PRISONERS' PLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 18281, 22 May 1923, Page 7

PRISONERS' PLIGHT

CHINESE BANDITS DEFIANT.

NEGOTIATIONS FAIL.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

NEW YORK, May 21.

The ‘ Chicago Tribune’s ’ Peking correspondent states that reports _ from LinCheng indicate that tho negotiations with the bandits have utterly failed. The bandits have withdrawn the prisoners and retreated further, alleging that the Government is not sincere concerning the withdrawal of its troops. The Government negotiators are returning to Poking. Letters received from various prisoners indicate that they are undergoing privations and misuse by tho bandits, and suggest that the foreign Governments should utilise troops to effect a rescue, claiming that, even if the bandits kill the prisoners as threatened, it would bo better than to continue their misery.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE BANDITS' DEMANDS. WASHINGTON, May 21. The State Department has received -information that the Diplomatic Corps in Peking has been advised that the bandits have threatened to shoot t/wo foreigners if tho Government troops are not withdrawn by Tuesday. The bandits furt-heir demand that six foreign Powers guarantee the Chinese Government’s accession to the bandits’ demands.—A. and N.Z. Gable. THE ONLY HOPE. POWERS MUST" NEGOTIATE. WASHINGTON, May 21. (Received May 22, at 8.10 a.m.) The State Department has received advices from tho American Consul (Mr Davis) at Inn-Cheng, stating that the only hope for tho early release of the foreign captives is direct negotiations between the bandits and the foreign Powers.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FIGHTING THE BANDITS, PRISONERS’ CHANCES IMPERILLED. PEKING, May 21. (Received May 22, at 9.10 a.m.) A Tient-sin message reports that one officer and five Chinese troops were killed in a battle with the bandits, who lost one killed and one wounded. The Military Governor of Shantung has ordered 1,500 additional troops to move towards the bandits’ stronghold, despite the latter’s threat to 101 l their captives unless the troops are withdrawn.—A. and N.Z. Cable.