BANDITS' CAPTIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21555, 28 July 1933, Page 9

BANDITS' CAPTIVES

ANXIETY FOR SAFETY THREE BRITISH OFFICERS ABDUCTORS FLEE INLAND CONTACT NOT ESTABLISHED Dy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 27. 5.45 p.m.) SHANGHAI. July 27 Reports which have reached Dairen indicate tho increasingly difficult nature of the task of negotiating for tho release of tho tlireo British officers, Messrs. Blue, Johnson and Hargreaves, who wore seized by bandits from the ship Nanchang on March 29. Following upon tho recent joint Japanese and Mancliukuo attack on the pirates' lair in the Panshan district — when 20 of the outlaws were killed and the remainder find toward the north with their captives—negotiators have not been ablo to establish contact, as the bandits have lied far inland. ' The destruction by a punitive force of tho entire village of tho bandits and all their junks frightened the abductors to such an extent that all the survivors now aro beyond reach. Considerable anxiety is felt for the safety of tho captives. The inability of the Japanese military to round up this small group of bandits emphasises the lack of control of the authorities throughout the new Stato. Four British officers of tho steamer Nanchftng were captured by pirates off Ncwchwang on. March 29 while tho vessel was anchored outside the bar awaiting a pilot. Three -junk loads of pirates suddenly descended upon tho vessel. They maintained a heavy fire under which they boarded the steamer and intimidated tho Chinese crew. TlJe invaders ransacked tho vessel and captured Mr. A. Blue, second engineer, Mr. F. Pears, third officer, and Messrs. C. Johnson and W. Hargreaves, junior officers. Then they sailed away to tho north-west. Prompt but unsuccessful steps were taken to secure the release of the officers. A British warship was sent to the scene and tho Legation sent a military attache to assist in relief measures. The Japanese Legation stated that the river police were vigorously searching the 'creeks where the pirates disappeared. The junks dodged into a shallow estuary in the Liao River when the captain of tho Nanchang pursued them. On April 6 threats to shoot three of the captives, unless a huge ransom was paid, were received at Newchwang in a letter delivered by Mr. Pears, the fourth captive, who was released for the purpose of conveying the pirates' demands. Tho authorities wero given until April 10 to comply. After that date, the pirates said, they proposed 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, sinco. the fate of his comrades depended upon his promise given to the bandits to keep the secret as to where their lair was. \