern the recent riots between coloured and white men in the shipping centres of Liverpool and London.

   I will be quite impartial. The type of native generally involved in these fracas is not without a measure of blame. At the same time it would be a great mistake to class them all alike. There are good and bad among them and, unfortunately, in a melee, the innocent suffer with the guilty.

     As one who has lived and worked, among seamen of all nationalities in the Port of London for some years, I affirm that the good predominate, and the bad are a minority

   Consider the situation. Under the new Board of Trade rules, a sailor has to take his turn in getting a ship, and considering that some weeks may elapse before one's turn comes round, it is evident that, allied to the prejudice against coloured men, the position for them is anything but   good. "White men first", is the rule, consequently a large number of West Indian seamen and firemen are a long time ashore" on the rocks."

   During the recent riots in these parts I was sorry to learn that an attack was made upon the Orientals or East Indian natives. Now, excepting the Cingalese, there are no quieter or more guileless visitors to these shores than the Orientals.

    West Indians, Africans, and Jamaicans natives are black, although they resent the adjective bitterly. "Coloured" is the compromise they accept, Also, it is the bad element among these that has caused the trouble.

  It is nothing new. But a new phase has developed as an aftermath of war, on the lines of the modern episodes of personal punishment of crime.

    For good or bad, these dark sons of the West Indies are members of the British Empire, and to foster an antipathy towards them will not tend to cement the bonds of Empire.

 

17.06.1919; Daily Telegraph; EAST-END COLOUR RIOT.

 

HOUSE ASSAILED IN CHINA TOWN.

 

 Sporadic outbreaks of rioting have been frequent in various parts of the-East-end of London during the past few months, and in most eases the cause of the trouble has arisen through friction between coloured men and other residents owing to the former being seen in the Compainy of white women and girls.

 Last evening Northumberland-street, Poplar, E., which forms a part of the district known as Chinatown, was the scene of a serious disturbance as the outcome of the resentment displayed by the people living in the street when it became known that a Chinaman named Luck-sing was moving into a house at No. 56. The people allowed the furniture to be taken in yesterday, and then, in the-absence of Lucksing assailed the premises. The wife of Lucksing an Englishwoman, and a friend were badly mauled

by the infuriated crowd, and the few police who were able to collect had to send for strong reinforcements in order to remove them to a place of

safety.

  The mob threw all the furniture out of the house. and wrecked the building in which the terrified women had been hiding. In the street the furniture was piled in a heap and set on fire, and this caused an alarm to be sent to the brigade, and from several of the East-end stations firemen proceeded to the scene. They were allowed to set to work without

hindrance by the crowd, and with one hydrant in use the fire was got under. Excited multitudes gathered in the neighbourhood, and the police authorities drafted in additional men to cope with any recurrence, of the trouble, and a special watch was kept on the neighbourhood of Pennyfields, West India Dock-road, where the majority of shopkeepers are Chinese.

 

20.06.1919; E.E.N.; MORE FALSE RUMOURS

 

 It is said that I, MR. F. FRANCIS, House Agent, has turned out a demobilised soldier from a house in Northumberland street, Poplar.

 THIS IS FALSE.

 The soldier's wife from the house in question did apply another agent in

Poplar, and was recommended to me, and I accepted the soldier, who is now a tenant of mine in Nairn-street, Abbott's-road. What do I do admit is that I have turned out a CHINAMAN tenant from a house and shop in North street, to take in a demobilised soldier to open a business. I have NO

Chinamen tenants under my control of property.

 

 

20.06.1919; E.E.N.; RIOTING IN POPLAR.

 

Furniture Burnt; Windows Smashed.

 

  Much excitement was caused in St. Saviour s district of Poplar on Monday evening, when a house in Northumberland street was attacked and wrecked. A Chinaman had just moved into the horse, and it was stated that a demobilised soldier had previously been refused as a tenant. This

preference for a foreigner was alleged to be the cause of the trouble. A crowd gathered and stormed the premises. The furniture was thrown out into the street and set set on fire, while the occupants of the house were roughly treated, and had to seek police protection. The fire brigade was summoned and unhindered by the crowd, they extinguished the fire in the street by means of a hydrant. The police arrived in large numbers, and the riot soon died down. There was some talk of wrecking the whole

of the Chinese quarter, but the vigilance of the police prevented any such happening.

  On Tuesday evening there was a renewal of the trouble, and the windows of the Chinese Laundry in North-street were smashed. A large crowd assembled, but the police were prepared for disturbance, and paraded the district in large force, thus preventing any serious developments.

  About noon on Wednesday morning there was a slight disturbance in the neighbourhood of Grundy-street, and a constable was stationed there on special duty, while another guarded the premises of the Laundry in North-street.

 

 

14.10.1919; E.E.N.; A CHINESE "CHOPPING "-FRAY

 

    An alleged murder in Chinatown, Limehouse formed the subject of a charge before Mr. Rooth, the magistrate, at Thames Police-court, on Saturday.

     The accused was Sing Ling Lock, 34, who was stated to have killed Ah Pow, another Chinaman, in the West India Dock-road, with a chopper.

    Detective-inspector W. Smith, K division, said that at 12.15 a.m. on Friday he saw the dead body of Ah Pow at Poplar Hospital mortuary. At 4.30 a.m. the same day he saw the prisoner detained at Limehouse police-station. The witness said to him, "I am a police-officer. I understand your name is Sing Ling Lock, and that you speak English perfectly. "The

 prisoner said "Yes." The witness then cautioned him and said to him, "At 12.15 I saw the body of Ah Pow at the Poplar hospital mortuary, and from information I received you will be detained pending further inquiry respecting his death." The prisoner, said, "When I stopped at Slater

 street he came and asked me £5. I gave him £5. To-night he see me, he asked me £10. I say “No money.” He got chopper. I caught his hand and took chopper from him. I hit him on head. He fall down. I hit him again. I ran away through Causeway, and threw chopper near bridge. Two other Chinamen were with Ah Pow."

  Later the same day (witness continued) he cautioned the prisoner in English, and also caused him to be cautioned through an interpreter. He told Lock that he would be charged with the wilful murder of Ah Pow. The accused replied, "He lent me £5 about five weeks ago. Last night he see me in the street, and asked me for £10. I say, No money.' He got chopper to hit me:  I got chopper and hit him.

  The prisoner was remanded.

 

  The inquest was held yesterday at the Poplar Coroner's Court before Mr. Wynne E. Baxter.

  Police evidence similar to that given before the magistrate was heard.

 After a lengthy summing up by the coroner, the jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder."

 An extended account of the inquest will be given in Friday's issue.

 

 

04.02.1930; Daily Express; POLICE WAR ON PUK-A-POO.

 

 Wong Kai, a Chinaman, was fined £20 with £5 5s. costs at the Thames Police Court yesterday for permitting a gambling game called Puk-a-Poo to be carried on at his tobacconist's shop at Limehouse-causeway.

 It was stated for the prosecution that there was a revival of the game, which, some time ago, was almost suppressed by the police.

 

 

00.07.1919; Star; CHINAMAN’S SHOP SMASHED.

 

Incendiarism in Streets.

 

WHITE GIRLS HUSTLED THE CROWD.

 

  ALL was quiet in Chinatown today but the authorities are quietly

preparing to prevent any recurrence of riots to-night.

 A policeman is guarding the house in Northumberland-street which was the

scene of last night's riot, which a crowd raided the premises into two Chinamen married to English had just moved.

 All the windows were stripped of ?? last night's rioting, and the police

was kept busy "shooing" small ?? away from the pile of burnt beds, broken fenders, Pots and pans charred mattresses still lying on the pavement this afternoon.

 

CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.

     Northumberland-street is in Poplar and is really outside Chinatown

and if there is any further trouble it be in these outlying streets where

English population is incensed ?? Chinese securing houses needed by them turned soldiers and their wives.

 The root cause of last night's ?? was freely stated to be the unsuccessful effort of a demobilised soldier to secure the house, coupled with the prejudice against the intermixture of the white and yellow races.

  It is, in fact, another instance of the complexity of the housing problem and the way it affects the life of big ?? at all points.

 

CHINESE PROSPERED IN THE WAR.

 

  Before the war the Chinese were mainly grouped round Pennyfields,

Limehonse Causeway, but since the War the yellow population of the East

-end has increased, and in many of the streets around the East and West India Dock-roads there are Chinese families now living.

 As Englishmen joined the Army Chinese came in to replace in many instances in the factories and the kitchens of hotels and restaurants

The Chinaman grave up the sea for shore jobs, earned good money, and then his compatriots overflowed from his original quarter, forming alliances

in some cases with white women.

 

WHITE WIVES.

 

 How the demobilised soldiers can find houses. There is tremendous

competition for any house or portion of house becoming vacant, and it is

that the Chinese secure the houses paying big premiums.

    Anything from £10 to £30, it is stated has been paid by Chinese 1iving with women for a house; and a combination of the two circumstances

is deeply resented by the people in English populated streets.

 

 

28.01.1920; Evening Standard: DISTURBED THEIR DREAMS.

 

POLICE CLIMB LADDER AND RAID CHINESE OPIUM SMOKERS.

 

  Quai (39) was fined £10 at the Thames Magistrate Court to-day for permitting premises occupied by him at Poplar to be used for smoking opium1 and four other Chinamen found inside the house smoking were fined 40s. each.

  Detective sergeant Rawlings said that while passing by the house at 2 a.m. he noticed a strong smell of opium. Unable to obtain admission, he

obtained a ladder, and, with other officers, got

into a window on the first floor. In the room he found the occupier sitting on the bed and other men lying on beds with pipes in their hands.

 

When they saw us," said the officer, "there was general pandemonium. They threw their, pipes down, and some of them decamped."

Root, (the magistrate) told the prisoners that opium smoking in this country was unlawful although, as probably they had been got up to it, there were extenuating circumstances. 

 

 

24.02.1920; Limehouse Lures.

 

A well-dressed young girl was placed in dock at Thames police court on Saturday on a, charge of insulting behaviour. Her mother, in reply to the magistrate (Mr, s, said that her daughter had been a good girl up to a few weeks ago, when she got into bad company. She had taken to visiting the Chinese quarter of East London, and had been led away by unstable

 companions.

  Wiping her hands, the mother looked alarmingly at her daughter in the dock, and said, "Won't you come home, Jessie? Won’t you come home? Do come home and be a good girl!'' The girl, however, closed her eyes, bent her he head, and made no reply.

  Speaking in angry terms, the mother said "You should see those dens at Limehouse -those cafes call them—they ought to be swept away."

  The magistrate told the mother to speak to her daughter privately, and also asked the lady missionary to see her with a view to reclamation.

 

 

23.04.1920; E.E.N.; FUNERAL OF CHING PING.

 

  Dense crowds assembled in High-street, Poplar, controlled by mounted and foot police, to witness the funeral yesterday, of Mr. Ching Ping Yeu, a prominent official of the Chinese Freemason Society. The hearse and flower-laden landau were followed by eighteen coaches. Messrs. Westbrook and Chivers, undertakers, of High-street, were responsible for the arrangements.

 

 

15.04.1920; Daily News; LONDON'S EXPANDING, CHINATOWN.

 

Rearing Dogs to Provide Tasty Dishes.

 

  The Chinese population of London is increasing. The Orientals have overflowed from Chinatown, and are taking houses in adjacent districts, while many of them have businesses or are employed in the West End. At one time their haunts were pretty well confined to Pennyfields, Limehouse Causeway and West India Dock-road, but nowadays their homes are to be found in Poplar High-street and in most of the adjacent roads. While many

 of the men are seamen who come and go, others have settled in this country, and have married English girls, as may be gathered from the number of half-caste children to be seen.

   "It would be better if the Chinese population shelved a tendency to decrease," said a gentleman engaged in social work in Chinatown to a Daily News" representative yesterday. "-We have had some little trouble up here with the English people who claim that the Chinaman is competing with them for houses, and offering high rents. They are prosperous, and

they seem to have a social sense and a co-operative system of living. They undoubtedly do live with English girls, but I am told that they make affectionate husbands and devoted fathers."

  In Chinatown yesterday "The Daily News" representative was shown a soap

stone Chinese idol, taken from a house in the East End. and was told of a place where dogs are bred in order to provide "Chink" crews with tasty dishes.

  Some of their restaurants are famous, and it is stated that West End parties often motored down to taste Chinese tea, which was said to be "perfection." The 'Chinatown “newspaper" is a written bill, stuck up on the street walls.

 

 

26.06.1920; Daily Telegraph; CHILDREN OF CHINATOWN,

 

AN EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT.

 

   Vivid imagination and kinema, pictures have established a belief that Chinatown in London consists of opium dens wherein lurid dramas are continually taking place. It is a quarter known only to comparatively few, and the ordinary citizen, asked where it lies, would reply vaguely, "Somewhere in the East-end." As a matter of fact, there are two Chinese quarters, each outwardly placid and unromantic one on the north and the other on the south of the West India Dock-road; and those who have any inside on the subject aver that there are marked sectarian dividing lines between the residents in them.

   To anyone who has not explored this quarter since say, before the war, the increase in the number of shops and restaurants kept by Chinese subjects is noticeable. The fact points to a more or less permanent population from the Eastern Republic, which has created its own problems. And one of these is that of a rising generation of Chinese nationality,

who know nothing whatever of their own language. The London County Council school which meets the educational needs of this area is situate in Dingle lane, High-street, Poplar, and upon its rolls are several boys and a few infants whose paternal parentage at least is Chinese. But they are receiving exactly the same instruction as their English classmates.

One bright little fellow of most unmistakably Mongolian type, called forward to talk to the inquirer interested in the subject, proudly told in excellent English how he had lately won a certificate for his knowledge of arithmetic, and then volunteered information that he was just beginning to learn Chinese.

  It is on behalf of such children that an interesting movement has just been initiated. At the present time it happens there are a number of leaned and wealthy Chinese gentlemen in this country, and there is also an Anglo-Chinese Friendship Bureau. Classes are to be opened to teach Chinese children their own language, and to assist Chinese men to learn English. By arrangement with the Education Committee, rooms in the Dingle-lane School will be lent for the purposes Those who have most

actively bestirred themselves in this matter are Mr. Lo Chong, the Chinese Consul in this country, Mr. Ahwee, Mr. B. Shen, and Mr. Yong, all of whom are well-known members of their own community, and they have enlisted the practical aid of learned graduates, who can teach their own tongue as it is spoken by the more educated classes, and of ladies and gentlemen who have lived in China to give instruction in English. Announcement of these classes was extensively made, and something like forty children and fifty adults promptly put down their names to join them. A small fund has been raised to meet the expenses likely to be

incurred and two of the Chinese shopkeepers will take charge of any further gifts that may be raised locally.

   Pennyfields is curtly dismissed by the historians of London, but it is the centre of the Chinese population of, London. You are conscious of being watched keenly as you make a pilgrimage through it, whether from the doors half open through which the children playing in the passages may be seen! or those gathered on the pavements. The Chinese woman is not often met in the district, for in most cases the Chinaman here resident has found an English partner willing to share lot. Still, occasionally one may have come over and taken half part in the business. There are several shops devoted to the sale of tobacco, and it would seem that

Celestial tastes approve of most of the well-known brands. Tinned provisions loom largely also in the windows, and now and again may be seen some curious-looking pieces of dried fish, while there are

strange comestibles as to whose constituents it would be rash to hazard guesses. There are various houses in which the equivalent of apartments may be obtained. With their English neighbours the Chinese stand generally in good esteem, for in London is in the Far East, their commercial dealings are honourable and just. Moreover, there is as Mr. Russell, the genial and comprehending headmaster of the Dingle-lane Schools, has proved by experience, a friendly fraternising between the

children, and alike in the class rooms and the playground, the Chinese youngster is treated quiet as a true little Londoner.

 

 

01.10.1920; Daily Express; Yellow Peril in London

 

Vast Syndicate Of Vice With Its Criminal Master

 

Women And Child Victims

 

   A Chinese syndicate, backed by millions of money, and powerful, if mysterious, influences, is at work in the East End of London. Its object is the propagation of vice. It is succeeding only too well.

  The headquarters of the syndicate are known to be either in Peking or Hong-Kong, but all efforts to trace the principals have proved futile.

    Scores of minor agents have been rounded up by the police authorities but they are as silent as the grave When comes to revealing the secrets of their employers.

    Patient police work carried on against tremendous odds has resulted in establishing the fact that scattered throughout the world are thousands the agents of this secret Chinese syndicate, which promotes the pernicious opium trade, operates gambling houses, and more important still from the national standpoint, is corrupting women and children by the fascinations of the Chinese lottery game known as puck-a-boo.

  This phase is constituting a growing Yellow Peril" that the police of the East End of London have been combating for months. Their efforts have been reinforced by far-seeing Magistrates, who, instead of merely inflicting fines on Chinese offenders, have been imposing sentences of imprisonment, followed by deportation.

 

VILE SYNDICATE.

 

  Even drastic measures not eliminated the evil. As fast as one set

of agents is deported another set mysteriously reappears to carry on the

work of the vile syndicate: The master agent of the London branch has not yet come into the toils of the police, and the authorities frankly say there is not much hope of success in that direction.

   The underworld of London, however teems with stories of a Chinese Moriarty, that figure of the master criminal made famous in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's “Sherlock Holmes" adventures.

