DR SVEN HEDIN

Evening Star, Issue 21785, 30 July 1934, Page 12

DR SVEN HEDIN

ADVENTURE IN CHINA

CAPTURE BY REBELS.

STOCKHOLM, July 19. Dr Sven Hedin, the Swedish cx plorer, who is engaged on survey work for the Chinese Government, with the aim of running a motor road through the heart of Asia, reports that his expedition has been delayed owing to the capture of himself and his assistants in Sinkiang by a band of irregular Txmgans associated with General Ma. On February 28 the Hedih expedition, in two passenger cars and four motor lorries, set out from Turfan, in Sinkiang, At that time General Ma, whose headquarters were' at Turfan, was at war with the Chinese authorities at Urumtsi. Five days later the party reach Koria', where undisciplined soldiers demanded that the cars placed at its disposal by the Chinese Government should be banded over. Dr Hedin and his Swedish and Chinese associates were held captive. '' On the retirement of General Ma the retreating army plundered Koria. Most of the remaining, inhabitants were massacred. The town was repeatedly bombed by aeroplanes. The Swedish chauffeurs attached to the expedition were forced to transport troops. Not until March 29 did the provincial Government succeed in reasserting" its authority. The members of the Hedin expedition were then released and their cars restored. They (continued on their way to Lop-Nor, determined to carry out their expedition according to plan. It is understood that after visiting LopNor Dr Hedih intended to turn, north again and proceed via Urumtsi to Cbuguchak (Mongolia), on. the borders of Asiatic Russia.