RANSOM FOR PRISONERS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2642, 10 May 1923, Page 5

RANSOM FOR PRISONERS.

WILL BE PAID BY CHINA. ESCAPEE'S'STORY OF HARSH TREATMENT. 1 — BRITISH TROOPS READY.

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust, and N.Z. CabLe Association.] (Received Wednesday, 5.30 p.m.) PEKIN, >Alay 8.

The Government has telegraphed to the Governor of Shantung to yield to the bandits' terms and to secure the release of the prisoners, paying ransom if necessary. Negotiations for the prisoners' release will be conducted by Mr Roy Anderson, a foreigner who is acquainted with the bandit leaders, and has the confidence of both the Pekln Government and the Foreign Legations. Reports have been received that two Americans and an Englishman were shot, when the bandits used their captives as shields against the pursuing Government troops. j PROMISE TO PAY CONFIRMED. (Received, Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 8. The State Department has received confirmation of the report that the Chinese Government has promised to pay a ransom to secure the rolease of the captives. THREAT TO KILL CAPTTVES. IF DEMANDS NOT MET. (Received Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI. May 8. A report from Tientsin states that British troops have been ordered to Shantung. They will be held in readiness to proceed against the bandits if necessary. Mr. Thomas Day. an American, has arrived here in an exhausted condition. He was released by t«»e bandits to inform the Chinese authorities that the captives would be killed if the ransom was not paid. Mr C. J. Jacobson, inspecting engineer for the Bri-tish-American Tobacco Company, who escaped from the reported upon arrival at Tientsin that he had spoken to the Chinese Government troops who declared that they had now completely surrounded all the hill strongholds where the foreigners were being held. Mr Jacobson told a graphic story of the bandits' harsh treatment of the captives.