  There is a curious consistency about the descriptions of the operations of this Chinese master criminal by white members of the world of crime. His habitat is a mean street in the East End. He is ostensibly a humble merchant and he displays in the window dwelling and headquarters, a few packets of tea or dried vegetables so dear to the hearts of his fellow Celestials. Before the new regulations of opium smoking came into force, he used to receive a few selected white “guests” from the West End. He would welcome them in a small clean room with matted benches and wooden benches. Entrance was obtainib1e only by a peculiar set of knocks on the door. Saffron guides conducted the visit though dark passages and

other doors to an unexpected staircase, which led to the sanctum.

 

OPIUM.   The Chinese Moriarty, with the condescension of a potentate, would nod from his couch and suspend for a moment the twirling over the coconut-oil lamp of the treacle-like mass on the point of a long needle, called a yen hock, to utter a welcome in perfect English couched in the flowery terms of the East. Then he would resume the twirling of his beloved opium which, from. a thick, black mass. bubbled and turned to a gorgeous brown. A deft manipulation on the edge of the stone bowl with a needle-point aperture, turning the opium into a compact tiny cylinder, a prone attitude, the, pipe over the coconut flame, lengthy inbreath that seemed to test the lungs, an exhalation of joy, and Mr. Moriarty talked.

  Such was the description of him, in his moods of loquacity. Since coming from China decades ago he has never been known to wander beyond the purlieus of the mean street in which he lives. Yet the affairs of the world are his familiars. Events tendencies, not only in England, but throughout the World, are discussed and dismissed with authority. The movements of people whom he had met he spoke of with the surety a chess

player describing the manoeuvres of the board. "So-and-So was in Capetown 'a fortnight ago. he is probably in Johannesburg now. and will then go on to China. So-and-So doing two years for forgery in the States. His fake wife living with a fake Indian prince.”

 

IN THE UNDERWORLD.

 

  Names of prominent people were constantly on his lips and hints were

dropped of his ability to send opium anywhere, to anyone. In the underworld his name is uttered only with that respect due to a master. Yet the underworld has never heard him mention the syndicate. Neither have the police in their persistent raids, arrests, and convictions found any one of the "Chinks” who would tell of the man or man “higher up." A secrecy, a loyalty to an authority mysterious yet potent, combats the police at every step.

   There are probably about a thousand permanent Chinese residents in the East End of London. They refuse to associate with Japanese. White Englishwomen seem to exercise a remarkable fascination for them. But the white women who fall into the clutches of the “yellows" are not Londoners, but mainly come from provincial inland towns. They are without exception young and pretty, but in what manner they are attracted to the Chinese quarter of London has not been unravelled. There seems to be a systematic policy on the part of the Celestials not to take to themselves women or girls of the neighbourhood.

   The attitude of the Chinese towards the women is of the strictest rectitude. Little gifts of sweets and delicate attentions overcome the aversion born of colour prejudice. Then comes the insidious suggestion of puck a poo or Chinese

lottery. The game is so simple that the most unintelligent child can play it. Dab ten numbers with ink, if the ten appear on the winning slip, as much as five hundred pounds can be won for a shilling. The five hundred has never been won, but women and children in the neighbourhood have won five pounds for a shilling.

    Throughout Chinatown are shops where women and children get and mark their slips and deposit their shillings and even half-crowns. The same night the word goes mysteriously round announcing the winning numbers, and women and children go to collect their winnings if any.

  The women are secretive about their gambling, and so are the children The Chinese always pay. There is no "welshing." The difficulties of the police obtaining information are beyond words. It only comes from the hard-working father who finds himself foodless owing to the gambling tendencies of his spouse.

    Then when an arrest is made in a gambling or opium raid some Chinaman

invariably arises and says to the chief of the raiding police: "I am the principal." When he is formally charged, he denies he is the principal, and the police are practically powerless to prove-it. It is impossible to trace a genuine occupier of a house let to a Chinaman, in the East End of London.

 

BANKING ACCOUNTS.

 

   It is likewise impossible to trace the ultimate recipient of money received from gambling and other illicit means. Each agent maintains his own banking account.  Each deposits his money because he knows that in a raid the money found will confiscated, by the police. The ultimate destination of that money is uncertain. The police are morally sure it is going either to Peking, or Hongkong. They are certain that neither Jews nor Gentiles have any part in the transactions, but that they are

entirely the affair of the Chinese. They are handicapped by lack of language and by the difficulties of identifying individual Chinamen.

   The police realise that there has crept into the community of the East End a "Yellow Peril" not formed of massed battalions of saffron manned bayonets, but composed of a corruptive organised financial force backed by millions, that is undermining the morale not of the men, but of the women and children in the East End. They have a tough fight in prospect; they know it, but they are confident of ultimate victory.

 

 

04.10.20; E.N.; THE LURE OF THE YELLOW MAN,

 

ENGLISH GIRLS' "MORAL SUICIDE.”

 

FATAL FASCINATION.

 

VICTIMS DRAWN BACK AFTER BEING RECLAIMED.

 

  “The Evening News" has to-day been furnished with the following expression of opinion on the problem of the yellow men and English girls in Limehouse.

   Our informant is brought into daily contact the subject, and endorses the opinion of the Thames magistrate, Mr: Cairns, who on Saturday said the problem was "a frantic one," adding that why young English girls should thus commit "moral and physical suicide was inexplicable.

 

Our informant writes: -

 

The problem of coloured men in East London and White girls has become so acute that at last the public are becoming aware of it.

  There is no doubt that in some degree it is one of the after-the-war problems, and the area of its operations is circumscribed.

  Those who are familiar with the facts know that the statement made by Mr. Cairns, the Thames police magistrate, that the problem is a frantic one is justified.

  Limehouse, and particularly that part of it known as Pennyfields, is peopled almost exclusively by Chinese, Japanese, and coloured men. The population is considerable.

 

PENNYFIELDS AT NIGHT.

 

  Most of the little shops are restaurants or gambling houses, and are the haunts of the coloured men who live anyhow and lodge anywhere.

  A proportion of these men form a floating population; sometimes they are at sea; sometimes in London. The majority are denizens of London who gave up following the sea months or years go.

  Night by night Pennyfields is a favourite haunt for a large number of

East End girls; they are invariably young and attractive.

  Recently there has been a movement of girls from West to East London, and the predominant characteristic is youth.

  The police of the H Division are familiar with this as one of their most difficult duties.

  Part of the problem is the youth of the girls; it is obvious that they do not appreciate the significance of what they are doing, and the difficulty is to restrain them.

 

FATAL FASCINATION.

 

  It is of common occurrence that these girls after being placed on probation drift back, lured by some fatal fascination, to this underworld.

  Drugs, gambling, and appeals to every human passion have their place in Limehouse. It is the distributing centre for opium and cocaine.

  Recently a Japanese was sentenced to six months hard labour and recommended for deportation.

  He was a large distributor of drugs and a purveyor of girls for coloured sailors.

  On Saturday a detective-sergeant made reference in court to the number of half caste children resulting from these unions.

  English girls are giving birth to children the fathers of whom are Arabs, Japanese, Chinese, and negroes.

 

CHILD VICTIMS.

 

  The ordinary machinery of the law is unequal to this new problejn. Binding the girls over under the care of the probation officer has failed; fines are no deterrent, as the fines are usually paid by the

coloured men.

  The time has come to draw a cordon round this area of London and forbid any white woman from frequenting it.

  The menace does not miss even children of tender years. The police have acquaintance with cases where young children have fallen victims to the lure and lust of the coloured races.

 

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5,1920; YELLOW PERILS.

The evening news and evening mail

Editorial Telephone Holborn,

 

   Mr. Cairns, the magistrate at Thames Police Court, has done

good service in calling attention to the dens of Asiatic vice in the

East End in which white girls are only too commonly to be found.

  To the ordinary decent Briton there is something repulsive about intermarriage or its equivalent between white and coloured races, but we know that the evil is a great and growing one, and it is of no use our trying to shut our eyes to it because it is for the most part confined to the slums of Limehouse or of Liverpool.

  It is of no use saying that the girls concerned are depraved of the very lower class. That is reason why a particularly nauseating scandal should be allowed to continue.

  We prevent the Chinese the worst of whom act as merchants in vice for other Asiatic or African races from smoking opium, when we can catch them. That is well, no doubt, but the extinction of dens where white girls are lured is an infinite1y more pressing reform.

We trust that now Mr. Cairns has given us a glimpse into the foul places the public conscience will insist on their being cleaned out.

 

 

07.10.1920; Evening News; CHINATOWN AS I KNOW IT.

 

GLIMPSES INTO THE LIFE OF YELLOW MEN'S WIVES.

 

By DOROTA FLATAU. Author of "Yellow English," etc.

 

  I KNOW well the Chinese colonies of London — how the Orientals there

and their white wives live and move and have their being.

  Pennyfields and Limehouse are a disgrace to civilised London, but the Chinamen themselves are not altogether to blame.

  As anyone who knows these people intimately, having visited there for years, I must regretfully admit that it is the white people who have brought London’s Chinatown into disrepute.

   White girls are not “hypnotised” —they go willingly to the yellow men.

And yellow men (who, whatever their colour, are. men are as much unable to resist the blandishments of pretty young-girls as are their white

Brethren.

  It is not generally realised that the scores of these girls who have come from Cardiff, Birmingham, and other centres to London met Chinamen who had been engaged in munition-making, aeroplane manufacture, and other such pursuits during the war.

  Mainly, they are girls of a low type. I will quote one very pretty girl, who is about twenty years of age. She is married to a Chinaman, who is the father of her four children, Laura (or Laula, as her present husband calls her) was previously married to a white man.

 

Laura's Answer.

 

  Answering a remark of mine that I supposed there was not much difference in home life between white men and Chinamen, Laura replied:- " No, there really ain't no dif'runce, A white’ll black yer eye. A Chink'll

cut yer throat!"

  And this is quite generally the outlook on life of the girls who haunt Chinatown with resigned philosophy, Lauri expounded her views on her life and for a white woman who lives with a Chinamen.

  " They treat you all right,",'she said "if you be'ave yourself. They like you to look flash and to go and ave baths and all. So long as you don't shame their face you're all right. What I mean is: you take up with a Hongkong man, you mustn't make friends with a chap from Shanghai, or_you're for it."

 

The Trouble-Makers

 

  As to the gambling —puck-a-pu and the rest — there is really no more harm in it when played by Celestials than there is in a white men's game of poker.

 

 

06.10.20.; E.N.; THAMES MAGISTRATE ON CHINATOWN.

 

"WHITE GIRLS MORE TO BLAME THAN YELLOW 'MEN."

 

EAST END BRANCH.

 

MYSTERIOUS MOTOR-CAR TRIPS TO LIMEHOUSE,

 

THE Thames Police Court magistrate, Mr. Cairns, who on Saturday, drew public attention to the "Chinatown" evils, made an, interesting statement at the rising of the count to-day. He said:—

   Publicity has been given to some remarks I made here in reference to

coloured men and white women,

I want to say frankly that my remarks had less reference to the coloured men than to the White women.

   The latter can hardly expect coloured men to show more respect for them than they show for themselves.

   I desire to pay the highest commendation to the police of the division.

   I myself have spent some time in Limehouse, and it was entirely owing to the guidance and knowledge I received from the police that I was put in touch with the heart of this question. The police ought to be commended.

   The police broom is now at work in Chinatown, and within the past week (The Eveninq News special representative writes) has swept out several opium dens and gaming houses.

   Chinese are appearing Thames Police Court almost daily. Four more.

deportations have been ordered this week.

   There are signs of a migration of Chinese to other parts of the East End.

 

some have turned up in the, Customs House district, for instance, and it looks as though Stepney and West Ham will have to keep sharp watch if they are to avoid the troubles that have come to Poplar.

    But Chinatown has ramifications far beyond the East End. It has established centres in Westminster and Hampstead.

  The proprietor of the latest opium den raided was stated by the men arrested to be in the West End.

 

PLENTY OF FUNDS,

 

  The police take the view that the raiding of one gaming den automatically closes two or three others.

. English residents in Poplar say that as fast as one door shuts another opens.

  The real principals, they say, are never reached. Very often alternative premises have been secured in advance in case of a raid, and are opened with a new manager.

  Squalid as these dens are in the dark narrow and almost forgotten streets, there is evidence that they are backed by abundant funds.

  No matter how badly the bank may fare the stakes are always paid.

The highest individual win of what I have heard was £300. It was handed

out as readily as though the amount had been £30.

 

THE “SOOTHER."

 

  There were temporary difficulties in one gaming house recently over a matter of £46. The luck punter became threatening.

  He was implored to be patient, and assured the money would be forthcoming.

  A messenger went forth and reappeared with bundles of notes. The £46 was paid, and the " aces" as they are called were resumed.

  There is a "race" or" draw "every hour. Very often workmen try their luck on the first at two o'clock, and remain gambling all the afternoon.

  Married men as well as youths have caught the craze, and "Puck-a-pu" has caused the selling of many households.

  A docker who found that his wife had pawned clothing and squandered the rent money on gaming went in hot anger to the Chinese cafe and thrashed the Chinaman.

 

UNLUCKY SYSTEMS.

 

  The odds at Puck-a-Pu are so heavy against players that very few people do win. But losers keep on persistently in the hope of one day picking up the high stakes.

  Ingenious people with “systems” of their own have persevered for weeks.

One man who thought he had an infallible plan for beating the Chinese is reported to have lost £72 in three months.

 

PRETTY PUCK-A-PU PLAYERS.

The Bland Celestials' Way of Gaining Influence.

 

  It has not escaped comment that winners at Puck-a-pu have sometimes been young and pretty girls.

   The suspicion prevails that the China men sometimes allow young Women to win in order to obtain influence over them.

  Mothers and daughters Who have gambled and got into debt without the

knowledge of the husband and father fall easily into the Oriental's toils.

Middleaged Chinamen are to be seen taking English girls of 17 and 18 and even younger to the local houses of entertainment and into their own houses.

  To the gaming evil is attributed the downfall of many young girls-who come under the notice of the police and rescue workers.

  Thus, gambling begets worse vices and from those vices are spread demoralisation and disease.

 

PURSUED YELLOW MEN.

 

  It is a fact that at his gambling games the Chinaman cares not at all who wins or loses. Trouble, when there is any in these Chinatown dens, arises from the intrusion of white men lads and women who create disturbances.

  A crying sandal in Chinatown is the conduct of white women there. Here the police should act, enforce the law, and arrest some of the girls as an example. Many of the Chinamen after all were brought into England and welcomed here during the war. Some are now maimed from serving in France, and at sea.

  They will faithfully obey any law their Consul lays down. Otherwise, they are haled before the Chee Kung Tong, the influential body of Chinese gentlemen who hold judicial court in a building in High-street, Pennyfields, to inquire into grievances or wrongdoings of their fellow-countrymen.

   On the whole, though affairs in Limehouse are sadly in need of reformation the Chinaman is not all blackguard. In most cases authority should look to the poor little gutter-sparrow girls down there, who, when all is said, perhaps are more to be pitied than blamed.

    A number of girls have been sent to hostels. " if they are sent away there’s a chance for them.” said a woman with experience, in these cases.

   “The older ones are almost hopeless and frequently relapse. I am bound to admit that many white girls throw themselves at the Chinese.

 

 

07.10.1920; Evening News; CHINATOWN AS I KNOW IT.

 

GLIMPSES INTO THE LIFE OF YELLOW MEN'S WIVES.

 

By DOROTA FLATAU. Author of "Yellow English," etc.

 

  I KNOW well the Chinese colonies of London — how the Orientals there

and their white wives live and move and have their being.

  Pennyfields and Limehouse are a disgrace to civilised London, but the Chinamen themselves are not altogether to blame.

  As anyone who knows these people intimately, having visited there for years, I must regretfully admit that it is the white people who have brought London’s Chinatown into disrepute.

   White girls are not “hypnotised” — they go willingly to the yellow men.

And yellow men (who, whatever their colour, are. men are as much unable to resist the blandishments of pretty young-girls as are their white

Brethren.

  It is not generally realised that the scores of these girls who have come from Cardiff, Birmingham, and other centres to London met Chinamen who had been engaged in munition-making, aeroplane manufacture, and other such pursuits during the war.

  Mainly, they are girls of a low type. I will quote one very pretty girl, who is about twenty years of age. She is married to a Chinaman, who is the father of her four children, Laura (or Laula, as her present husband calls her) was previously married to a white man.

 

Laura's Answer.

 

  Answering a remark of mine that I supposed there was not much difference in home life between white men and Chinamen, Laura replied:- " No, there really ain't no dif'runce, A white’ll black yer eye. A Chink'll

cut yer throat!"

  And this is quite generally the outlook on life of the girls who haunt Chinatown with resigned philosophy, Lauri expounded her views on her life and for a white woman who lives with a Chinamen.

  " They treat you all right,",'she said "if you be'ave yourself. They like you to look flash and to go and ‘ave baths and all. So long as you don't shame their face you're all right. What I mean is: you take up with a Hongkong man, you mustn't make friends with a chap from Shanghai, or_you're for it."

 

The Trouble-Makers

 

  As to the gambling —puck-a-pu and the rest — there is really no more harm in it when played by Celestials than there is in a white men's game of poker.

 

 

14.10.1920; Evening News; GIRLS WHO PROPOSE TO CHINAMEN.

 

Leap Year Weddings in Limehouse,

 

STRANDED SEAMEN,

 

   London's Chinatown catches wayward and romantic young girls, possibly by its atmosphere of Eastern mystery. But the most potent lure with many is the lotus eating life.                •

    No women in the East End have so much leisure as John Chinaman's wife or housekeeper. There are homes in Limehouse Causeway and Penny-fields where the women bask in the sun most of the day.

   Their Chinese lord and master does the scrubbing and cooks the meals in addition to earning, in some way best known to himself, the family income.

