PIRATES' CAPTIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 11

PIRATES' CAPTIVES

BRITISH OFFICERS RELEASE ANTICIPATED (Received May 30, G. 5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, May 29 Negotiations for the release of the three British officers who were captured from the steamer Nanchang are in the Lands of the Manebukuo authorities. The newspapers says their release is imminent. Details have not been revealed, but it is understood that neither the British Consulate nor the owners of the .vessel are to pay ransom. Four officers were originally captured by the pirates who on March 30 raided the British steamer Nanchang as she lay at /anchor in the Gulf of Chihli, near Newchwang. They were: Mr. A. D. Blue, second engineer; Mr. Frederick L. Pears, third engineer; Mr. William Ewart Hargraves; and Mr. Clifford Johnson. Nine, armed men in uniform from or.e of the pirate junks boarded the Nanchang and fired their rifles. Two of the steamer's Chinese crew were wounded, but the Chinese passengers were not molested. The pirates hurriedly looted ,the officers' cabins, tied lip the four Britans, put them in the junk, and made off to the north-west along the coast. . The master of the Nanchang, Captain Kobinson, Inirried to the wireless cabin to send out an S.O.S. Neither he nor the first engineer, who was in the engine-room, was molested. On discovering that four of his officers hac. been kidnapped, Captain Robinson compelled the frightened Chinese crew to weigh anchor and chased the pirates; but the junks escaped by taking to tho shallow water. On April's threats to shoot three of the captives unless a huge ransom was paid were received in a letter delivered oy .Mr. Pears, who was released for the purpose of convoying the pirates' demands. He duly reached Newchwang. The authorities were given until April 10 to comply. After that date tho pirates said they intended to scatter in order to avoid a possible punitive expedition. Mr. Pears reported that tho other captives were being treated well, but he refused to disclose their whereabouts since the l'oto of his comrades depended Upon his promise given to the bandits to keep the secret as to where their 3air was.