BANDIT KIDNAPPERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 208, 3 September 1934, Page 7

BANDIT KIDNAPPERS

Story of Wrecking of Train in Manchukuo. RUSSO-JAPANESE TENSION. SHANGHAI* September 2. Two American passengers and six Japanese were kidnapped after the train wrecking outrage 26 miles south of Harbin, Manchukuo. In addition to the 13' Japanese killed and eight injured seven Chinese and one Russian were injured. Japanese armoured cars and troops were dispatched to the scene and now are attempting to overtake the bandits. The kidnapped Americans are Messrs. Johanson and Lury, both representatives of a film company. Their companion, Mr. James Russell, who escaped, stated that when he realised the bandits were attacking the train he threw himself on to the floor of a locked compartment while a hail of bullets was poured along the entire coach. "The bandits attempted to break into my compartment with their rifle butts," said Mr. Russell, "but they did not succeed. I lay there shivering and fearing death at any moment. The railway guards apparently attempted to hold off the attackers, but they were vastly outnumbered." Several small red flags, also brassards, inscribed, "Friends of the Soviet," were found on the scene and a long line of entrenchments indicated careful preparation for the outrage. The wrecking of the train has added additional fuel to the already highly inflammable and strained" situation between the Soviet and Japan regarding the sale and future • control of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Another outrage by bandits is reported to have been committed on the railway yesterday. A train was derailed by the usual methods. Details are lacking, but it is stated that a Russian engineer and a Chinese fireman were killed.