   One English wife in Chinatown introduced her sisters, and the Chinaman allowed them to be quartered upon him without apparently any protest. Or, if he protested at all it made no difference, until the neighbours began to talk unpleasantly about polygamy.

   Leap Year has not been forgotten by the young women who go to Limehouse, if it has been elsewhere. There is evidence that many of the register office marriages have been arranged by the English girls

themselves, and they have also, done the proposing."

 

The Bashful Bride.

 

   One girl told a Chinaman who had walked out once or twice with her that her brother was very angry about it.

     "When people, walk out together in England, "said this far from bashful young person, "it is expected that they should wed. You must therefore marry me."

   Afraid of outraging Western customs, the Chinaman did so, notwithstanding that his bride was practically a teenager.

 

00.10.1920; WHAT CHINATOWN SAYS by F. W. J. UNDERWOOD

LIMEHOUSE, Wednesday.

 

   Chinatown is up in arms because of the agitation against the Chinese who dwell in Limehouse and district.

   The Chinaman resents bitterly the aspersion which have been cast upon his character.

I talked to-day with a number of Chinese who have lived in the neighbourhood of Pennyfields for years, men who are educated and have the interests of their compatriots at heart.

   One said to me: "There is a   great deal of nonsense talked about yellow men and white women. The facts are very simple. Some of our men, steady and hard-working people, have married white women and have been very happy and contented with them.

   "Do you ever see a Chinaman in the police courts charged with assaulting his wife! No. Do you see Chinese charged with bigamy! No.

Have there ever been cases where English wives have run away from their Chinese husbands! No. Neither have there been cases of the Chinese keeping houses of ill-fame or taking money from women.

 

"Keep the Women Away."

 

  "I can tell you where the mischief lies. It lies in the fact that around here there is a large floating population composed of people from all parts of the earth. Your English women, an especially those who have until lately frequented the West End, have been coming down here a great deal of late, and they have done their best to make friends with this miscellaneous population.

   "And let me tell you that it is not the Asiatics who have benefited by the companionship. The men have been molested time after time. Keep those women away from here, and a great part of the problem would be solved.

  "I know the weakness of the Chinaman for opium and gambling. If he was left alone, he would smoke his pie in his own home and gamble among his own set. It is the visitor from the West End who does the most of smoking and gambling."

 

A Wife's Opinion.

 

   A similar story was told to me by Mrs. A Ling and Mrs. Chow Lan, two wives of well to do Chinamen, who have lived in the Pennyfields district for years.

  Mrs. Chow Lan said to me: "It has got so bad down here of late that we women dare not to take our children out because people point out us and laugh. And please remember these half caste children, as they call them, are well fed, well clothed, little kiddies who are as good as most, and better than many, of the children about here.

    "You want to know how I met my Chinese husband. I met him fifteen years ago in Liverpool, and since I have been married to him I have never known a day's uneasiness. He has been an ideal husband to me, and he worships the children.

 "I love him more now than I did when I married him. We used to go out in the evenings to the restaurants. Now those places are filled with English girls who are out searching for me—and we go no more.

 

"Just an Ordinary Home."

 

 "My home life? It is just like an ordinary English home. Some people have got an idea that we live in a place something like a heathen

temple with bells and incense about and a curved sword or two on the walls.

  "The place is, as you see, just an ordinary English working man's home with English furniture, and a piano.

  "My husband eats his own food during the week, mostly, but on Sundays we sit down to the good old-fashioned English meals."

 Mrs. Ah Ling, who was present at the interview, agreed with her friend's statements, and added. "We thank the DAILY GRAPHIC for giving us a chance to tell our side of the story."

 

 

07.10.1920; E.N.; CHINATOWN'S LURE OF PRETTY CLOTHES.

 

£20 a Week Allowance for An English Wife.

 

£5,000 BANK BALANCES.

 

Little Shopkeeper with Country Seat and Motor Car.

 

  THE problem of " Chinatown" is being pressed on the Home Secretary. But it concerns first and foremost the homes in the East End.

  Deportations of Chinamen, increased supervision of restaurants, or new regulations about closing will not remove the moral plague unless the girls who now frequent this region can be influenced.

  There can be no doubt that the white girl is largely to blame, as Mr. Cairns, the Thames-magistrate, says, for the present situation.

  She seeks out coloured sailors shamelessly, and she begins her quest at a tender age.

    Many of these young girls are the daughters of dockers or stevedores.

   Their homes are dreary, and their parents are too busy with the eternal problem of making ends meet to spare them much attention.

 

"A BIT OF LIFE."

 

  They crave for "a bit of life." They find it in the promenades in the East India or West India Dock-road or in cosmopolitan Cable-street.

   The girl who lives with a Chinaman has money to spend, smart clothes to wear, new and fashionable shoes. She is not illtreated.

   At first sight she has the advantage over her frowsy and shabby but more respectable sisters. So, the quest for male company becomes more and more abandoned.

 

 

08.10.1920; East End News; OPIUM DENS PROSECUTIONS.

 

  A Chinaman named' Tam Kow, 33, was charged, before Mr. Wilberforce, at Thames Police-court on Monday, allowing premises occupied by him in Castor-street, Limehouse, to be used for the purpose of smoking opium. Two other Chinamen Chin Wan Low and Chang Ching were charged with being in possession of utensils used opium smoking.

   Passing the house in the early hours of the morning, Police-sergeant Culling noticed a smell of opium. By means of a borrowed ladder he reached the first-floor window raise the bottom sash, and lifted the blind. He saw Low and Ching lying on a bed each with a pipe to his lips, whilst Kow was standing near the mantlepiece.

   Tam Kow was fined £100 and recommended for deportation, and the other two prisoners remanded for inquiries. They were stated to be seamen, but there was no evidence of their having followed this calling for some time. One of them the police stated was suspected of trafficking in opium between London and Liverpool.

 

   A raid on a Chinese opium den was described when Cheng Lan, Cheng Tang, Al Kow and Ah Sop, Chinamen of varying age were charged at Thames Police-court on Tuesday, with being in possession of opium and utensils for smoking opium.

  Chief Inspector H. Mann stated that on previous morning, accompanied by other officers, he went to premises in Pennyfields Limehouse. Receiving no answer to knocks at the door, he broke the front window and forced back the catch, whereupon one of the prisoners opened the door. Going up

stairs to a back bedroom he noticed that some of the floor boards had apparently been recently removed and replaced. He took them up again and found a quantity of brown paper smeared with opium. Evidently there he has been a considerable store of opium under the floor boards. The witness also found under the boards three lamps, such as were used in

lighting opium, and a jar containing opium ash. In the room on the top floor, he discovered two broken lamp glasses, and under a board on the right side of the fireplace a bag containing a pair of scales used for weighing opium. In a back room on the first floor there was a lamp-stand and a bottle containing a liquor composed of opium ash and alcohol.

   The witness explained that those who I had been upset by opium smoking took the mixture as a pick-me-up. The inspector also spoke to finding other scales, lamp glass liquor, and pipes. Continuing, he said he

endeavoured to find the occupier—a man named Yung Ping—but he was not on the premises, having he understood gone to the West End. Witness added that a dice table and a fan tan table were found, and that the men except one lived on the premises. Two of the prisoners were married, and had wives in China.

   Inspector Knowler having given evidence.

   The magistrate recommended

 

 

25.19.1920; E.L.O.; Limehouse Chinese School

 

   In view of the emphasis recently given to the darker side of life in Limehouse it should be pointed out that the best Chinese opinion is as strongly opposed to the drug traffic carried on by some of the

Chinese inhabitants of Limehouse as are British people.

  Chinese students in London have themselves established an evening school in Limehouse for Anglo-Chinese children. Here the children are taught Chinese character writing and the history and geography of China. Most of the children express a keen desire to go to China when they

are grown up.

  The Chinese Committee have secured as teacher for this school a lady missionary returned from China.

   Mrs. Virginia, Kennish, of Kensington, a talented linguist, who has often rendered services to the Chinese as an interpreter both in the war areas and in London, warmly defended the Chinaman in a conversation with an Evening News representative.

    "Those girls who have gone into Chinatown," she said, "have, in my experience, generally lost their reputation before arriving here. Chinamen have married and are maintaining to-day woman who were the mothers of illegitimate children before they met them.

 

Some Stories.

 

    I can give an instance of a Scotch girl who has three children. She lived with a Chinaman for some time. He lately returned to China.

    "She will never see him again, but he sends money regularly for her support.

    "Another woman was deserted by a Canadian, who left her with one child. A Chinaman took her under his protection.

He also has gone to China, but sends her 10s. a week."

    According to Mrs. Kennish, the better class of Chinaman deplores the evils which have followed the incursion of new elements into Chinatown since the war, and are doing their best to discourage gaming and opium

smoking.

     "Many Chinese sailors are being kept here against their will," added Mrs. Kennish. They cannot get employment on our ships, and therefore we ought to see that they are sent back home instead of being left in the East End with nothing to do.

 

 

1920: CHINAMEN AND ENGLISH GIRLS.

 

 In a Case which was heard On Saturday at Thames Police Court, the

magistrate, Mr. Cairns, described problem raised by the relations of

Chinamen with white girls as “a frantic one." His expression was so strong that it may startle the British public. But he speaks with the fullest knowledge and experience. His judgment is confirmed by police court missionaries and by those who have closely studied life in the alien quarters which are growing up in several of our large seaport towns.

 Some years ago, an American from California, where this question explains

 Much of the racial antagonism which exists there, expressed his astonishment at the large number of half-caste children to be seen in the streets of Liverpool" and at the apparent indifference of the public to this state of affairs. But the public is not indifferent. It would be glad to see vigorous steps taken by the Government and by the local authorities to deal with these aliens who decoy white girls. There are ample powers of expulsion in such cases, which ought to be applied. It is even a question whether marriage should be permitted between a white girl and an alien with a totally different standard of living and civilisation except under the strictest safeguards.

 

 

5th Oct.1920 EVENING NEWS: WHITE GIRLS HYPNITISED BY YELLOW MEN

 

POPLAR APPEAL TO HOME OFFICE.

 

WHAT, OUE REPRESENTATIVE SAW IN PENILYFIELDS

 

The "Evening News " need make no apology for printing the alarming facts about London's "Chinatown" set out below.

  It is the duty of every Englishman and Englishwoman to know the truth about degradation of young white girls in this Plague spot of the metropolis.

  IT MUST BE STOPPLED, and to-day we are able to state that the Poplar Borough Council are appealing to the Home Office to take drastic action to Prevent what Mr. Cairns, the Thames magistrate calls the "moral and physical suicide" of unhappy girls fascinated by the yellow man.

 

 

THE LURE OF PUCK A PU.

 

Gaming Queue of English Women—"Easy Money"—

Pursuit of Yellow Men—Vanished Moral Sense.

 

BY OUR SPECIALREPRESENTATIVE.

 

 

THE eyes of the authorities are at last open to the condition of the Chinese Colony in the East End.

   It has become a scandal, a peril, and a plague spot.

   There is vice here without veneer, and the worst side of the problem is the association of white women with yellow men.

   Englishwomen are selling themselves to Chinamen; they are seeking out

Asiatics in streets where before the war no white woman ever walked.

The evil has during the past few weeks become noticeably worse. It is baffling the police and the social workers alike

 

FUTILE "RESCUES"

 

   Women who have been "rescued" and given a fresh start have relapsed and returned to their foreign masters, and have sunk lower than before.

   The unmarried mother with a half-caste child is only one of the several problems that are arising.

   And obviously this cheapening of the white woman among men who go down to the sea in ships must have reactions in the East, and in every part of the world where coloured and white races dwell side by side.

   Fines are useless. They are always paid. Deportations, of which about a dozen have been ordered during the past month, are more effective, and have already created much excitement among the Chinese, but they also only touch the fringe of the subject.

   The Poplar Borough Council has now called on the Home Office to apply

stronger measures, and there are signs that recent raids are making an impression.

 

“PUCK-A-PU."

 

   Unemployment among East End women workers may have been in part responsible for the recent influx of young women into Chinatown.

   It is related that an out-of-work tailoress tried her luck at the Chinese game of Puck-a-pu and won £30.

   Next day the Chinaman found a queue of women outside his door asking

to play.

   A woman worker declares that she saw, a mother take the shoes off her

baby's feet in order to raise money for Puck a pu.

   Stories of easy money to be made in London dockland have reached the provinces.

 

THE 'YELLOW MAGNET.

 

   The Women police who now go into the Chinese restaurants and move on undesirables have encountered within a mile walk in Limehouse girls from Glasgow, Cardiff, South Shields, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. Many of these girls are under 20.

   Chinamen did war work in the Midlands and elsewhere and made women acquaintances who have followed them to London.

   Provincial girls have been lured to town by the promise of a gay life and easy money.

   A young Glasgow girl who fell into the hands of the police was asked why she came to a place like Limehouse and " took up with Chinamen."

   She replied that her sister lived with a Chinaman and had told her, that if she, came to town she could make plenty of money without working for it.

   This girl was sent back to her mother in Scotland. Within a fortnight she reappeared in the Chinese quarter. It was ascertained that a Chinaman had paid her fare back to town.

 

VANISHED MORAL SENSE.

 

   A young girl of 16 who bore all the signs of respectable up-bringing was taken before the magistrate at Thames police court and bound over.

   She promised to reform, but a few days later was before the court again on the same charge.

   The magistrate said he was still anxious to avoid sending such a young girl to gaol.

   He warned her, and assured her of the help of the probation officer. She went back to the Chinese quarter almost at once, and has now been sent to prison.

   Those who have tried to help girls from this quarter say that the great difficulty is the unresponsiveness of the girls themselves.

   Their moral sense has gone. They behave as though hypnotised by the

Celestials, and seem helpless to break the spell.

   The activity of the patrols in Piccadilly and the neighbourhood of Victoria has driven a certain type of woman eastward.

 

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.

 

   She now seeks acquaintance among foreign seamen with money to burn."

Her traffic is not so noticeable in these darker and quieter places.

   A woman in the company of a coloured man the worse for liquor was seen taking all his money from his pocket in broad daylight.

   It is to be feared that parents of many of the girls who frequent the West India Dock-road are content to do nothing even when aware of their daughters' danger.

   And it is often difficult to get people who have a good case to prosecute the offenders.

Two or three nights ago some English girls of undoubted respectability were molested by yellow men.

   The police caught the men, but the girls and their families declined to make any charge. They did not want the publicity of the police court.

 

" PENNYFIELDS " SCENES.

 

  -I walked through Pennyfields, dark narrow street where nearly every house displays Chinese signs, and is a cafe or boarding-house at 8 p.m.

  I did not meet a white man or white woman. There were groups of yellow men at some of the doorways, and one could see men sitting round the tables inside the restaurants and hear their chatter.

" Women began to appear in this district as though from nowhere soon after 9.

   At 10 one could see parties of coloured men and white women in the bars and cafes on all sides.

     I went into one of the larger Chinese cafes and saw about 30 English girls there at 10.20

     Each girl had a coloured companion, and they sat four at a table eating pastries and sipping coffee (which is still 3d. a cup in Chinatown).

   I saw a fair-haired girl of about 20 laying her head on the shoulder of a swarthy and rather sleepy yellow man.

 

OMNIBUS PURSUIT.

 

   Two girls at another table were trying to attract the attention of a smartly dressed Japanese, who remained indifferent for a long time, but at last, when his arm was violently pulled, condescended to attempt

conversation.

   At the door of the restaurant, I saw a girl with a smart cloak and low-neck blouse shaken off by a foreigner whom she had accosted.

   She followed him up the street, but gave up pursuit when another yellow man, well-tailored clean-shaven; and swinging a cane came along.

   Another girl tried to detain a Japanese boy, who left her and jumped on an omnibus bus.

   She followed, jumped on the omnibus too, climbed to the top after him, and the two were soon in conversation.

   Two white girls—neither of them l shouldn’t think, more than 22 were having an argument at a street corner, each claiming possession of a yellow man, who stood apart from them; looking bewildered and waiting the issue.

   One girl was tall, with fluffy hair and painted face, and the other short. The shorter girl at last seized the man’s arm saying “Come on." Her parting "shot, at her rival was: “Like her— cheek”

 

“PLEASE TAKE NOTICE”

 

   I talked with two or three Chinese cafe keepers. Each, of course, denied that puck-a-pu was ever played in his particular, cafe, whatever happened elsewhere.,

  One Chinaman, whose shop was decorated with notices in Chinese, pointed out with pride the following in English in large type:—

   Please take notice no-one is allowed to loiter on these premises unless waiting for something to eat or drink. Offenders will be asked to leave at once.

   "If Inglis people come here, can I ask what sort? " said the proprietor here.

   “Do they ask West-End? No. I have been here many years and there are

many English in China. Deportation most unfair.

 

TERRORS OF "DEPORTION."

 

   “Deportion" as the Chinese pronounce it was the topic everywhere among the Celestials last night.

   For once puck-a-pu was forgotten.

   An official with great experience among the Chinese said that the better class among them had foreseen that the English patronage of the gaming dens would lead to trouble.

   "The magistrates are going the one way to stop it now," said my informant. "There is nothing a Chinaman fears so much; as being sent back to his own country.

   " There were a dozen places near _here where Puck-a-pu was going on at this time last week, but if it is going on now it is confined, I believe—as it used to be-to the Chinese themselves."

 

CHINESE "HOUSE."

 

   Puck-a-pu bears some resemblance to the game of “House" permitted in the British Army in France; indeed, it is said Celestials asked Scotland Yard to pronounce it a non-gambling game.

   A person desiring to “play” deposits his stake, which may be 6d., Is., or £1 and is handed a sheet bearing 80 Chinese signs arranged in two squares.

