CHINESE BANDITS’ TERMS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2645, 14 May 1923, Page 5

CHINESE BANDITS’ TERMS.

FOR RELEASE OF CAPTIVES. DEMAND FOR SPECIAL RESERVATION. IN ADDITION TO RANSOM. [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) PEKIN, May 12. Mr Henley has brought the bandits’ terms for the release of the captives. Besides a ransom and the withdrawal of opposing' troops, the bandits demand the privilege of enlisting in the army or the receiving the freedom of a fifty mile area, wherein they will be free from arrest or attack, A Lincheng despatch announces that the American, Mr J. A. Henley, was released by bandits, and arrived there. BUSINESS MEN INTERVENE. TOURIST TRAFFIC CEASES. (Received Sunday 11.5 p.m.) PEKIN, May 12. The National Union of Chinese Chambers of Commerce has sent delegates to Lincheng to attempt to mediate with the bandits and to offer a guarantee of the payment of a ransom. Tourist travel in North China has virtually ceased as a result of the kidnappings. Trains are arriving empty, and passengers bound for the Coast from the interior seek other routes from the Tientsin-Prikou railroad.

POWERS’ ULTIMATUM. RELEASE OR PROGRESSIVE INDEMNITY. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) PEKIN, 31 ay 11. The Diplomatic Corps has sent an ultimatum, demanding that the Chinese Government obtain the releave of all foreigners by midnight, otherwise a heavy progressive indemnity will be imposed. _ NEWSPAPER WAN'S MESSAGE, SAFE CONDUCT FOR 3IEDIATOR. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) PEKIN, 3lay 11. According to a Tientsin message, 3lr J. B. Powell, an American newspaper correspondent held by the bandits, succeeded in getting out a message reading: “For God’s sake take away the troops. They threaten to kill us, all.” Another telegram states that Dr. Heiraberger, of the Shantung Christian University, has left for Linching under a guaranteed safe conduct to the bandits’ stronghold, where he will endeavour to negotiate for the release of the captive foreigners. A NECESSARY I3IPROVE3IENT, •> ‘ - BEFORE POWERS WITHDRAW RIGHTS. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, 3lay 12. Mr Hughes has notified the leading Powers that a commislson of enquiry into the improvement of the Chinese laws, with a view to withdrawing the extra territorial rights in*China, will meet at Pekin on November 11. The Commisison was authorised at the Washington Arms Conference, and it will include all Powers participating in that conference, also Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Peru, Spain and Sweden, all of which have extra territorial rights.