Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-30
CHINESE OFFICIALS
ABUSE foreigner
German, Unprotected by
Extraordinarily, Forced
to Ransom Cargo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
SHANGHAI, November 30.-The case
of Karl HansSe, agent in Swatow for the
DeutSche Stickstoif Co., who has been
forced to pay a ransom of $1,000 to re-
trieve a consignment Of $4,000 worth OF
chemical fertilizer which was seized al
most year ago oy Chinese authorities,
is eliciting indignant comment here
among foreign business men.
1t is of special Importance because
Of its bearing or: the extraterTitorialit
question, which continues to be the
main topic OF interest to those still en-
Toying privileges under the so-called
unequal treaties" The latter. through
extraterritoriality provisions, grant ma
from arrest, detention or trial by Chi
nese, and subject them to the jurisdic-
ton only of their own consuls.
HanSke, German and without these
rights, year last June accompanied
shipment of 800 bags Of fertilizer from
Swallow, a treaty port on the South
China coast, into the interior town of
Chao-an, where it was consigned to
local dealer. Some mischievous citizens
of Chac-an started an agitation
against the introduction Of foreign fer
tili3er circulated false propaganda con-
corning its evils and sent a protest to
the local authorities.
The cargo was conflscated and
HanSke was arrested. His hands were
tied, he was marched down the main
street with a fooi's bonnet on his head
and pelted by crowds with sticks, stones
and rubbish. He was then taken to
Jail, where he was detained for about
two weeks. His release came only after
a protest from the German Minister
was acted upon by DR.. c. T. Wang,
then minister Of foreign affairs. The
cargo, however, was held and during
the months that have elapsed since
then Hanske has been attempting to
have it returned.
Had the unfortunate fertilizer sales
man been Of American, japanese,
British, French, Brazilian, Italian, Bel
gian, Swiss, Swedish or Norwegian ma
tionality he could not have been legally
arrested and held. Through his consul
he could have at once demanded and
secured redress for the wrongful appro-
priation Of his goods. That is the way
the protection OF extraordinarily
works.
Victim Without Recourse.
But Hanske, like all Germans, is fully
subject to the whimS Of Chinese police
and judicial officials; there exists no
means for him TO get either an apology,
an indemnity or the return of his cash.
The Sino-American treaty expires In
1894 and the Chinese government Is
determined to strike out the clause
guaranteeing Americans the right of
trial by their cousuls when 1t is re-
newed. Treaties Of other powers with
such rights are also due soon to expire
What is now called the "Hanske out
rage" must be added to the growing
list Of lapses On the part Of the Chi
nese military and judiciary in cases
where "non-pro.eCted'' foreigners are
concerned. Many believe that it will
prejudice the powers against meeting
China's demand for full sovereignty
when negotiations for new treaties
begin.
CCopyright, 1917
Russian lumber is selling at such low
prices in Italy that 1t is iniuring i'm
ports from other European countries.