   Each sign is a word—such as sun, moon, stars, sky, earth, air, sea, or clouds.

 

SAFE FULL OF MONEY.

 

   The player takes a pen or brush and marks off 10 signs. Corresponding signs on separate slips of paper are shaken up in a bowl, and the draw decides the winners.

   If the layer has selected five winners he receives his money back, for six winners he may get £1, for seven £12 10s., and so on up to as much as £50 or £100.

   At a place recently raided the game went on from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m., and the manager had a safe full of money.

   The draw was made every hour, and men and women who had laid odds were content to send their children round afterwards to learn the result and if need be purchase a fresh slip.

   Cunningly the Oriental uses similar slips to wrap up cigarettes or sweets in the shops; so that possession of piles of these slips is not necessarily a proof that the shop is a gaming house.

 

 

07.10.1920; EE Chinatown’s lure of pretty clothes

 

  I have seen girls OF 16 engaged in it. 

  I have seen girls not much more than children buttonholing coloured men and even quarrelling about them.

    There are extravagant legends going round about the Chinaman's generosity. Several women who have married Chinamen say they are happy.

   One English wife in Chinatown says her husband hands her £20 a week.

    He is at home most of the day, and she does not know how he derives his income but the £20 is paid her as regularly as clockwork.

 

£30 FOR SIXPENCE.

 

    One of the oddest stories of Chinatown concerns a child thief.

    The child stole 6d. to gamble. She put it on "Puck a pu" (the Chinese game already described in The Evening News).

    Her mother scolded her, but soon afterwards learnt that as a result of the "draw" the stolen sixpence had won her child £30.

    The fame of this incident has gone through Poplar. Losses receive little publicity, and the fate of prodigal daughters led by inexperience into disastrous paths little sympathy.

    More girls with broken reputation are found in this area according to official evidence, than in any other police area of London.

   Their life stories make a sickening record. There is an authentic case of a father prosecuted for allowing the association of a Chinaman with a girl under 13.

    There is another case of a man with two daughters both of whom were unmarried mothers at 16. In each case the father of the baby was a Chinaman.

 

SCHOOLGIRLS' FATE,

 

    An authority who has dealt with many unfortunate girls says that girls who have done well at school are possessed of great physical attractions and good mental equipment have sunk within two or three years

to the lowest depths of degradation.

    A pretty Irish girl in the early twenties, who has often been before the magistrates, has repeatedly had offers of help.

    She was urged some time ago to return to Ireland and offered her fare.

    "If my mother knew what I had become she would kill me,!” was her reply.

    Some of the girls found in Pennyfields have had situations in the Wes- End.

    Several first got in touch with the Chinese through advertisements   or through being employed at places in North or West London where young well-to-do Chinese or other coloured men were staying.

 

WEST END "SCOUTS."

 

    Chinatown has active scouts in the West End, and it caters for vice in various forms opium, cocaine, gaming, and worse.

    A raid at Cardiff revealed 13 young girls under 16 in a laundry with Chinamen at midnight.

   The Chinamen encourage little girls to visit their shops by giving them sweets or promising them luck at the Puck-a-pu game.

   The Chinese seaman ashore often has £50 or £60 to spend, and his plan is to spend it before he goes back to sea. He is an easy mark for women adventurers, and is often more sinned against than sinning.

 

"PLENTY MONEY."

 

   Undoubtedly London's Chinatown is growing, and the Chinese are increasing their hold as Owners of property.

   When they buy, they outbid English people and pay cash down.

    There is much overcrowding in the streets where the Chinese live, and in some instances Chinese lodgers have paid the English occupiers to leave.

   A man who owns 100 houses in Poplar told me that he could let his houses to Chinamen for twice the rents he is receiving.

    “Chinamen have been after some of my houses for years," he said, "but on principle I will not let to them.

   "Unfortunately, other people do not seem particular so long as good money is offered, and so we have more Chinese here now than ever."

 

COUNTRY SEAT AND CAR.

 

   "There are Chinamen here known to me who have balances of £4,000 and

£5,000 in the bank.

   " One man has now a country seat and runs a motor-car.

   "A certain amount of money used to be made by the better-off Chinese by 'crimping' that is, procuring' Chinamen for ships; but there is not so much of that now.

    "The wealth of owners of little shops that never seem to do any business is one of the mysteries no one can explain."

 

 

1920; ENGLISH GIRLS AND CHINAMEN.

 

EAST END DENS OF VICE

 

    The Chinese authorities in London are co-operating with the police in their efforts to get rid of those haunts of vice in Asiatic Limehouse which Mr. Cairns, the Thame Police Court magistrate, on Saturday,

described as lamentable when fining Chinese restaurant keeper for allowing loose women to gather in his premises.

   Chinamen, coloured men, women and young white girls were there, some of, the girls with half-caste babies in their arms and the magistrate said that why young English girls should thus commit moral and physical suicide was unexplainable. To him the problem was a frantic one.

 Inquiries by a Daily Mail reporter yesterday showed that the police accounts of the gaming and vice are not exaggerated.

   Within a small area in and around a narrow street called Pennyfields are about 2,000 Chinese, hundreds of coloured men, and. a weird assortment of other Asiatics.

Some of the Chinese are married to English women and treat their wives and children with decency and respect. But it is the horde of unmarried and irresponsible Chinese and coloured men who live anyhow and lodge anywhere who are the chief trouble.

 

BABIES OF EVERY COLOUR

 

    You see babies of every colour and creed in Limehouse," said one authority. "And worst of all, probably 90 per cent of these loose women are suffering from venereal diseases. It is horrible. Many of these

girls have been drawn to their doom by specious promises and others have courted disaster voluntarily.

    "The police have certainly been very active lately, and it is evidently their intention to put a stop to the evil. Several restaurants have been closed, including one where the racial fights of a few months ago emanated. Gaming houses have been raided and the keepers deported. I believe at the present time there are a dozen Chinamen undergoing sentences, at the end of which they will be deported."

 

 

1921?: IN CHINATOWN,

 

GED BOGUS CONSTABLE AND GAMBLING.

 

??y Long, a tall, middle-aged man, was questioned? at the Thames Police Court, to-day, on charges of demanding £5, with menaces, from ??w, a Chinese seaman, at Pennyfields Poplar and of falsely representing himself

as a constable of the Metropolitan Police.

Prosecutor said the defendant entered the premises and said, I Am a policeman. If you do not give me £5, I will take you to the police station.

ugh not afraid, witness gave defendant ??? and the man then said, Next time I come you will give me £1."

Cross-examined, prosecutor denied that defendant merely asked for the return of some of the money he had last in gambling with dice.

 

 

the Bench had decided not to confirm the recommendation for deportation, but the remainder. of the sentence would stand. He wished the appellant to understand that if there was any repetition of the offence an order would be made for deportation.

 

 

18.01.1921; E.E.N: THE LIMEHOUSE CHINAMEN.

 

   Doe Foon, a Chinaman, appealed, at London Sessions on Friday, against a conviction at the Thames police court. Doe Foon was charged at that court on October 1st, and the magistrate inflicted a fine of £5, ordered him to pay two guineas costs and recommended him for deportation, the

charge against him being that of keeping a disorderly house.

   Sir Ernest Wild, K.C., and Mr. Frampton appeared in support of the appeal, and Mr. H. D. Roome was for the respondents.

   Mr. Roome stated that the appellant's refreshment shop was under the observation of the police for some days. It was frequented by coloured men and white girls.

   Sir Ernest Wild asked the judge not to confirm the recommendation for deportation. The appellant, he said, was 40 years of age, and had been in this country for twenty years. In 1918 he married an Englishwoman, and her sister had also married a Chinaman. If Doe Foon were deported his wife would certainly go with him.

   I want to say a word about this 'frantic problem,' as the Magistrate described it, continued Sir Ernest. "As the result of the action of the magistrate and the Press the population of the Chinese colony at Limehouse has been reduced from 4,000 to 300. The remedy is worse than the disease, for in the place of these Chinamen, who were perfectly well-conducted citizens, the houses have been taken over by people of another nationality, who are very much worse than the people they replace. It

shows how careful judges and even magistrates should be before they try to coin phrases for the newspapers."

   Mr. Lawrie said that after taking into consideration the appellant's past good character, and the fact that he had married an Englishwoman, the Bench had decided not to confirm the recommendation for deportation but the remainder of the sentence would stand. He wished the appellant to understand that if there was any repetition of the offence an order would be made for deportation.

   Reference was made by Mr. Cairns, the Thames police court magistrate, on Saturday, to the remarks of Sir Ernest Wild, K.C. M.P., at the London Sessions regarding Chinatown.

  Alluding to Sir E. Wild's assertion that owing to the action of the magistrates and the Press the population of the Limehouse Chinese colony had been reduced from 4,000 to 300, Mr. Cairns said that, as a matter

of fact, there was no appreciable difference in the population of Chinatown in the last twelve months.

   Sir E. Wild had stated, said Mr. Cairns the remedy was worse than the disease, and that the places of Chinamen, who were perfectly well-conducted citizens, had been taken by people of another nationality who

were much worse."

   "Worse than the disease!" exclaimed Mr. Cairns. "In my opinion, the daily parade of white girls charged with disorderly behaviour has ended. The appeals of heart broken parents whose daughters were hired to Chinatown are ended. The charges of playing Puck a Pu having relation to gambling are ended. The charges of smoking opium are ended. These are me experiences.

   "The other day a divisional inspector of police told me that the Limehouse problem was solved, and that Pennyfields was like a country village, and only yesterday an East End vicar expressed approval of the

results of the police supervision of Limehouse.

   'As to the people who are said to have rep1aced the Chinese, and to be much worse than they have not yet appeared and the police declare that they are utterly unacquainted with them.

   "This morning I was told by an authoritative police officer that Chinatown is quieter and more law-abiding than any-time in the last twelve years."

 

[With reference to the foregoing, both statements are exaggerated; and the truth, as usual, lies mid-way. So far as Pennyfields being like a country village is concerned, it would be interesting to know where Mr. Cairns has seen a country village resembling. It in England, for certain. — ED., E.E.N.”]

 

 

22.01.1921; E.L.A.; CHINAMEN VACATE LIMEHOUSE

 

RUSSIANS TAKING THEIR PLACE.

 

  At London Sessions on Friday, Doe Foon, a Chinaman, appealed against

A corruption charge at the Thames Police, Court. Doe Foon was charged at that court on October 1, and the magistrate inflicted a fine of £5 and ordered him to pay two guinea costs and recommended him for deportation, the charge against him being that of keeping a disorderly house.

  Sir Ernest Wild and Mr, Frampton appeared in support of the appeal, and Mr H. D. Roome was for the respondents.

 Sir Ernest Wild asked the judge not to confirm the recommendation for

deportation. The applicant he said, was 40 years of age and had been in the country for twenty years. In 1918 he married, an English woman and her sister had also married a Chinaman. If Doe Foon were deported his wife would certainly go with him.

   I want to say a word about this “frantic problem”, as the magistrate

described it." continued Sir Ernest. “As a result of the of the action of the magistrate and the Press the population of the Chinese colony at Limehouse has been reduced from 4,000 to 300. The remedy is worse than the disease, for in the place of these Chinamen who were perfectly well conducted citizens, the houses have been taken over by people of another nationality who are very much worse than the people they replace. It shows how careful judges and even magistrates should be before they try to coin phrases for the newspapers."

   Mr Lawrie said that after taking into consideration the appellant's past good character, and the fact that he had married an Englishwoman,

 

 

22.01.1921; E.E.N.: CHINAMEN VACATE LIMEHOUSE

 

RUSSIANS TAKING THEIR PLACE

 

 At London Sessions on Friday, Doe Foon a Chinanian, appealed against

a corruption charge at the Thames Police Court. Doe Foon was charged at that court on 0ctober 1, and the magistrate inflicted a fine of £5 and ordered him to pay two guinea costs and recommended him for doportation, the charge against him being that of keeping a disorderly house.

 Sir Ernest Wild, K.C. and Mr Frampton appeared in support of the

 appeal, and Mr H. D. Roome was for the respondents.

   Sir Ernest Wild asked the judge, not to confirm the recommendation for

deportation. The appellant, he said, was 40 years of age, and had been in the country for twenty years. In 1918 he married, an English, woman;

 and her sister had also married a Chinaman. If Doe Foon were deported his wife would certainly go with him.

  "I want to say word about this frantic prob1em” as the magistrate described it." continued Sir Ernest. “As the result of the action of the

magistrate and the Press the population of the Chinese colony at Limehouse has been reduced from 4,000 to 300. The remedy is worse than the disease, for, in the place of these Chinamen, who were perfectly well

conducted citizens, the houses have been taken over by people of another

nationality, who are very much worse than the people they replace. It shows how careful judges and magistrates should be before they try to

coin phrases for the newspapers."

   Mr Lawrie; said that after taking into consideration the appellant's past good character, and the fact that his had married an Englishwoman,

The Bench had decided not to confirm the recommendation for deportation, but the remainder of the sentence will stand. He wished the appellant to

understand that if there was any repetition of the offence an order would

be made for deportation.

 

 

26.04.1922; Star: MR, GRIFFITHS SEES CHINATOWN.

 

Midnight Glimpses of Life in Limehouse.

 

YELLOW AND WHITE.

 

  Mr. D. W. Griffith, the film producer, left Waterloo to-day for Southampton, where he embarks later for America.

    He told a "Star " reporter that he, would be back again within a year

to produce a picture here, and that he would probably bring Lilian or

Dorothy Gish, or possibly both, with him.

 

Big Film Plan.

 

  " That, however," he said, "will not be one of the pictures of the scheme which has brought me over here. The preparation alone for that

scheme will take two or three years, but I have received such encouragement since I landed in England that I feel certain now that our plan can be adequately carried out.

  "Letters have poured into me upholding this plan of the brotherhood

of man, the federation of the world, or, as I prefer to call it, the doctrine of common sense. and people who are a real force in the search for universal peace—not cranks, mind you but hard-headed, thinking people—have promised me support.

 

Limehouse Night.

 

   The outstanding remembrance of his week's visit here will be his experience of last night. For the first time, in his life he visited Limehouse—the Limehouse of Broken Blossoms."

  It was to Donald Crisp, the well-known actor-producer, who played

"Battling Burrows" in" Broken Blossoms," that Mr. Griffith owed his visit.

  When Mr. Griffith had concluded his speech at the Scala last night, Mr. Crisp mentioned- Limehouse, and Mr. Griffith insisted on going there at

once.

   Replacing their opera, hats with a cap and an old felt hat, the two set out, accompanied by Mr. Alex Stewart.

 

A Dickens Glimpse.

 

  After a visit to the Dickens house in Doughty street, the three drove in their car to the East-end. Stopping the car in the High-street, despite the pouring rain, they turned down Salmon's lane, peering through

blinds and cracks in doors, and walked on till they came to Burdett

road.

 Here they picked up the car again and drove to Chinatown.

 

In Chinatown.

 

"Everywhere," said Mr. Griffith, was apparently asleep. But we soon

found out the houses were all full of life. How people could live in these slums, and down in those little basements, into which we peered through gratings, I can't guess.

 

  "In one room we saw a party of Chinamen and women. On the table were many bottles of wine. Not bad for a slum.

_" Now and then we would catch the strains of the ting-sang, that Chinese

violin instrument of one string.

 

Solitary Policeman.

 

   "Only one policeman did we see on our Whole journey. The streets were practically deserted, but now and then we would see a solitary Chinese standing motionless in the shade of a lamp smoking, despite the pouring rain, and staring steadily at the ground with a sort of “I-don’t-know-who-you-are-and-I-don't-want-to-recognise-you“ stare. He was a “look-out,” I was told.

 

Yellow and White.

 

" Four couples we saw in the early hours strolling the streets—white

girls and Chinese—arm in arm. The women—three at least—among the most beautiful I have seen in this country, and most neatly and fashionably dressed. We get nothing like that in America. Whites and yellows live the poles apart."

 It was after 3 o'clock when the three men, soaked to the skin, left

the Minories, by which way they came back.

 "It is one of the most wonderful nights I have ever spent," said Mr.

Griffith as his train steamed out.

 

 

29.09.1923; EL.A.: MIDNIGHT FIGHT IN OPIUM DEN.

 

CHINESE SMOKING IN RECESS UNDER ROOF.

 

  A midnight raid by police, on a Pennyfields, Limehouse, shop, and the

discovery of two Chinese, smoking, opium in a recess under the roof, was

described at the Thames Police Court on Wednesday.

  Hop Chang and Pal Tu Hing were charged, the former with keeping the

premises for opium smoking, and the latter for being in possession of smoking materials. Chang was also charged with assaulting Police-Sergeant Owen.

  The sergeant said he and a constable found the men after clambering

through a hole in the attic ceiling. Chang threw his pipe away, and was

about to throw another away when Sergeant Owen seized him.

   Chang bit one of the officer's hands, and, seizing a carving knife, ran at the sergeant with it. Both men were arrested.

   Chang was sentenced to six-month hard labour and was recommended, for

deportation. Hing was fined £5- or 21-days’ imprisonment in default.

 

 

15.05.1923; E.E.N.: PUK-A-PU AT POPLAR.

 

Police raid on Chinese Gambling Den.

 

 Three Chinamen, named Ah Hing, On Lee, and King Hing Ting, were charged

at Thames police court on Thursday with; keeping premises in High-street, Poplar, as a gambling-house, and 17 English persons, including a girl of 16 and two lads of 16 and 17 respectively, were charged with frequenting the place.

