The San Francisco call., 1910-12-09
Man Who Rowed Is COntraband
0rientaIs From Manchuria
Held IncOmmnnicadO
STRATTON REFUSES TO
REVEAL PRISONERS NAME
Other Captures Are Coming in
Move to Round Up All
of COnspiratOrs
CUSTOMS OFFICIALS HIDE
MAN FROM HIS FRIENDS

|NNE white man is under arrest
- the surveillance Of customs
agents for completely in the plot to
smuggIe ashore seven Chinese women
and eight men last Sunday night from
the liner Manchuria.
The customs officials refuse TO di-
vulge either the name OF the man
under arrest or where he is incarcer-
ated. fearing that his alleged fellow
conspirators will institute habeas cor
pus or other proceedings which would
baIk the rounding up OF the leaders
of the smuggling ring in this city.
which is the hope and expectation OF
Collector of the Port Frederick S
Stratton.
The only information the officials
would divulge was that the prisoner
rowed one of the boats with the con-
traband Chinese from the steamer.
This morning stratton will pass
judgment upon Inspectors Freund.
KiIemade. Gibbens and Rohrbacher.
who were on duty on the 1fanchuria
last Sunday night when the Is Chinese
were lowered from the second deck Of
the vessel into the two small boats
lying alongside.
1t IS known that at least one Of the
inspectors has been guilty OF nsgli-
gence in the eyes OF the customs au-
thorities and will today either be Sc
verely reprimanded. suspended or ex-
PEELED from the service. While those
in charge OF the service at this port
refuse to tell which inspector is con-
sidered at fault it is limited that
Freund. who was on duty on the stern
OF the steamer from where he should
have been able to see the boats along
side. is slated for punishment.
Inspectors Are on Carpet
An attempt was made to fasten upon
F'reund completely in the escape OF
eight Chinese from a liner at pier "A
December IL. a year ago.
To the customs officials it is unex-
board Of the Manchuria could have been
attending strictly to their duty without
knowing that something was going on.
| for it is the duty OF a customs inspec
tor on board a big steamship to con-
tinuaHy keep a watch on all sides Of
the vessel near his station TO see that
small boats do not creep alongside.
Acting Surveyor of the Port Charles H.
Blinn had the four inspectors who were
on the boat before him yesterday morn
ing and. aided by Special immigration
Inspector Harry Edsen, put them
through a severe examination
Report Is Withheld
At the conclusion Of the hearing.
which was behind closed doors. Blinn
submitted his report to stratton with
out making it public. 1t IS known that
the four men spent very uncomfort-
able morning OF it closeted with Blinn
and Edsen. who took turns at question
ing them.
/ Collector Stratton remained IN his
ofice in the appraisers building long
after the usual time OF closing IN con-
sultation with Edsell. the two discuss
ing the best means OF obtaining from
tho man. in custody complcte eonfss-
sion II is known to the collector.
whose inspectors caused the arrest
after the immi grafton authorities ad
mitted their inability to trap any OF
the ring, how many and who are parties
to the conspiracy to import Chinese
coolies and women.
Other Arrests Expected
While the officers and crew OF the
steamship Manchuria deny chat the IS
Chinese could have been brought over
on that vessel R P. Schwsrin, vice
president and general manager OF the
Pacific Mail steamship company. prac-
ticaIly admits the liability of his com
pany for the bringing Of the orientals
to this port by a promise made yester-
day to Inspector Edsell that they Will
be returned to China by the company
at such time as the government shall
determine.
That other arrests viii be made soon
Is the expectancy OF the customs ON
cials. who are elated BY the victory OF
their service over the immigration in
spectors in their arrest Of yesterday.
! Inspectors Head. Sackett. Bsnninger
and Hufaker, the four men who frus-
trated the attempt to smuggle ashore
the Chinese. have been assigned to spe-
cial work OF ferreting out the snug
Cling ring These four men have al
ready been specially commended for
their work BY their superior. Acting