BIG OPIUM TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1929, Page 3

BIG OPIUM TRIAL

CHINESE VICE-CONSUL

SENTENCED WITH HIS WIFE

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

SHANGHAI, November 11

The sensational trial of Kaoying, former Chinese Vice Consul at San Francisco, and of his wife, who were charged with illegally transporting and

attempting to sell one million dollars’ worth of opium, ended at Nanking today, when the wife was sentenced to four years, and fined five thousand dollars. Tlie husband was sentenced to [ seven years, and fined six thousand dollars. The third party, Suen Pon, was found not guilty. The arrest of the Kaoyings and the alleged accomplice at San Francisco, created a most profound sensation in local political circles, causing attempts by the Anti-Opium Association to influence the Nanking Court to inflict capital punishment. Kaoying’s wife was arrested at San Francisco on'arriving from China, with six trunks of opium, and attempting to pass- the Customs under the Diplomatic Immunity Clause. The authorities ordered her arrest and her return to China.

Mrs Kaoying during the trial created a sensation by appearing daily in the Court dressed in the height of European fashion, which was adversely commented upon by the Nanking officials. She nonchalantly answered a barrage of questions with repeatedly, “I don’t know.” Nevertheless, under pressure, she involved persons in leading cities of the Orient, Honolulu, and San Francisco.

The defence alleged that the Kaoyings carried a friend’s luggage, and that they were not aware of the contents.