DAYS OF TERROR

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 64, 9 December 1930, Page 11

DAYS OF TERROR

Bandits Capture Women AUTHORITIES’ INACTION Peking, December 7. Mrs. H. D. Hayward and Miss E. Gomersal were Interviewed at Peking after their forty-two .days’ adventurous journey from Lauchow, accompanied by merchants, and escorted by Mongols. They said that the brigands made a surprise attack, and the women were dragged from the party with the intention of holding them for ransom, but the Mongols counter-attacked and rescued them. The party retreated to the mountains, where they spent eight freezing days. Although the provincial authorities had 4000 troops, nothing was done to effect a rescue until a diplomatic party arrived.

Mrs. Hayward, an American woman, who was proceeding to Peking for medical treatment, accompanied by Miss Gomersal, a British nurse, were reported to have been captured by bandits near Paoto-chen. British and American naval officers proceeded to their rescue.