 Superintendent Henry Mann, who with other officers, raided the house, which consisted of a disused shop with a few rooms, said Puk-a-Pu, or "plucking pigeons" was being played.

 The Magistrate. I “plucking   pigeons” the, English translation of Puk-a-Pu?

 Witness. — Yes, I believe so—plucking the pigeons of Poplar.

   Mr. Geo. Hindle, solicitor, who appeared for the prisoners, pleaded guilty on their behalf, but said they were the tools of other and more influential people, and received, he believed, one penny out of every shilling taken.

The magistrate said that there was apparently, a recrudescence of Puk-a-Pu in the Chinese district, and it was his duty in the interests of the community to put down. It was evident that the persons were the tools of a gang whose movements the police were unable to trace, but they could not for that reason be treated leniently, because that would be a direct incentive to men in need of work and money to act likewise.

   In fining Ah Hing £2OO, or in default three months' imprisonment, the magistrate expressed the hope that the undiscoverable gang would not let him down.

0n Lee would be sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, and be recommended for deportation; and King ling Ting to two months', and be also recommended for deportation

 In the course of the case, it was stated that Ah Hing had an English wife and two British born children.

 

 

24.04.1923; E.E.N: Terrorising the Chinese

 

  Sentencing to terms of imprisonment two men with bad records for running amok and causing wilful damage in Pennyfields, the Chinese quarter of Limehouse, Mr. J. A.  P. Cairns, the magistrate at Thames police court, on Thursday, said that he had very little doubt that gangs of men of their type frequented the district and levied blackmail on and terrorised the Chinese population. The latter were entitled to be protected.

 

 

14.03.1924; E.E.N.: Chinese on the Dole.

 

  The "Daily Mail" says:-

   How able-bodied Chinese in the East End of London live on the dole rather than work was described to a reporter by a woman who has made a close study of London's Chinatown. She said :

 I know one brainy Chinese who has been living contentedly on the dole since last July. His English wife admitted to me that he was drawing 22s. 6d. a week but it may he more. He is a clerk and also a clever artist.  He could easily get work', but he prefers' the dole. He is a great opium smoker, and he thinks it wonderful that he should do nothing and that the

British Government should pay for his opium smoking.

 This man has four children, two of whom are at school, while his wife goes out to work in the West End. She asked me to state that she had been employed by me at 15s. a week, so that she could draw a dole herself.

 There are a number of Chinese drawing the dole from the Poplar Guardians instead of working. Why should we work hard to keep these people in idleness when they might be working?

 

 

15.04.1924; E.E.N.: CHINESE COCAINE TRAFFICKER

 

   At the Old Bailey on Thursday, Brilliant Chan, aged 37, restaurant keeper, was found guilty on the charge of having cocaine in his possession, and, as briefly reported in our last issue, was sentenced

to fourteen months imprisonment in the second division, and recommended for deportation. Defendant had pleaded not guilty, and when arrested denied that he was in possession of any cocaine. It was stated in

evidence the previous day that when the police went to Chang's house in Limehouse Causeway a small packet containing white powder, which on analysis proved to be cocaine, was found behind a board in a cupboard in the kitchen.

    Chang, giving evidence on his own behalf, said that he had lived, at 13 Limehouse Causeway since last October. Before that the house was occupied by some Chinese. On two previous occasions, witness said the police had searched his house.

  The Recorder. Have you any idea what they were searching for?—No.

   Mr. Morris (for the defence)—Do you say you did not know that that bit of paper with white powder inside it was in some recess in your cupboard your cupboard. No, I did not know.

   Cross-examined by Mr. Frederick Ley the witness said he had been a restaurant keeper, and had had a restaurant in Regent-street. He had been out of work since last September, and had been living on some money of his own.

   Can you tell me how the cocaine came to be in your cupboard? —No.

   The Recorder. —Supposing the cocaine was not there on the January visit of the police, of course, it must have got there, between January and February? —Yes.

   The Judge. — Can you suggest anyone who would put it there? No.

   The judge. —Do you suspect anyone of putting it there — No.

   The jury, after some minute’s consideration, found prisoner guilty.

   Detective James said the prisoner was a Chinese subject, and had been in this country since 1913. He was a married man. As a result of a raid by the police in Birmingham in 1917 correspondence showed that Chang was then engaged in the drug traffic: Later he managed a restaurant in Regent-street, and in March 1922, Freda Kempton, a young dancer, who had visited his restaurant at three or four o'clock in the morning, died about mid-day from an overdose of cocaine. All the evidence in that case, said the, officer, went to show, that Chang supplied her with the drug

but there was not enough to proceed against him, Within a few weeks after

the case six Chinamen were arrested, who were actually trafficking in the street’s cocaine to women, and four of these were in Chang's" employ. Shortly afterwards Chang severed his connection with the restaurant, and became a partner in a night club in the West End. In October 1923, he went to Limehouse, and immediately after his arrival there, information

was received that he was still engaged in the traffic, but he was so crafty that it was almost impossible to catch him.

   The Recorder. in passing sentence as mentioned above, said: "It is, You and men like you who are ,Corrupting the womanhood of this country. Girls must be, protected from this drug and society must be purged.

 

 

06.05.1924; E.E.N.: PENNYFIELDS WOMAN SENTANCED ON DRUG CHARGE.

 

  Lily Brentano, 30, of Pennyfields, Poplar, was charged on remand at Bow-street on Saturday with being an unauthorised person offering to supply cocaine.

   Police-sergeant Yates repeated the evidence he gave at the last hearing, to the effect that at 7.45 p.m., on April 25th, he saw the prisoner alight from a bus at High Holborn and get into conversation with

two other women, known as "Big K.", and "Brixton Peggy." She said to one of the women, "I'll be in in a minute," and to the other who asked, "Have you brought it" she replied, "Yes." He then took her into custody', upon which she exclaimed, "Oh, well, you won't find any stuff on me tonight." When in the detention room at the police station she said "The other woman I spoke to has got the cocaine." When searched nothing was found on her. The witness had kept observation on the prisoner and other women

on previous occasions when they behaved in a suspicious manner.

   Police-sergeant Herod and Police-constable Proctor gave corroborative evidence, the other admitting, in cross-examination, that he had not seen the prisoner pass any cocaine to either of the other women.

  Mr. Cannot submitted that there was no evidence whatever that the prisoner, in, the language of the charge, had "offered to supply" cocaine.

  The prisoner gave evidence on her own behalf. She said her real name was Rumble. She got her living the best way she could. She was at present living with a Chinaman. She had been in the habit of taking cocaine in the past, but had none for the last three months, as could not get it. On the day of her as she had an appointment to meet friend "Brixton Peggy." She had no cocaine on her on that occasion and did not offer to supply any. She was aware that there had been a lot of talk about her lately in connection with cocaine. She supposed that was because she was living with the Chinaman, Bill Chang. He had been convicted in connection with cocaine. Her life had been made a misery when she went to the West End. Asked why, in that case, she went, she replied that there was no money to be got in the East End.

  Mr. Sanders, for the prosecution, said the prisoner had not been convicted before but she had for some time been suspected of trafficking in drugs.

, Prisoner was sentenced to six months hard labour. As she went from the court to the cells she screamed and struggled frantically, crying out, "Six months for nothing.”.

 

 

 

 

 

12.07.1924; Montreal Standard: Hidden Dens of Chinatown in Metropolis

 

London’s Limehouse Police Find Population Growing Rapidly and Steadily

 

 

LONDON, Eng.—London's Chinatown in, that area of mean streets to the right and left of the West India Dock-Road as it runs down to Millwall, brought into prominence by the case of Brilliant Chang, the "dope king,"

the cause at the moment of much activity by detectives of the Metropolitan police of the Limehouse division.

The Chinese population is growing rapidly and in consequence prospering

is coming back to the Causeway, and to Pennyfields, the two main callow " streets. In addition, a new area of Chinese occupation is being built

further east behind the Victoria Dock-road, at Canning Town.

Chinatown "slumped" during the last two years, and many of the Chinese and their white wives moved house to Birkenhead and Liverpool. Now they are returning fast for some reason, and fresh recruits to this difficult

foreign quarter are settling down from overseas.

 

New Restaurants.

 

Several new Chinese restaurants have been opened. Some are expensively fitted out. More and more white girls are seen in the restaurants every night. Parties come to here nightly from other districts.

Many strangers journey to Chinatown in the hope of adventure and experience. Carefully guarded. "fan-tan" and "pukka-poo? gambling parties at which English girls play along the Chinese, are held nightly.

  Several Chinese are under suspicion being engaged in the highly profitable drug traffic. Certain individuals, when they landed in England a few months ago were almost penniless are now obviously in ample funds.

They are flashily dressed in English clothes. They drive in private motorcars to the fashionable districts of London. They spend freely.

 

 

10.11.1925; E.E.N.: RAID ON PENNYFIELDS OPIUM DEN

 

   Three Chinamen appeared, on remand at Thames police court, on Thursday, Loi Quai, Lok Kwai, and Chong Pow, charged with being unauthorised persons, possession or opium. Loi Quai was also charged with permitting premises occupied by him at Pennyfields to be used, for the purpose of smoking the drug.

   In reply to Mr. G. Hindle, who defended Loi Quai, one of the officers who conducted a raid on the premises said that the prisoner had been in this country about 17 years. He was thrifty had saved money and was philanthropically inclined to a question about opium ash found on the premises, the detective said he heard that these ashes put into port wine and drunk gave the consumer somewhat the same sensation as that caused by smoking the drug. It was not, however, so injurious

   The Clerk – Which does it – the ashes or the wine?

   Mr. Hindle. — A little of each, I should think.

   Detective Bostic. — A certain amount of morphia is left in the ashes. He agreed that Loi Quai was very ill—probably from opium smoking — and had not long to live.

   Witness proved several convictions against Loi Qua, for keeping a gambling house, possessing utensils for smoking opium, keeping a disorderly house, etc. Lok Kwai had made many journeys to China, and was no doubt instrumental in opium arriving in this country illegally. Chow Chow Pow had also been fined for possessing utensils for smoking opium.

   The magistrate (Mr. Sharpe) sent Lok Rwai and Chong Pow to prison for two consecutive periods of one month and two months, and recommended them for deportation. Loi Quai would go to prison for three consecutive periods of one month two months and three months.

 

 

08.05.1926; The Sphere: DOWN CHINATOWN WAY.

 

A Peep Behind the Scenes in Limehouse—The Foreign Colonies of London Series, No. 111. By Arnold Palmer

 

Scores of people, inspired by Mr. Thomas Burke, must have paid a visit to Limehouse, and after spending an hour or two in walking about the featureless, rather empty, streets and catching sight of a few Lascars in raincoats entering a Home for Sailors, have come away disappointed, and convinced that Limehouse isn't what it was. It isn't; unless, like Punch, it never was.

    During the past eighteen months the Chinese population has dropped from 2,000 to less than half that number, and the decrease has not only

robbed the neighbourhood of some of its more picturesque characters, but is a result of successful efforts by the police to make life there a little duller. Nevertheless, the casual visitor is wrong in thinking that, because he cannot find it, "Limehouse" isn't there. There's plenty of it still, remote, mysterious, incredible. But no outsider will ever stumble on it, even by accident. The most he can hope for, the nearest he will ever get to it, is to have his pocket picked while mounting a L.C.C. tram in the West India Dock Road.

 

 

    You might walk all the way down a narrow, rickety street called Pennyfields, and never guess that the occasional Chink, wandering aimlessly among the puddles, was anything but aimless, or that every light except the street lamps had not been extinguished hours ago. The windows are dark; the doors are dark, too; and if you gave one a push, you would, as like as not, gaze merely into a black entrance corridor. So don't give a push. The gesture, besides being useless, is liable to be

resented.

    The blackness of the entrance is caused by a blanket hung across the passage and completely screening the interior. Behind this blanket—or

these blankets, for they hang inside many doorways, and are so greasy to touch that one gets into the way of using an elbow to lift them—will be a

small packed room, and a light on a kitchen-table ringed round with faces mostly yellow, occasionally black. They all turn nervously at the sound of a newcomer, and then, reassured, they bend again to the game, and the quick, persistent chattering is resumed. Such is a brief description of the characteristic scene, in Pennyfields—yes and in streets like Pennyfields in every great port the world over.

The Chinaman can't live without gambling.

   He has many gambling games. They vary with the premises, and he can, if he wishes, move from house to house or from room to room, changing

from Chinese dice to fan-tan, or to mah-jongg, or to Chinese cards, until he finds a table where his luck is in. I won't describe the various games. I don't fully understand all of them, and should probably fail in making you understand any. But they are notable for being extraordinarily fair; fairer than, for example, roulette, where there is a zero working

against the player; and fairer than bridge, where there is the complication of skill or lack of it. The Chinaman leans to games of pure luck, with the chances even.

   It is a strange furtive scene where there is no hint of ??? might as well be

able to swear to that as long as Limehouse is Limehouse. But neither will anyone here be able to run again one of those profitable establishments

for more than a little while, and in a very small way.

    The good old days of the business are over, and the dwindling of the resident Chinese population proves it. For the resident Chinks live on the visiting Chinks, the land Chink on the seafaring Chink. The yellow residents of Limehouse keep gaming houses and restaurants where yellow sailors may spend their pay. Those who, following the same simple and profitable plan, ran opium dens are the ones who have left the country, moved by a feeling of disillusionment or by an order of the court.

    But Pennyfields, in spite of its bright lamps in street and alley and the blocking up of its underground passages, remains a tortuous and sinister warren. Beyond the low-ceilinged gaming rooms, hidden doorways lead to dark yards and hovels full of strange and often hideous histories. Most of them, even the least accessible, have been “tamed” now; that is to say, Limehouse is staggering beneath the combined weight of electric light and the attentions of the police, and is keeping very quiet.

   Whether it is really dead, or merely shamming dead for the moment, remains to be seen. But it is possible to hazard one opinion. The Chinks aren't harried as long as they pay reasonable respect to the laws of England. They are, according to Limehouse standards, excellent citizens. They are also good husbands, and their English wives (there is, at this moment, only one Chinese woman in Limehouse, and she is the wife of a restaurant proprietor) are amongst the happiest and most cherished of Limehouse wives. The neighbourhood has a hectic name, but it would be a great mistake to attach all the blame for that to the quiet, inoffensive, square-dealing Chink. Too often he is the victim of our own proud island race.

   To see something of what I mean, it is only necessary to go back to the main street, to the world-famous bar at the corner. Turn in at the

first door, where the proprietor sits beneath a canopy of hunting trophies and surrounded by carved ivories and curios, valuable and worthless, of all kinds. Look well at this man, for he is known

wherever sailors foregather. He, and not St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey, stands for London in the memories of men sipping strange drinks in Rio

Singapore, Valparaiso, and Shanghai. He sits in shirt-sleeves at a little table playing a game of cards with a friend—a strongly built, genial-looking man of sixty or so, with a drooping grey moustache, a ready smile, and, in spite of a comfortable absence of collar round his full neck, a faintly pontifical manner. Of men alive on the earth to-day, this

is one of the best known by sight and still more by name.

???

I spoke in defence of the Chinaman - a wonderful scene, which makes me feel that I am taking part in a Eugene O'Neill play. More big-game trophies swim above our heads, but there are no carved ivories and Buddhas on side tables here. The walls of this long room are decorated at one end by a bar, and on the other three sides by the vilest crooks and

prostitutes of the metropolis. You would find it hard to match this company—impossible, I should have said, but for the recollection of the niggers in Seven Dials.

    Every here and there a face shines out, in the thick haze of smoke, by reason of its comparative innocence, but it is either the face of one of the younger women which, owing to some remnant of girlishness, deceives my incurably chivalrous eye, or it is the face of some sailor, fresh from his ship and with six months' pay in his pocket, who, having

strayed into this den of thieves’, is obediently drinking himself stupid beneath the critical, impatient eyes of the woman beside him. Most of the sailors are foreigners, and yellow foreigners.

   Generally, begin by dancing, and sometimes they end by dancing too—one last dance, supported round the room by the partners, who want to make

sure, just how far gone they are. A sightless pianist thumps the keys unceasingly, and every now and then one of the girls, with a little bag such as churchwardens proffer, makes the round of the room for pennies. I don't think that the pianist, oddly enough, is ever robbed. Unlike the sailors, of course, he has only a few shillings. Unlike the sailors, he will still possess a few shillings in the mourning.

    One last word before we move on. If your taste for realism tempts you to seek out this haunt, don't trouble to dress the part. A hundred pairs

of sharp eyes will strip you of your old clothes and battered hat before you have had time to order, in your pleasantly modulated tones, a drink. There will be smarter clothes than yours—yes, and speech just as cultured. But you will be known immediately for what you are. You might as well wear your top hat, lavender waistcoat, and spats. Better, perhaps; for in that case, you might set them guessing whether you weren't one of the swell wirepullers behind their own crowded stage.

   I seem to have been describing the Chinaman too often as a poor sailor or as a sailor about to become poor. He is half the picture, but only

half; there are, as already stated, a good number of residents, Chinese who live, and live very well, by supplying his needs. Some of these, like the keepers of gaming houses, are compelled to work secretly, though none the less profitably on that account; others flourish openly as proprietors of

restaurants—respectable, fairly respectable, and so on. Even at the respectable ones the company is not, naturally, that of Brown's or Claridge's, and you may always have the pleasure of meeting there again, after closing time, some of the quieter ladies and stronger-headed sailors from the famous bar, still carrying on in low tones the interminable conversations that never seem to end. The cooking is often - ???

