PRISONERS IN CHINA.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 25 June 1934, Page 3

PRISONERS IN CHINA.

ALL ENGLISHMEN FREED. SHANGHAI, June 20. Ail the Englishmen kidnapped by pirates on the steamer Shuntien last Sunday have been released. Mi Graeme Nicholl, an insurance manager, and Mr MacDonald ‘Watson, third engineer of the Shuntion, were found early this morning, ami Messrs Luce ami Field naval lieutenants, and Mr Brad, second officer of the Shuntien, later. They were all picked up from sampaiis by the British destroyer Whitshcd ami are now safe at Cheefoo. All arc in good health and are little the worse for their trying experience. With them was one of the Chinese who carried ransom demands to the relatives of the 19 others. Mr Yamamoto, the Japanese, is also still held. The pirates told the prisoners whom they released that they were friendly towards the British, but bitterly opposed to the Chinese Government, which sent troops who were encircling their lair and arc almost certain ultimately to arrest or exterminate them. The thoroughness of the pursuit, conducted from the land by soldiers, from the sea by naval vessels, and from the air by aeroplanes from the British aircraft-carrier, H.M.S. Eagle, is believed to have broken the s; Irits of the pirates. One of the aeroplanes spotted a party of them yesterday and followed them till dusk.