CHINESE TRAIN BANDITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 5

CHINESE TRAIN BANDITS.

ANOTHER OUTRAGE. SOME CAPTIVES RELEASED. <RccelTcd 9.30 «.m.l PEKING, May 9. A further kidnapping outrage is reported to have occurred on the Teinpu railway, ,-near Tientsin, on Monday, when a Canadian merchant named Lowe was pulled from a train, beaten, bound, and carried off by Chinese civilians. It is now believed that more foreigners were taken from the Shantung express than was at first reported, several [(including four American missionaries) having boarded the train at intermediate stations without having been listed. It is announced by the Chinese Foreign Office that the bandits released Majors Pinger and Allen and the letter's two sons.—(A. and N.Z Cable.) RANSOM OF THE CAPTIVES. NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS. STRONGHOLD SURROUNDED. v NEW YORK, May 9. Advices from Peking state that the Chinese Government has telegraphed to the Governor of Shantung to yield to the bandits' terms and obtain the release of the prisoners by paying a ransom if necessary. Negotitions for the release of the prisoners will be conducted by Mr Roy Anderson, a foreigner, who is acquainted with the bandit leaders, and has the confidence of both the Peking Government and the Foreign Legations. The Government's action followed a demand by foreign diplomats in Peking that the Government ransom the captivee. Reports have been received that two Americans ahd an Englishman were shot when the bandits used their captives as shields against the pursuing Government troops. A report from Tientsin, received via Shanghai, states that British troops have been ordered to Shantunp, and are held in readiness to proceed against the bandits if necessary. Mr. Thomas Day. an American, has arrived at Tientsin in an exhausted condition. He was released by the bandits to inform the Chinese authorities that the captives would be killed if a ransom were not paid. Mr. C. G. .Tacobson. inspecting engineer for the British-American Tobacco Company, who escaped from the bandits, reported upon arrival at Tientsin that he spoke to Chinese Government troops, who declared that they havp now completely surrounded all the lull stronqrsolds where the foreigners are held. He tol<l a graphic story of the bandits' harsh treatment of their captives.— (A. and N\Z. Cable.) *