 

 

12.03.1927; E.L.O.: CHINA IN EAST LONDON

 

Law-Abiding Limehouse

 

   A correspondent of the "Sunday Times” recounts how he took a young Swiss from Cambridge University through Chinatown in Limehouse. He says “Detraining at Aldgate, I took him through narrow streets to Pennyfields, which is Chinatown—a short, narrow, shabby street, small houses, Chinese

names over the shops, a few whitey-yellow children about, here and there, a Chinese standing in his doorway. From a tavern streamed light, and a singing noise, said and a gush of warm air as the door swung. One of the ladies of the house was at the piano, telling the world about her love that she'd wait a long time for, only he never 'came back. Customers, and their wives sat about, loving it and the roaring fire. Three serious

 citizens played out Throat Auction in a corner, and that, was the nearest we got to blood in all the evening. Limehouse-Causeway was a little brighter: several of the Chinese shops were lighted.  My Switzer

kept asking when we should meet adventure. For the life of me I couldn't

 tell him. We dived into a doorway, turned sharp left through a curtain into a Chinese eating place. A small yellow-white, serving girl asked for the order. Knowing no Chinese we left it to her, and she presently brought a great dish of smoking food. Ching Chang Wozzle or somethings she called it. Little bowls of most excellently, cooked rice also, and a little brown pot of China tea, no sugar nor milk, and a brace of cups with one handle each, but no saucer. The dish was a sort of savoury stew mostly shredded vegetables here and there a skinned shrimp and other oddments, not at all bad. The bill was three shillings, and I think

 regular customers would have paid less. There was enough for four ordinary people, and it if I go there again, I shall take my dog, because I hate leaving things. Seriously, a cold and hungry person without much

money might do worse than feed in that place.

   The back room in which we sat was filled with Chinese, rather sticky at first, but re-acting at once to a civil "Good evening They were quite chatterers, all except one young man with a very large face and hair

that stuck straight up. He wets a dressier fellow than the others he wore a coat, waved a bowler hat about a great deal, and talked without ceasing. This hairy lad with the big face was very noisy, splattered a lot, looked unusually dirty land we put him down a windy political person suffering from a bad temper, bad manners, and a Bolshevik up-bringing and the want of a thorough cleaning. Of course, we may have been wrong: perhaps he was just talking of his early tulips and the dog next door."

   Concluding "F.P." writes: —My friend said, 'You have men in China making faces at your women, hunting your missionaries, you are sending soldiers and ships out there at great expense and here in London, Chinese live and do their business in peace. How it is that mobs don't go and hit them, and loot their goods and burn their shops? Why have you not put soldiers and police to keep back the angry crowds from your Chinatown?” “Well,' I said, it's not done in this country. But you're right the English are a queer lot. Personally, I would not grieve to hear that some lawless Londoner had taken hold of that noisy Bolshevik chap and cut his hair, washed him, abolished his nasty bowler hat, and fitted a silencer to his calking apparatus: But shan't hear anything of the sort.' I sighed. 'It's not done here, thank goodness."

 

 

24.01.1928.; WESTMINSTER GAZETTE: A Special Correspondent's Log.

 

CHINATOWN IS SO UNROMANTIC.

NEW YEAR CALM IN PENNYFIELS.

EVEN FIREWORKS ARE BANNED.

By TREVOR ALLEN.

 

  Two Chinese flags, with sun rampant, were flying yesterday in London's

Chinatown-Pennyfields. A Chinese café in West India Dock-road displayed

the notice: "Reserved for Private Party till 8 p.m."

  It was the Chinese New' Year's Day, but it might have been a Scottish Sabbath.

• Unfortunately, there had been an opium-smoking prosecution against a

Pennyfields resident at the Thames Police-court in the morning. Perhaps

that had something to do with, it.

Anyway; there were no lanterns or buntings; except for the two flags, it looked very much the same grey; drab. Pennyfields when I wandered through it in finest of exotic sensations.

 My first call was at a Chinese tobacconist's inscribed with all the recognisable brands. I think his name was Chung, Ching, or Chang, but

he was far, too, occupied painting the banker's name on a pile of pukka-

boo" slips to worry about the New year.

   When I mentioned festivities, he mumbled something which sounded like!

 Oo? Um? Ah? New Year? Ah? Um? Oo? " And went on with his elaborate. painting.

 It was an Englishwoman in the shop who told me that nothing happened

nowadays, except a tea-party to the half-caste children in the New Café round the corner—the one with the notice. When I asked "Why only the half-caste ones? "She replied that, of course, there weren't any others round Pennyfields way, and recommended me to the tea dealer next door.

 

THE CHINESE SPHINX.

 

 The tea-dealer, whose name was, I think, Ching, Chung, or Chang, proved to be a perfect Oriental enigma. He, too, said " Oo? Um? Ah? New Year?

Oo, Um, Ah, and looked as though he could not remember what a New Year was if he tried. He moved stealthily from one side of the shop to the other, apparently

arranging, "business as usual'' with two other Chinamen who were there. But he did say, as a special concession: “Party—to-night—yes, Number 41."

    Number 41, 1 discovered, was an empty house, with blear, vacant windows and a door which looked as if it would not open to the crack of doom.

   The almond-eyed tea merchant had certainly put one over me that time, and I grinned and passed into, a little general store not much bigger than a cupboard.

 

VANISHED LIMEHOUSE NIGHTS.

 

    Behind the counter, and all but under it, was a little Chinee with a face of Buddhistic serenity.'" When he found that I did not want Sunlight soap or Rickett's blue, he too looked surprised, and said: ".00? -Um? Ah? New Year? Ah? Um? Oo ?'" and implied that he did not spikee Ingleesh: His name also was either Chang, Chung, or Ching,' I'm not sure which. In the circumstances, I don't think I greatly care.

     What had happened to London's Chinatown, since the piping days of Mr. Thomas Burke's' Limehouse Nights" and "Nights in Town," that one should encounter such desolation on New Year's Day?

    In Old Cathay itself, travellers like Mr. E. T.  Williams will tell you celebrations begin on the 23rd of the 12th moon of the Old Year with the propitiating of the Kitchen God or Spirit of the Furnace before the kitchen range by the whole family.

    On New Year's Eve the devout go round with lanterns paying debts, for no self-respecting Chinaman dare think of starting the New Year without a clean slate; some have been known to steal rather than do so, and on New Year's morning all the shops shut for anything from three to fifteen days. A. fortnight later begins the Feast of Lanterns.

    For these signs, actual or prospective, searched Pennyfields in vain yesterday. I could get no evidence, for instance, of residents having gone in procession with lanterns and money bags to the local Income Tax collector's office the previous evening.

 

VARIED MENU.

 

    The children's party' at the New Café proved' to be very much like a Sunday School bun-fight, with ordinary cakes and tea.

   One or two fireworks, I was told, might be exploded at night, but they would be homely English ones in any case, as the pugnacious native variety could no longer be obtained from China.

    But I did encounter a man who had been to a private party over a Chinese café in the Causeway the previous night, to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. His name was not Ching, Chung, or Chang, but 'plain Charlie Brown, Junr., landlord of the Blue Posts hostelry in the West India Dock-road.

     "No, nothing much happens nowadays," he said, "but 'before the war

 Pennyfields on New Year's night would be littered with spent fireworks inches deep.

 The police stopped all that."

   "There is usually a procession to the Chinese corner of the local cemetery, where the relatives leave food on the graves, and perhaps a bit of a bust-up-in the evening, he added, "but it is only in the Chinese quarters of New York and San Francisco that they have processions with dragons."

     London's Chinatown, since Mr. Burke abandoned it, has become rather like Poplar which is a pity.

 

 

1928: OPIUM SMOKING CHARGE.

 

    At Thames Police-court yesterday, Chong Sot Rwai, a Chinaman, was re manded on a charge of possessing materials for opium smoking and allowing his premises in Pennyfields to be used for opium smoking. Four other Chinamen— Tong Bean, Chang Yu, Chung Tan, and Chin Kwong were remanded charged with possessing, opium utensils.

 

 

31.08.1928; E.E.N.: Film Star Actress Visits Pennyfields.

 

   On Tuesday evening considerable excitement was caused in the neighbourhoods of Pennyfields and West India Dock Road by a visit from Miss Dolores del Rio, the Mexican Film Star, who is at present on a visit to London. Miss del Rio was desirous of studying what she describes as the underworld type, in order to gain knowledge for a film in which she will play and which will be written round the East End.

  Miss del Rio, so that she should not be recognised, bought and wore a plain frock, wool stockings, shoes; and a cloche hat all in black.

  She first visited Penny-fields, Poplar, E., and entered with a press representative a public-house frequented by Chinese and white women.

  The bar was hung with Chinese lanterns and nearly all the men were

Chinese. Miss del Rio was particularly interested in a group of five

Chinese and three young white women who were drinking together at a table.

   "Gee, I don't like that, somehow," said Miss del Rio.

  She went on to the only Chinese temple in London. It is in a side

street and is frequented by Chinese, who say their prayers before the shrine of Confucius. The street was thronged

with white women and children and Chinese, who appeared greatly interested in the slim -figure in black, despite her attempt to avoid recognition.

  Miss del Rio was the first white woman not belonging to the Chinese

community to visit the temple. She also visited a Chinese restaurant and

kitchen.

  In a public-house in West India Dock-road she saw a group of old women with mugs of beer. She exclaimed, "Just look at that woman with her eye stitched up—just as happy as the rest of them."

  The last place Miss del Rio visited was the public-house in West India

Dock-road known all over the world as "Charlie Brown's." In the public

bar a cosmopolitan crowd of men, women, and girls were dancing to a

pianoforte accompaniment. The ceiling was hung with a remarkable collection of curios, including war weapons.

  Miss del Rio chatted with some of the dancers. She went on to the

saloon bar, which contains a collection of Eastern curios, Chinese and

Japanese gods, costly carved ivories and bronzes, in the midst of which

people stood drinking.

  At closing time, she went to the drawing-room upstairs, crowded with

more curios, and signed the autograph book which contains the names of

People of the underworld together with those of world-famous celebrities.

   Miss del Rio during the evening also visited a beer-house where the

Chinese customers were playing fan-tan.

  _ "This is one of the most wonderful nights I have ever known," she said. "'What an orderly place Limehouse is! It is a parlour compared with some parts of Chicago, where I spoke to men who had been condemned to

death.

  "The people in Limehouse look so happy, and I have been told to-night

that there is no more law-abiding people in the country than the Chinese

here.

  "I have always wanted to see the underworld of London. I have seen the slums of Mexico City, but this is the first I have visited in Europe.

  "I have never known what poverty is. But I am intensely interested in it and like playing the parts of poor girls of the underworld."

 

21.06.1929;E.E.N.: RAID ON OPIUM DEN.

 

 

On Monday six Chinamen-Long Ying, Lun Wun, Pang Yang, Lun Chong, Li Yong, and Chong Shing-, who all lived in Limehouse, were brought before Mr.

Cairns, charged under the Drugs Act.

   Detective Albert Edwards said that at 8.10 p.m. on June 14th he went to premises adjoining 14 Pennyfields, accompanied by Detective Black, who went to the rear, while witness climbed to the roof in front. There he smelt a strong odour of opium coming from the attic window of No. 14, which was boarded up. Witness opened the window and forced the boarding down and, looking into the room, saw the six Chinamen huddled together near the door. Witness entered the room which was full of opium smoke. He then opened the bedroom door leading onto the stairs, and opened another door on the stairs and admitted Sub-divisional Inspector Dennison and other officers. Detective Black then entered the room and handed witness two opium pipe, two tins containing opium, and a packet of dross. In the presence of Pang Yang, Detective Black said, "Pang Yang threw these things through the window.' On searching the room underneath the bed were found an opium lamp, with the glass quite warm, and other articles of a similar nature were found elsewhere in the room.

   The evidence was interpreted to the defendants by a Chinese, and they were remanded, bail being allowed.

 

 

07.12.1929; Daily Express: POLICE RAID ON A CHINESE CAFE.

 

ALLEGED FIND OF RAW OPIUM.

 

   Two Chinese, bang Chee and Loo Sow, alias Chay Tai, were again remanded at Thames Police Court yesterday on a charge of being unlawfully

in possession of raw opium and morphine Sow was granted bail in two sureties of £200 each, and Chee in two sureties of £1.00 each.

   It was alleged at the previous hearings that when the police raided a large Chinese cafe in West India Dock-road they found at the bottom of a bucket a quantity of raw opium weighing 1lb. 12ozs.

   Chee is stated to have said that a black man brought the opium to the

café and asked him to look after it for him.

  Detective Lount said that Sow admitted being the proprietor of the café,

and said that he carried it on under the name Tai Tun Low Company.

 

 

1929: Alleged Find by Police Officers in a Dockland Restaurant.

 

  Two Chinamen, Dang Chee and Lao Sow, alias Chay Tai, were brought before the Thames magistrate, Mr. Sharpe, charged with unlawfully being in possession of raw opium.

  Detective-inspector E. Edwards said he went, with other officers to a Chinese restaurant and general stores in West India Dock-road, E.

   Sow was manager of the restaurant, Chee being an employee.

Inspector Edwards added:

    I told Sow who I was, and said I had a warrant to search his premises for opium and cocaine. He said, 'I have got no opee.'

  The inspector explained that the Chinese called opium by the name of opee."

  " In the service bar was a bucket, at the bottom of which was a quantity of opium weighing 11b. 12oz."

  The Magistrate. —Was it rude brown opium?

--Yes, sir. It is known as cut opium. It is raw: not prepared.

  Inspector Edwards said Chee stated that a black man had brought the opium to the restaurant and asked him to look after it.

  When an application was made for bail Detective-Inspector Edwards said he would have no objection to bail if it was substantial.

  Sow was granted bail in two sureties of £200 each, and Chee in two sureties of -£100 each.

 

 

1929: SINISTER SENSATION IN CHINATOWN.

 

Perhaps the Inhabitants Get the Creeps, too.

 

ALONG THE CAUSEWAY.

 

   My recipe for a sinister half hour contains only two ingredients: Limehouse Causeway and a London fog.

   I sampled them both to-day.

   Having read about the raid which Scotland Yard men carried out in "Chinatown" last night—about- the detectives who, .at a given signal, dashed out of the fog into and made two arrests; then into a house where they made two more in fog, and was impossible to find out what Limehouse is really like nowadays.

  Well, Limehouse on a sunny morning may be as cheerful as the bubbles in champagne, but Limehouse in the fog gave me the creeps.

  At the top of West India Dock-road the fog was not considerable. It clung to the houses like fine gauze. But as one walked towards the river the atmosphere became denser and damper, so that a stranger, unaccustomed to the clammy texture of London fogs, might have imagined that he was being hit in the face with a Wet blanket wielded by unseen hands.

 

The Bowed Figure

 

  How unostentatiously-how slyly, almost-Limehouse-causeway opens off the main road! Had I not searched carefully, I might well have missed it.

  Some distance along the street there was a railway bridge beyond its black outline nothing could be seen except the bowed figure of a Chinese, shuffling away into the gloom.

  I followed. The winding street was strangely quiet. On either side were-little shops. Through some of their windows yellow, long-eyed faces

looked out at the fog—and at me.

  I walked on, past huddled houses. Now and then I came to an open door. but saw no reassuring lights within—only a darkness deeper than the fog and a silence out of which occasionally there grew a sudden scamper of feet.

     Limehouse-causeway gave place to Narrow-street, and from Narrow-street still narrower alleyways opened—alleys which writhed and twisted among tall buildings and looked as if they led nowhere.

  I began to think of fog-swathed Narrow-street as a river of mystery fed by dark and tortuous tributaries: but-then I came to the real river-to the Thames itself.

   A tiny lane ended abruptly in a flight of steps; and at the bottom of the steps the brown stream went slinking by.

 

Shivers.

 

  The fog, thicker than ever now, seemed to, open its arms, to hold me. I shivered. The grey ghost of a boat went past, a few yards out on the water, very dimly, I could see man’s figure swaying as he propelled invisible oars.

  From the far bank of the river came a menacing Fumble of machinery at work.

  Back through Limehoute Causeway I went again, and across West India Dock-road into Pennyfields.

  In Pennyfields, as-elsewhere in Limehouse, many shop windows were heavily shuttered.

  It was easy to imagine that somewhere-behind those shutters were secret passages and rooms filled with the unconscious forms of-men from whose limp fingers the opium pipe had fallen to the ground.

  I _thought of the sort of sub-titles which were in old-fashioned film serials.

 

   AND THERE IN THE VELVET DARKNESS THE DREAD DEITY OF OPIUM CLAIMED YET ANOTHER VICTIM DON'T MISS NEXT WEEKS INSTALLMENT.

 

  As a matter of fact, it was easy to imagine anything in Lime-house to-day, and the inbabitants have only themselves to blame. I mean, there is nothing  more conducive to vivid imaginative flights than the sight of a lot of shut shutters.

 

Perhaps-

 

  It may be, of course, that the Chinese are rather proud of living in a district which looks so sinister, and do all they can to intensify the

atmosphere in the hope that a film producer will come along to buy the place and give them all fat contracts.

  Or it may be, on the other hand, that the Chinese are sensitive people and that  when there is a fog they prefer to shut out the sight of Limehouse. Perhaps it gives the the creeps, too. P. C.

 

 

1929: LIMEHOUSE SECRETS

 

Barred Doors, Trap Flaps, and Hidden Bell in Opium Raid.

 

   How Scotland Yard officers raided a house of many doors in Limehouse-Causeway E., and arrested two Chinese on opium-smoking charges, was related a Thames Police Court to-day.

