KIDNAP PLOTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20837, 16 July 1942, Page 5

KIDNAP PLOTS

GOVERNOR OF BURMA LUCKY CHANGE OF PLANS CONSPIRATORS FOILED (3 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. A change of plans by one hour prevented the capture of Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith, Governor of Burma, by bandits and his being held for ransom to the British Government. After the fall of Rangoon, the Governor went to investigate troubleamong chiefs in the Shan States and made his headquarters at Taunggyi. After the trouble was settled he decided to start his return journey an hour earlier and his car passed (through a band of robbers in the jungle who were waiting to waylay him. The bandits were not prepared to act when the Governor’s car surprised them an hour early. The plot was discovered afterwards. Sir Reginald mentioned it in a speech in London to-day. He also mentioned an earlier attempt to kidnap him and his wife, which was discovered after the danger had passed. Speaking at a press conference Sir Reginald declared: “If our troops had not defended every inch of Burma and had let the Japanese right through, there would have been a very awkward situation for Inclia. Every sacrifice made in Burma was .worthwhile. We want our troops when they go to Burma again to be Iwell received. We do not want Burma to think that we regard it as a hostile country and that we are ready to cut their throats.”