AIRMEN HELD IN CHINA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27566, 25 January 1955, Page 11

AIRMEN HELD IN CHINA

Peking’s Offer “Bunk”

(Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.

Mr James Richards (Democrat, South Carolina), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, today described as “a bunch of bunk” Peking’s offer to let relatives visit 17 Americans imprisoned in Communist China.

Calling the Communist invitation a propaganda move, Mr Richards said: “I hope these, relatives won’t sell their birthright for a mess -of pottage.” Two Democrats, Senators John Sparkban, of Alabama, and Mike Mansfield, of Montana, said the State Department should lift its ban on travel to Communist China if the relatives insisted on visiting the imprisoned Americans.

A spokesman said the State Department still had not decided whether to lift its travel ban and issue the necessary travel permits. If the travel ban is lifted, any of the relatives who decide to make the trip can look to several sources for help in meeting expenses, if needed. Spokesmen for Pan American and North-west Airlines said today they would be glad to arrange free transportation if the State Department requested the service and the Civil Aeronautics Board approved it.

Two Families Seek Visit To China

(Rec. 11 p.m.) ALGONA (Iowa), January 24. Members of two American families said yesterday that they wanted to accept Peking’s invitation to go to China to visit their prisoner sons. Squadron Leader Andrew Mackenzie, a Canadian pilot, who was recently released by the Chinese Communists, was reported to have told them he foresaw no danger in making the trip to see their sons in prison camps. Mr Harold Fischer, who shortly after the invitation was announced said he and his wife would go to see their son, Captain Harold Fischer, said after talking with Squadron Leader Mackenzie that they were more determined than ever to fly to Communist China.

Mr Fischer, a pig-raiser, sajd he would take two pigs as gifts to the Chinese.

Mr and Mrs W. G. Parks ,of Omaha» Nebraska, parents of Lieutenant Roland Parks, originally said they were “wary” of the offer although they would like to see their son. After talking with Squadron Leader Mackenzie, Mr Parks said he felt the idea of a trip to China might be a good one.