IN PIRATES’ HANDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11913, 6 April 1933, Page 5

IN PIRATES’ HANDS

FOUR BRITISH OFFICERS STILL ••■ prisoners;. >/. • • • JAPA.NESE.AID IN DETAILED SEARCH. (British Official Wireless ) RUGBY, April 4. Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons, said the British Minister at Pekin had confirmed reports that the steamer Nanchang, of the China Navigation Company, was attacked at noon QP. March 29 by a large force of pirates while at anchor off the mouth jof the Liao. River.

The pirates carried off four subordinate British officers and made away up the river. The sloop Cornflower proceeded to Newchang, and, an officer attached to the British Legation at Pekin also was sent there. Urgent representations bad b’een made to the local authorities and tho Japanese Government, and all possi” hie steps were being taken bv the land and river police, in concert with Manchurian coastguards. Seaplanes and a, number of junks were employed to carry on a search. The Japanese Government had instructed their suhor dinate authorities to afford all possible assistance.

IN SECRET LAIR

PIRATES HOLD BRITISH CAPTIVES.

DEATH OR RANSOM?

fU.P.A. by Eleo. Teh Copyright) (Received April 5, 11 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 5.

Definite threats to shoot three British captives remaining in the hands of pirates, unless a huge ransom is paid, were received in a letter delivered by F. Pears, the fourth captive, who was released for the purpose of delivering the pirates’ demands and who reached Newchang yesterday. The authorities have been given until April 10 to comply, after which the pirates propose to scatter in order to avoid a possible punitive expedition. Pears reported that other captives were being well treated, but he refused to disclose their whereabouts, since the fate of his comrades depended on the promise given to the bandits to keep their lair secret.