The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-28
STUDY IN
THEOLOGY
The Chinese Libel
Suit S Queer
Turn.

The Chinese libel suit which was on
trial before Judge Gear al day. drifted
into a heated theological discussion
cations of a Chinese witness, which
was finally settled by allowing the man
to testify without an oath of any kind.
The proceeding appears to have mar
OF the article published in the sun
| Chun Kwock Bo, of which the defend
ant, Wong Suey King is manager, and
| in which the character of Poon Kwai
Leung was assailed. There appeared
to be also a deep undercurrent of Bow
Wong and anti-Bow Wong in the trial
of the case, and the present fight be-
tween the rival factions of the Chinese
society cropped out on several occa-
sions.
At the opening of court yesterday
morning the defendant, through his at
torney, E. 3. McClanahan. presented
demurrer to the complaint on the
ground that the innuendoes drawn from
the actual translation of the words of
the alleged libel were not applicable
and were far-fetched. Mr.. McClanahan
didn't think that the words: AT the
present time mems minds are not as
they were in ancient times, could by
any process of reasoning be made to
mean that Poon had been charged with
acting frauduiently or dishonesty. The
matter was discussed for over an hour
between court, counsel for defendant,
and for the prosecution-Lorrin An
drewS-and Judge Gear finally oVerrul-
ed the demurrer, holding that the
words would have to be proven any
way.
Then came another long squabbIe
over the question of official interpret
ers, Ii Cheung, the regular court Off
cial being objected to on the ground
that he had been d witness in the first
hearing before Judge Wilcox.
Fully a dozen men We're suggested,
but they were all refused in turn eth
er because they We're Bow Wongs or
members of the Consul's party. One
man who was suggested for the position
was objected to by McClanahan. Hes
engaged to the daughter of the Con-
suIs right-hand man. was the objec-
ton.
mo. I'm not" replied the proposed
candidate for official honors.
He denies the accusation said the
court.
well, he wants to be- l am told"
The next man proposed was a Bow !
Wong, and objected to by Andrews be- /
cause he was an enemy to the Emperor |
of China and had been fighting him for |
years.
The man finally agreed upon was
Fam Coin, a rather Young man who |
did not make startling success as in
terpreter and against whom everyone
~, al 81 he Ia1r
ceedings.
The defendant entered a plea of not
guilty to the Indictment charging libel
in the second degree. and the following
jury was finally secured: H. f. Ceres,
c. Spencer, A. w. Judd L. 5. Holt, A
Gartley, D. 3. Renear. w. X. Kapu, D.
j. NJ. Holman. d. NJ. Ross, j.
t. McGrew, d. Hoapili
GEAR, THE SUPREME BEING"
Chew Ho was the first witness called.
He is the editor of the Chinese Chron
icle and holds a degree of Bachelor of
Arts. Mechanism objected to the wit
ness being sworn until after he had
examined him as TO his understanding
IF the nature Of an oath. DO you be-
ieve in the Supreme Being?" the at
torney asked the witness through the
Yes" was the reply.
Who is the Supreme BEING
The interpreter pointed towards
Judge Gear. and said he was the "Su-
oreme Being.
Didn't you speak of the court when
you asked the witness about the SUI
oreme Being" the interpreter was
asked.
Yes he replied. and explained that
he thought the court had been meant.
while the jury court and every one in
he room roared with laughter
DO you believe in Cod continued !
TO the witness.
Yes
Are you a Christian"
NO. sir, l believe in God. but I am
lot a Christian.
Then followed a long discussion of
he theological questions involved in
he answer. Andrews arguing that
nan was not necessarily a Christian.
housh believing in God.
The witness said he was a follower
+ Confucius. and that he took no oath
n China. but that Confucius would
,unfsh him. if he did not tell the
ruth. McClanahan objected 10 the
fitness taking the oath under such .
onditions. aud the court suggested
ust as well. and stated that if counsel
esired he would administer the oath
nth a broken saucer. or by cutting off
chickens head. The witness. how
yer. stated that he didn't believe in
hat sort of tOmfoolery and that only
be heather in China took such oaths.
he witness was then allowed To tes-
fly without the oath being admins
red. His testimony consisted princi-
ally of a reading of the alleged libel
us article. which was translated by
he interpreter. There was some con-
sntion ali the way through as 10 the
.terpretation put upon the witness
ords c. Kai. editor Of the Chinese
ews was called next and went over
le same things. including a transla-
on of the alleged libel through the
Iterpreter The trial is likely to oc- II
Ipy several days at the rate Of pro- l.
.dure yesterday. as the fight hinges Il