   Many Chinese, men and women, listened in the gallery to the evidence and saw two compatriots Man Fat and You Ah Hing, sentenced to two

months’ imprisonment. After serving the sentence they are to be recommended for deportation.

    The two men, who were charged with possessing articles for opium smoking and with frequenting a house in Limehouse-Causeway to smoke opium, were represented by a Chinese solicitor.

 

The Concealed Bell

 

  Detective-constable Arthur Lount, of Scotland Yard, describing the raid, said: -

   "At 3.30 p.m. yesterday, with other officers, went to 17, Limehouse-causeway, which I entered by virtue of a search warrant.

   "I entered through the outer doorway. On the foot of the stairs, leading to the next floor, I found an electric bell concealed under the

linoleum. It was placed so that it would be pressed by the foot.

 

Six-Inch Door Forced.

 

   " I went to the next floor where I found a stout black door, which I forced.

 "   On the landing, leading to the next stairs, I found another stout black door. It was about six inches thick.

 The Constable here produced a tea-pot used for preparing opium. It was found in one of the rooms. He continued: -

   There were also two needles, two pairs of scissors, one knife—all used for preparing opium. There were also two pieces of wire used for cleaning pipes.

   In the second room there was one couch. The rooms were filled with opium fumes.

   When cautioned at Limehouse Police station, Fat said, “Me no smoke.” Ling said, “Me there, but no smoke. Me see friends.” Later they were charged, and made the same reply."

   The evidence was translated into Chinese for the two men in the dock by their legal representative.

   Detective Randall, who said he saw Fat on the roof of the house, added: —

  “I climbed a ladder to the roof. Fat jumped on to some outhouses. I followed and arrested him."

 

A Bamboo Pipe.

 

   Detective Fairbairn said Hing climbed to the roof of the next house. Later he came out of another house in the Causeway.

When arrested Hing had a bamboo pipe under his coat.

   Hing (excitedly). — Not me.

The detective said the pipe was half filled with a brown substance which be presumed to be opium.

Through his solicitor Hing said, l picked up the pipe in the street.

Man Fat, going into the witness box was sworn in Christian fashion. He said he called at thee raided house to see a friend.

Each man was sent to prison for two months on each charge, the sentences to run consequently.

 

 

16.11.1929; Daily Express: BLACK DOORS IN AN OPIUM DEN.

 

ELECTRIC BELL UNDER LINOLEUM.

 

POLICE RAID

 

 A raid by policemen on a house with many doorS, was described at the

Thames Police Court yesterday when two Chinese—Man Fat and You Ah Hing—were charged with possessing articles for opium smoking and frequenting a house at Limehouse causeway for the purpose of opium smoking.

 The two Men were represented by Chinese solicitor.

 Detectives, Arthur Lount, of, Scotland-yard, told the story of the raid.

   “At 3.30 p.m. yesterday," he said, "with other detectives I went to the house at Limehouse-causeway, which I entered by virtue of a search warrant.

 

DOOR FORCED.

 

 "I entered through the outer doorway, and on the foot of the stair leading to the next floor I found an electric bell concealed under the linoleum."

 The magistrate: Placed so that it .A-i-)1.11d be pressed by the foot?

 Detective Lount: Yes.

 He added:

  I went to the next floor, where I found a stout black door, which I forced.

   On the landing reading to the next stairs, I found another stout black door.

 it was made of planks and battens of a total thickness of about six inches.

  I forced that with considerable difficulty. I found further progress was barred by a stout, trap-door completely covering the staircase. It was firmly bolted. I heard a considerable shuffling of feet on the floor above and some shouting. I eventually entered by climbing up a sloping roof outside, and then into a window. I found on the landing a ladder leading to an open trap-door in roof.

    Two rooms were full of opium fumes. In the large room were two iron bedsteads converted into couches with mats and wooden pillows, and on a small table there was a lamp used for heating opium.

  There were also two needles, two pairs of scissors; one knife, all used for pre paring opium. There were also two pieces of wire used for cleaning pipes.

   There was one couch in the second room.

   Fat said when cautioned at Limehouse Police Station. "Me no smoke”. Hing said “Me there but no smoke. Me see friends."

   Detective Randall said that he saw Hing climb on the roof of the house.

 

 ROOF CHASE.

 

  “I climbed on the roof," added the detective "by means of a ladder. Fat

jumped on some outhouses. I followed and arrested him."

Detective Fairbairn said that he-saw Hing climb from the roof of the house to the roof of the next house. Later, he saw him leave the door of another house in the Causeway. He arrested him in the street.

 Each man was sent to prison for two months on each charge, the sentones to run concurrently. They were recommended for deportation. Two other Chinese, Dang Chee and Loo Sow; alias Chay Tai, were later broughtup before the magistrate, and charged with unlawfully being in possession of raw opium.

 Detective Inspector Edgar Edwards said that on Thursday afternoon he went with other detectives to a Chinese restaurant and general stores in West India Dock-road.

 

BUCKET FIND.

 

  "In the service bar,” he said, "was a refuse bucket and Detective Lount

drained off the water and refuse. At the bottom of the bucket was found a

quantity of opium weighing one pound twelve ounces."

  Mr. Barnett, defending, asked for a remand, and the case was adjourned

until November 22.

  Inspector Edwards said that he would have no 'bjection to bail if it was substantial.

 Mr. Barnett said that Sow was part proprietor and lessee of the largest

Chinese catering business in the East End of London.

 Sow was granted bail in two sureties of £2Q0 each, and Chee in two sureties of £100, each.

 

 

06.02.1931; E.E.N.:  Chinese on Opium Charge

 

  At Thames Police Court on Friday four Chinese appeared in the dock before Mr. Barrington Ward, following a police raid at a house in Pennyfields, Limehouse, on Thursday night.

   The Chinese were described as Pang Yang, Ah Tong Hai, Wong Kwong, and

Loung Hing. They were all charged with being in possession of opium and of opium-smoking utensils. Mr. Edward, Fail, solicitor, pleaded not guilty on behalf of each of the men.

  Inspector Walter Tuck said that on the previous night he followed Loung

Hing into the house. When told that he would be searched Hing dropped

two pieces of opium on the floor.

   Mr. Barrington Ward.—I have never seen any opium in my life. Do let me

see it.

   The inspector handed two small paper packets to the magistrate, who examined them with interest.

  Inspector Tuck said that on the stairs he met Pang Yang, who immediately dashed upstairs shouting loudly in Chinese. Yang and the two others were found lying near a bright coke fire in one of the rooms. On the fire about 50 white packets were burning, and the inspector produced several of scorched paper, explaining that the opium was done up in small packets about the size and shape of a razor blade. On the fire was an opium lamp, and beside the grate was part of an opium pipe, several pipe scrapers, four pieces of bamboo, and a box of papers similar to those to which the opium was wrapped.

  All four were remanded on bail until February 5.

 

 

18.02.1930; Star; OPIUM DEN RAID.

 

Chinaman's Three Savage Guardians.

 

DRUG-HEAVY AIR.

 

The Mystery Shop in The Causeway.

 

POLICE officers making an opium raid In Limehouse were attacked by ferocious dogs according to evidence at the Thames Police-court to-day. In a bedroom the air was heavy with the fumes of the drug.

Lun Wun, a Chinese, of Limehouse-Causeway, was charged before Mr. Sharpe with having had unlawful possession of prepared opium and opium utensils. He was sentenced to four months hard labour.

Divisional Detective-inspector Lawrence said that yesterday morning he went with other officers to Wun's house, and forced an entrance. Wun was upstairs and refused to come down.

 

BEATEN OFF WITH IRON BAR.

 

"When we got inside, we were attacked by three ferocious bull terriers," the Inspector added.

Mr. Sharpe: Did they bite you? We kept them off with an iron bar until Wun came down and locked them up.

Inspector Lawrence, continuing, said that in Wun's bedroom there were strong fumes of opium, and he found small packets of opium, grease paper, and lamps.

 In another room they found opium scales and dross, and downstairs an opium pipe which had been put behind safe and a box containing nine glasses for opium lamps.

 In the kitchen another pipe was found.

 

ANTIQUE VASES.

 

 Wun was a single than, 48 years of age. He came to this country in 1906 and first earned his living at sea, but since 1922 had kept a shop in Limehouse-causeway.

 "It is a rather mysterious shop." said the inspector. "There are antique vases in the window and in the shop, many show cases, boxes of soap and washing powder.

 "We called there at 11 o'clock yesterday morning and the shop was still closed. He does not appear to have been carrying on much business for some time."

• The inspector stated that in one room there were three-beds, and. in another two.

 

A "BANKING” BUSINESS

 

  Replying-to Mr. A. Sackville Hulkes. who appeared for Wun, the inspector said that Wun did not suggest that the dogs-were kept in the house for the purpose of preventing people from entering, although-they certainly made it awkward for him and the other police officers.

  Mr. Hulkes asked if it were not true that Wun carried on a banking business not in the English sense of the terms but in transmitting to

China money for Chinese seamen

  The inspector, replied that some business of the kind was being conducted on the premises, but he was told that this was being carried

on by another man.

 

 

all the men for deportation.

 

 

25.02.1930; Limehouse Opium Charge.

 

WHITE WOMAN AND CHINESE IN DOCK.

 

A Chinese named Yen Le Ung and middle-aged white woman, Elizabeth

Chee, again appeared, at Thames Police Court on Friday. The man was charged with possessing opium and opium smoking utensils and with possessing a revolver without a permit, and the woman with allowing premises in Silver Lion Court to be used for opium smoking.

 At the previous hearing detective Inspector Edwards, of Scotland Yard,

described a raid on the premises, of which, he said, Chee was the tenant.

He alleged that in the sitting-room cupboard he found an opium pipe stem

and also discovered an opium pipe and a revolver under a loose floorboard.

Mr. Edward Fail, solicitor for the defendants, said that prisoners pleaded guilty to the charges except the one against Yen Le Ung of having a pistol without a permit. The revolver, he said, was found under the floorboards, and Chee had said that she believed it belonged to her late husband, a Chinese.

She had not seen it for many years.

Replying to Mr. Fail, Detective Inspector Edwards said that the revolver had not been haled for years. It was rusty, and the holder was damp with mildew.

Mr. Fail said that Chee married a Chinese in 1924, and he died last year. Since Chee's husband had died Yen Le Ung had been partly keeping her.

 Mr. Sharpe fined Chee a total of £200, or two-months imprisonment, and Yen Le Ung a total of £150-, or three-months imprisonment. The man was further fined £20 for possessing a revolver without a permit

Inspector Edwards raised the question of an order for deportation for Yen Le Ung should the fine not BE paid, and Mr. Sharpe said that in the interests of the country he should be deported.

On Saturday, on the application of Mr. Edward Fail, who appeared for the defendants Mr. Sharpe reduced the fine on the woman to one of £15. The

solicitor stated that until the present charge was brought the woman had

borne a good character.no offence had been proved against her. She was in poor circumstances, having been compelled to have recourse to parish relief.

 

 

03.11.1931East End News: Opium Smoker Fined

 

 SERGEANT'S SENSE OF SMELL PROVES CHINAMAN'S UNDOING

 

   At Thames Police Court on Monday, a chinese boot repairer, named Wong

 Ling, of Pennyfields, E. was charged, on remand, with smoking opium and

being in possession of prepared opium and smoking opium utensils,

   Polite-sergeant, Dereharn said that he was on duty in Pennyfierds, and

 when passing Ling's premises noticed a smell of opium, "I knocked at the

 door," said the sergeant, "In a particular way, The door was almost immediately opened by defendant, who on seeing me was much alarmed and

stepped back into the shop. I stepped after him. The fumes were very strong. Isaid to him have you been smoking opium,' He replied, No, you

 look, see.'

   The sergeant said he then went up stairs and in the front room on the

 first floor he found a lighted opium lamp, opium scales, and in defendant's trousers pocket an opium pipe. Ling then offered him a 20 dollar piece, and on witness, refusing it added a five ollar piece. At the police station a small piece of opium was found in defendant's shirt pocket.

   Mr, Ed, Fail, who defended, said Ling served during the war on a British ship which was torpedoed. He was injured and now suffered from

haemorrhage in consequence. There was no of trafficking in opium.

   The magistrate Mr. John Harris told defendant that circumstances in

his case made it different from many others, and fined him £5 and also

bound him over.

 

 

25.04 1932; Daily Telegraph: LIMEHOUSE OPIUM DEN RAIDED

 

PENALTIES ON 4 MEN

 

   A police raid on a Chinese opium den n. Limehouse was described at Thames police-court on Saturday, when four Chinese were charged.

   Of one of them—Clong Soi Kwai—it was stated: "He is a mysterious man,

who has associations with the West-end and is a suspected trafficker."

   The following penalties were imposed:

   Wong Ling, 45, boot repairer, accused of being in unauthorised possession of raw opium, allowing his house to be used for the purpose of smoking prepared opium, and possessing opium smoking utensils, £100 fine

or three months' imprisonment), six months' imprisonment, and recommended

for deportation.

   Fong Bean, 50, laundry man, and Clong Soi Kwai, for unauthorised possession of raw opium, and possessing opium smoking utensils, fine of £10 each (or two months imprisonment), two months hard labour, and recommended for deportation.

   Yow Quai, 59, ship's fireman, for frequenting Ling's house, fine of £10-, or two-months’ imprisonment.

   Detective-sgt. Henry Corbett said that on April 15 he and other detectives went to a shoemaker's shop in Pennyfields, Limehouse, where they saw Yow Quai behind the counter. Quai refused to open the premises, so they forced the door, and upon going to a bed-room above found Clong Soi

Kwai apparently asleep.

   Bean was sitting in a chair, and as witness entered put a pipe on the bed. Sitting on the floor on a mattress and a cushion was Ling, and in his hand was an opium pipe in which the opium was still fizzling. By his side was an improvised opium lamp alight.

 

SMASHED LAMP GLASS

 

   As soon as Bean put his pipe down, he threw the glass of the lamp against the wall and smashed it. Kwai seemed to be in a stupor, and after shaking him several times witness aroused him.

   "I went downstairs, "continued the officer, "and searched the shop. On removing a floorboard under a bench, I found a piece of raw opium."

   Witness produced pieces of cloth impregnated with opium, pipes, an opium needle, and other utensils used in connection with opium smoking. He added that when Ling was charged he said that if he did not smoke he would die.

 

 

08.09.1933; E.E.N.: ON HIS WAY TO PENNYFIELDS

 

CHINAMAN WITH OPIUM

 

  At West Ham Police Court on Monday, 'Soo Keng (32), quartermaster of the ss. Comliebank, lying in the Royal Albert Dock, was charged with being in possession of and illegally importing, 21b. of raw opium.

  Constable Fletcher, of the P.L.A. Police, stopped the Man at the Connaught gate on Saturday, and found two-pound packets of opium secured

to his abdomen in a towel.

  Asked to account for it, he said he bought it at Shanghai.

  Not being satisfied. the officer detained him. He said he was going to

see a man at Pennyfields, Poplar.

• Mr. Fowler, a Customs officer, said they were given to understand this

stuff was to be hawked to Chinese.

  The ship's master said he engaged the accused with the crew at Shanghai for two years. His pay was 34 Hong-Kong dollars a month, and he was a satisfactory worker.

  Accused was fined £5, and the opium confiscated.

 

 

24.02.193; E.L.O.: Chinatown Myth Exploded

 

AT INQUEST ON PENNYFIELDS CHINAMAN.

 

DWINDLING POPULATION OF LIMEHOUSE

 

   Limehouse myths—which, for generations have provided writers of thrillers with material for plots—were exploded on Saturday last by an officer of the Aliens' Office when he gave evidence at a Shoreditch inquest on Loo Fook (65), a Chinese hawker, 72, Pennyfields, Limehouse. Fook died in St. Andrew's Hospital Bow, where he had been taken after

a fall in the street.

  P.C. Coombe gave evidence that Fook came to the United Kingdom in 1916,

and worked in Bristol. He came to London in 1920 and obtained casual employment as a restaurant cook. Recently Fook had earned a living selling fruit amongst the Chinese in the Limehouse district. He had known Fook since 1920, and had noticed that he often had trouble with his chest. In January, Fook was arrested for being in possession, of opium. He was remanded for a week, and on January 27th was fined £10 or 21

days, and allowed a month in which to pay. He had not paid the fine, and!

would have gone to prison if he had lived.

   The Coroner: How long have you worked amongst these people? — Witness about twenty years, sir.

  They are rather a decreasing population, aren’t they? — Yes, Sir.

 Is there some movement afoot for taking them to Dagenham? -There was something in the papers about it. A new road from Dagenham to the Causeway is being built.

  Are there many of these Chinese in Limehouse? -0nly about a hundred.

  "And it is supposed to be one of the show places of England," commented the Corner. "There cannot be much to see there. Chinatown must be very small compared with New York's Chinee quarter. Is there very much opium

smoking going on? Witness Very little, sir. Only two smokers are known to the police, —this man and another. The young Chinese don’t touch the stuff at all.

  Miss Lily Hong Foo, a singer, gave evidence of identification and said she had known Foo for about 12 years. Her, father allowed him to live rent free at his house and so far as she knew Fook was a single man. Fook had been very ill for some time, and had often complained of pains in the chest. He was very ill when he was arrested. Fook had been an opium smoker all his life. On February 11th Fook went out and later someone came to the house and told her he had collapsed in the street. She found him at the top of Pennyfields sitting in a window sill. He was sent to St. Andrew’s Hospital on February 13th, and died there on Wednesday.

   Dr. S. G. Seymour said the man died from haemorrhage due to a gastric ulcer.

It was quite a natural death. There was no evidence of opium poisoning.

  The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes.”

