The sun., 1907-03-10
BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
THE MARSHAL OF L.. s. COURT IN
SHANGHAI RESIGNS.
Ordered TO Close Places OF Ill Repute known
as American Houses and TO Collect
$1,000 Fine From Each Inma1e-He
Closed the Houses, but BaIk Ell on Fines.


$1,000 Fine From Each Inmate e-He
Closed the Houses. but BRIk Ell on Fines.
WASHINGTON, March 0.--Announcement
was made to-day OF the appointment OF
Hugh O'Brien Of Michigan to succeed Orville
Leonard. also Of Michigan. as Marshal OF
the United States Extretarritorial Court in
Shanghai, China. The inadequaoy Of the
salary, which is $4,000 a year, is given as
the reaon for Marhal Leonard's retirement
Back of this change Of Marshals. how
ever, is a story which comes TO Washington
through semi-official channels and assigns
a different casue for Mr.. Leonards resg-
nation. The court was created by act Of
Congress about a year ago. Some time
ago Judge Whitley, who had been in the
Philippines before his appointment to the
Extraterr.torial Court at Shanghai and is
familiar with life and conditions in the
Orient. became advised Of the existence in
Shanghai of certain resorts known as
American houses" which we're popular
with certain classes Of the foreign element
Of the town.
An investigation revealed the fact that
many of the inmates had no rightful claim
to relationship with Uncle Sam. but that
Germany, Russia, France and even from
Japan. who found it financially profitable
to claim American citizenship because of
the popularity of the so-called American
houses in Shanghai.
Regarding this deception as an affront
to the American flag. Judge Wiley ordered
Marshal Leonard to round up the pro-
prietors OF these resorts and bring them
into his court. 1t is alleged that Marshal
Leonard, who is a churchmAn when at
home in Grand Rapids, at first demurred
and refused TO carry out the order. II
was said that his continuance in Office
was made the price of his refusal, and in
addition it was pointed out to him by some
Americans in Shanghai that he might be
adjudged in contempt of court. Accord
ingly after some deliberation he resolved
20 carry out the order and succeeded in
rounding up ten Of the proprietors Of al
legged American houses.
One thousand dollars is the minimum
case over which the American court has
jurisdiction, and accordingly each of the
women brought before Judge Wiley was
subjected to a fine of 1900. Not all of
them were able TO pay this amount of
money. but fearing the terrors of Chinese
dungeons they offered in lieu Of cash a
certain kind of script in the form Of 0 US,
issued 70 them by many prominent busi-
ness and professional men in Shanghai.
a form of circulating medium which passes
current among certain classes Of the city.
These were accepted by the Court and
Marshal Leonard, already deeply embar-
rassed. was sent out to enforce collections
This work, 1t is said, brought him into
unpleasant contact with many of his per-
sonal and business friends and was ex-
ceedingly distasteful, not to say produc-
tive Of scandal. The story from semi
official sources ia that rather than pursue
the task of collector Of claims OF ques-
tionable character he rendered his resigna-
ton, and Mr.. 0Brien. a man of less tender
sensibilities and a greater willingness to
press the payment Of debts, no matter how
created, has been appointed TO take his
place As a result of Judge Wilheys
action it is also said that the once popular
American houses in Shanghai are not 80
well patronized as formerly