CHINA AND HER BANDITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18678, 7 April 1924, Page 9

CHINA AND HER BANDITS.

THE LINCHENGr OUTRAGE. DEMANDS OF THE POWERS. PEKING REFUSES TO PAY. By Teleeraph-v-Press Association.Copyright. (Received 8.45 p.m.) A. and N.Z. PEKING,. April 5. The foreign Powers have failed , in their claims, totalling ' 354,220 dollars, Chinese currency, against the Foreign Office, representing damages for the Lincheng bandit outrage on May 6, 1923. The British claim was for 66,000 dollars, that of the United States was . for 144,000, Italy's for 100,000, and France's for 25,000 dollars. On May 6, 1923, bandits, supposed to be disbanded troops and numbering 1000, derailed and attacked an express train from Pukow to Tientsen at Lincheng, Shantung. They carried off 300 passengers, including a number of foreigners. One foreigner was killed and two Chinese were seriously wounded. The Chinese Government sent officers by special train to investigate, and also telegraphed to the provincial authorities to take immediate steps to suppress the bandits and obtain the return of the captives owing to the effect of the incident on foreign relations. The women captives were subsequently released, but the men were held for ran/ som. The United States issued an ultimatum threatening to take the necessary steps to assure the safety of American nationals in China. In the end all the captives were released, the Chinese Government having undertaken to withdraw the pursuing army, and not to punish the bandits or restrict their freedom. Later the bandits burned an Italian church at Tzens. . On August, 10 foreign diplomats presented a Note to the Chinese Foreign Office stipulating sanctions, damages and a guarantee covering the outrage. The. Note demanded compensation for the losses, indignities and sufferings inflicted on the victims, on behalf of each of whom 8000 dollars -was demanded.