 

LIMEHOUSE "DEBUNKED"

 

   SYMPATHY is due to the sensational writer bereft of one of his more thrilling scenarios. P.C: COOMBE, a blunt and straightforward member of the Metropolitan Police, in a few minutes evidence at an inquest, has robbed Limehouse of its dramatic aspect. In the whole district, he told the Shoreditch coroner, there were only two Chinamen who smoked opium. The inquiry was as to the death of one of these and he passed away, not from an excess of the drug, but from purely natural causes.

   Thus, one by one, does London lose those plague-spots which Make its

remoter corners attractive to those in search of strange experiences. Ratcliff-highway, once a stand-by of the romancer seeking a lurid setting for his story, has both changed-its name and become a thoroughfare of almost painful respectability. Alsatia is mainly concerned in these days about the production of newspapers. Seven Dials is cut through by highways of traffic. Limehouse is almost the last of these places to be debunked," in an expressive Americanism. No wonder the novelist has had to change his settings as well as his Characters, and put his villains into dress-suits and Mayfair residences.

 

19.02.1934; Daily Telegraph: OPIUM—SMOKING ON WANE IN LONDON

 

LIMEHOUSE 'SHOW PLACE'

 

 There is little opium smoking in London today the younger generation of Chinese do not touch it.

 Statements to this effect were made at a Shoreditch inquest on Saturday by P.c. Coombe, of the Aliens Office, who has twenty years’ experience of Chinese people living in this country.

 The inquiry was regarding the death. of Loo Fook, 65 a fruit hawker, of Pennyfields Limehouse, who died in hospital on Wednesday after a collapse in the street.

 Miss Lily Hong Foo, a singer, said that Fook, who had lived with her father for twelve years, had been an opium smoker all his life.

• P.c. Coombe stated that last month Fook was fined for being in possession of opium.

 The Coroner, Dr. Guthrie: These people are rather a decreasing population, aren't they? —Yes.

 The coroner: Is there some movement to take them to Dagenham? —There was some talk of it.

 The coroner commented: Limehouse is supposed to be one of the show places of London. There can't be much to see. It can't compare with New York's Chinatown.

  The officer said that Fook was one of the two opium smokers in Limehouse known to the police.

  Dr. Seymour, of St. Andrew's Hospital, said Fook showed no signs of opium poisoning.

  A verdict of death from natural causes was recorded.

 

 

20.02.1934; E.E.N.: OPIUM SMOKERS COLLAPSE IN STREET

 

 DWINDLING POPULATION IN CHINATOWN

 

   An inquest was held at Shoreditch on Saturday, by Dr. R. L. Guthrie, upon Loo Fook (65), of Pennyfields, a fruit hawker, who died in St. Andrews Hospital on Wednesday.

   Miss Lily Hong Foo, of Pennyfields, said the man had lived with her father 12 years, occupying a room rent free.

  Latterly he had complained of pains in his chest.

   In January he was arrested for an opium offence and fined. That seemed

to affect him as he had never been in trouble with the police before. He had been an opium smoker all his life.

  On 11th February he went out in the morning and later information was

brought that he had collapsed in the street. He was found sitting on a window-sill in Pennyfields, looking very ill. Later he was removed to hospital.

   Police-constable Coombe, of the Aliens Office, said the man came to this country in 1916 as a seaman and worked in Bristol and then in London as a cook. He always suffered with his chest. Latterly he had been selling fruit. In January he was arrested for being in possession of opium and fined £10, or 21 days, at Thames Police Court. He was given a month to pay the fine.

  The Coroner—Have you had much experience with these people?

   Police-constable Coombe said he had 20 years’ experience. They were rather a decreasing population, there being about 100 Chinese in that part of London.

   There was some talk of removing them to Dagenham, as a new road might be built through the locality.

  The Coroner remarked that Limehouse was supposed to be one of the

show places of London but there could not be much to see.

  Police-constable Coombe said', Fook was one of the two opium smokers

known to the police in Limehouse.

There was little opium smoking in London to-day and the younger generation of Chinese did not touch opium.

  Dr. Seymour, of St. Andrews Hospital, said death was clue to hemorrhage. There was no evidence of opium poison.

  Verdict: "Death from natural causes."

 

13.04.1935; E.L.O.: CHINESE FINED.

 

  A fine of £7, or five weeks, was imposed on Gee Kean, a Chinese, of 30,

High Street, Poplar, who pleaded guilty at Court on Friday to conducting a puk-a-pu lottery on his premises.

  Sub-Divisional Inspector Burnham said at 1-30 P-m: on March 9th he went to see defendant in order to caution with respect to sending his young daughter to licensed premises. When he knocked.

  The door was opened by the child, who seemed very alarmed at seeing him in uniform. He saw a number of other persons in the premises, and, suspecting puk-a-pu was being carried on there, he entered and saw defendant place a box in a basket. On opening the box, he, found 150 blank coupons, a list of results for the preceding seven days, 20 completed, forms, a brush, two bottles of ink and a Chinese stamp. Defendant said he had been doing it only a few days, and, when told he would be reported, said he was very sorry but he had no work and had six children to keep. There was one previous conviction, five years ago, when defendant was fined £15.

  Mr. Edward Fail, for defendant informed the magistrate (Mr. Everard

 Dickson) that the conviction had been under the Gaming Act, the penalties, prescribed under which were far heavier than those under the Lottery Act. under which the present summons had been brought. Defendant had been in the country for 20 years and was of good repute, and it was only because he had been very hard up that he had committed the offence, as an agent. He received 35s, a week for it.

 

 

 

08.06.1935; E.L.O.: POPLAR OPIUM CHARCE

 

CHINAMAN SENT TO PRISON.

 

    Sentence of six months imprisonment was passed by Mr. F. 0. Langley at Thames Police Court on Chan Hong Fo (52), of 72, Pennyfields, Poplar, who pleaded guilty to being in possession of 12 ozs. of opium and utensils.

   Detective-Inspector Wright said that he raided Fo's house on Monday and told him that, he was going to search the house, and he made no reply. In removing the bedding, he found a cigarette box containing 15 small packets of opium. He showed it to Fo, who said, " Let me see. Yes, it is opium." Upon tapping the wall, he found a cavity which contained some small tins of opium, A quantity of greaseproof paper, similar to

 that in which opium was wrapped, a pipe, and pair of scales were also found.

 Fo said: "Believe me, Inspector, I did not know it was there. I do not smoke now.

   The Inspector said he judged from the paraphernalia that Foo was a pedlar of the drug and not a consumer.

   Mr. Fail, for Fo, said he had given up smoking at his daughter's request some time ago. Although he knew he would have to go to prison, he asked the Magistrate not to send him out of the country for his children's sake.

   Foo, who was stated to have been 33 years in this country and to have married an Englishwoman gave an undertaking that he would have nothing further to do with opium and the Magistrate made no recommendation for deportation, but said that if Foo broke this undertaking steps would be taken to have him deported.

 

09.04.1935; E.E.N. POPLAR PUK-A-PU FINE

 

ACTED AS AGENT BECAUSE HE WAS OUT OF WORK

 

CHINESE WITH SIX CHILDREN

 

  A fine of £7, or five weeks, was imposed upon Gee Kean, a Chinese, of

High-street, Poplar, who pleaded guilty at Thames Police Court, on Friday, to conducting a puk-a-pu lottery on his premises.

   Sub-divisional inspector Burnham said at 1.30 p.m. on March 9, he went

to see defendant in order to caution him with respect to sending his young daughter to licensed premises. When, he knocked the door was opened by the child, who seemed very alarmed upon seeing him in uniform. He saw a number of other persons in the premises, and suspected puk-a-pu was being carried on, entered and saw defendant place a box in a basket.

  On opening the box, he found 150 blank coupons, a list of results for the preceding seven days, 20 completed forms, a brush, two bottles of ink and a Chinese stamp.

   Defendant said he had been doing it only a few days, and, when told, he would be reported, said he was very sorry but he had no work and had six children to keep.

  There was one previous conviction, five years ago, when defendant was

fined £15.

 Mr. Edward Fail, for defendant, informed the magistrate (Mr. Everard

Dickson) that the conviction had been under the Gaming Act, the penalties, prescribed under which were far heavier than those under the Lottery Act under-which the present summons had been brought.

 Defendant had been in the country for 20 years and was of good repute, and, it was only because he had been very, hard up that he had committed the offence as an agent. He received 35s. a week for it.

 

18.01.1936; London Advertiser: OPIUM FIND IN POPLAR HOUSE

 

COPPER WITH LOOSENED BRICK.

 

SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR CHINAMAN.

 

 Sentence Of six months' imprisonment, with hard labour, was passed

on a Chinese, Ah Hing, aged 45, of High-street, Poplar at Thames Police

Court on Friday. He pleaded guilty to being in unauthorised possession of

a quantity of opium.

 Detective-insp. Christian Wright told the magistrate (Mr. John Harris) that accompanied by other officers he made a search of defendant's house. In a bedroom, a box of matches was found on the bed. In the box were three small packages containing a powdered substance which he subsequently discovered was opium Later, one of the Officers removed

brick in the wall of a copper in the scullery to reveal a small package in the cavity from which the brick had been removed. Defendant, who was

present when the search was on, remarked "Was fine game for me. I am

sorry." He made no reply to the charge, at Limehouse police station.

 Detective-insp. Wright reported that previous convictions against Hing.

One was for being concerned in conducting a gaming house and the other

was for possessing opium, and opium smoking utensils.

 

Employed In Crowd Scenes

 

   The Inspector continued that Hing was born in China, and had been in

England 21 years. He had done casual work, in various trades and, at one time he was employed at different film studios playing in crowd scenes.

He was married to an English woman and had eight children by her, four

boys and four girls. He was unable to adequately support his family, not

being in regular employment. The conviction for gaming was for pukka poo.

  Mr. Edward Fail, who represented, accused, said that Hing had in recent

years fallen on hard times. Apart from the mentioned convictions he was a

man of good Character.

  Mr. Fall added that it was to be hoped that His Worship would not make a recommendation for Hing's deportation or that a heavy sentence be imposed, for a man named Searle had offered accused employment when he

had completed his term of imprisonment. He was sure that a lenient

sentence would be justified considering the circumstances.

 

His Marriage Saves Him.

 

   Mr. Harris: If it were not for the fact that accused had an English wife and children in this county he would have been deported long ago.

   Detective-insp. Wright asserted at this point that he ought to add that nearly a pound of opium was discovered at Hing's address during the

search.

 Mr. Harris observed that it was not merely a case where a man bad been

found in the possession of opium to gratify his own desires; it was obvious that Hing was trafficking in the drug.

  In sentencing Hing Mr. Harris added if you come here again I shall

make an order for your deportation.

 

 

18.01.1036; E.L.O.: POPLAR OPIUM CASE

 

Chinaman Sent to Prison

 

   A well-dressed Chinaman, who, it was stated, was he father of eight

children, and who occasionally worked in film studios in Oriental crowd scenes, was sentenced to six months hard labour at Thames1 Police Court on Friday for having in his possession a quantity of opium.

    When arrested the accused man, Ah Hing, of High Street, Poplar, said it was stated by the police to have said: "I find it fine game, because I very poor. I got eight children.

 Do not be hard."

   Police evidence stated that on January 2nd some premises were entered in High Street, Poplar, where Ah Hing was living. A search was made and in a back room was found a box containing three small packets of a brown substance. Also, in a cavity in a flue was found a brown paper parcel containing opium.

    Passing sentence, the magistrate, Mr. Harris, said it was obviously;

not only a case of a man who smoked opium to satisfy his own desires, but also that of a man who trafficked in the business.

 

 

10.02.1936; Daily Herald: POLICE RAID IN CHINATOWN

 

PLAIN-CLOTHES police, leaping from vans on Saturday night, carried out one of the biggest raids London's Chinatown has ever known.

 They had been collected from all parts of East London and made a lightning swoop on four houses in Pennyfields and another in Limehouse Causeway.

 Many people found in the houses were taken in police tenders to Limehouse Police Station.

 An eye-witness told the "Daily Herald": " The officers jumped from the

vans and were in each house in a few seconds. All the doors of houses in this street are left open.

   In addition to the men who arrived in vans, other plain-clothes police were walking along the pavement.

 "The police carried packages when they left. There were white men and

women among the people who were taken away”

  Summonses will be issued under the Gaming Act.

 

28.05.1936; News Chronicle: OUR TOO ROMANTIC STUDENTS

 

SENTIMENT UPSETS STUDY SAYS CHINESE GIRL

 

By LOUISE MORGAN

 

   Romance and sentiment among men and women students in the English Universities often seriously interfere with study, according to Miss Tsi-Tsi Irene Ho, who sits for her Ph.D. degree at London University next month.

       "There is no nonsense among men and women students in China. They are good colleagues with a fine sense of co-operation," she told me.

    Miss Ho is working day and night to complete her thesis, "Education in Ancient and Modern China."  But she left her study for a walk with me in Kew Gardens nearby.

    Miss Ho always, wears Chinese dress. Over her jade-green silk gown she had put a full-length " overcoat " of wadded navy-blue silk, with a tiny diamond pattern in white.

   Both garments were cut in the classical Chinese fashion, with high military collar, slits on either side of the skirt, and fastenings of rolled silk ribbon down the right, side.

    With her delicate, flower-like beauty, gracious smile and long-flowing lines, she might have stepped out of the recent Chinese Exhibition at Burlington House.

     She believes that the wearing of national costume is important for

internationalism.

   But "women must set the fashion because men are too shy and self-conscious."

 

"WE WILL PUSH BACK”

 

   "Like the ordinary family, the family of nations is happy together

only when each member is allowed to develop its own personality," she

explained.

   Miss Ho is grieved over the way in which China, "most pacific of nations," is being  forced by  circumstances into militarism.

   "We refuse to be the aggressor," she said, "but if it is a question of our national existence we must be prepared for self-defence. Pushed to the wall, we will one day push back with all our might."

    Her spare time has been spent at the Chung Hwa School and Club, in

 Pennyfields, E. which she founded three years ago to help the families

 of Chinese sailors married to English women: It has its own house and

 playing ground.

    The chief aim of the club, which is under the patronage of the Chinese Ambassador and Sir Robert Ho Tung, her father, is "to make the children better men and women, so that they may in their lives reflect credit upon the two countries which give them their dual inheritance"

 

BASKET ART

 

    One of the fathers was recently persuaded to develop this technique in the art of making Chinese baskets. It may lead to the creation of a local industry.

   Miss Ho will speak on "The Modern Chinese Woman" at the Birth Control Centre, Westminster, on June 3.

   On her return to China this summer she expects to take up work in some

 branch of education.

 

 

19.07.1948; Hackney Gazette: Hanged Himself While Wife Slept

 

INQUEST IN EAST END RESTAURANT MANAGER

 

THE story of how the manager of an East End  restaurant hanged himself in his bedroom whilst his wife slept was related at Poplar Coroner's

Court on Saturday. The deceased was Mr. Che Ki Pang, aged 34, of 22 Woodstock Terrace, Poplar, manager of the New China Restaurant, East India Dock-road, the proprietor of which is Mr. Alexander Wong, of 135a Queen's drive, Finsbury Park.

   Mrs. Pang said her husband was a British subject born in Hong Kong.

During the war he was captured from a Norwegian ship and spent five years

as a prisoner of war in Germany. On Tuesday last he came home from his work at the restaurant just before midnight. They retired at about half-past 12, and before she went to sleep there was a little general conversation between them.

 

A GREAT SHOCK TO HER

 

 A little later she awoke and noticed that the bedroom light, was burning. She then realised that her husband was not in bed, and, looking up, saw him hanging from a strap fastened to a curtain bracket. She cut him down and called for assistance, and he was removed to hospital, where he died on Thursday.

 Answering the Coroner (Mr. W. R. H. Heddy), Mrs. Pang said she knew of

no reason why her husband should attempt to take his life. He had no

worries, business or personal, so far as she knew, and what happened came as a great shock to her. Her husband did not leave any letter which would

throw any light on his action.

 Mr. Wong said the deceased was a partner in the business as well as manager. He was a capable and efficient man, and the business was going on most successfully. He was not aware that Mr. Pang was worried about anything, and could not ascertain from inquiries among members of the staff that anything had been troubling him.

 

VERY CHEERFUL ON THE PREVIOUS DAY

 

 During the day preceding the hanging incident the staff said he was very cheerful. About a Year ago he had been rather upset because of the difficulty of finding cooks

 Dr. Keith Simpson, pathologist, said death was the result of delayed

cerebral asphyxia, due to hanging.

 A police officer who was called to the house after the deceased had been

cut down by his wife said the bracket was about 7 feet from the floor.   The Coroner found that the deceased took his life by hanging, but that there was no evidence as to the state of his mind at the time. He added that this was in effect an open verdict as to the state of deceased's mind.

 

21.02.1942; E.L.A.: MEN FROM PENNYFIELDS

DIE IN THE BATTLE OF THE SEAS

 

FOURTEEN NAMES

 

   More Chinese from Limehouse are among the men whose deaths are announced as a result of enemy action at sea. These men of the Merchant

Navy and Fishing Fleets include ten men who signed as sailors. They were: Toong Kin Book, Ling Yit Chong, Seng Hah, Chen Yung Huan, Ting Suan Kwan, Ling Ee Moey, Ah Song, Ah Tay, Loon Tay and Sieh Tiong. The death of Kan Ah Khoon, sailor's boy, is also announced. Tham Cheong, donkeyman, Chang Fatt, storekeeper, and Lob Yew, pumpman, are others whose name are given as having lost their lives in the Merchant Navy through the action of the enemy.