TRAIN BANDITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18861, 14 May 1923, Page 7

TRAIN BANDITS

THE CHINESE OUTRAGE. PRISONERS’ LIVES IN DANCER. MESSAGE FROM NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ' . PEKING, May 11. According to a Tientsin message, Mr J. B. Powell, the American newspaper correspondent held by the bandits, succeeded in getting out a message reading: “i)or God’s sake take away the troops. They threaten to kill us all.” Another telegram states that Dr Heimberger, of Shantung Christian University, has left for Linching under guaranteed sate conduct to the bandits stronghold, where he will endeavour to negotiate for the release of the captive foreigners.— A. and N.Z. Cable. WAS THERE COLLUSION! COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY APPOINTED. WASHINGTON, May 11. The American Minister at Pekin has informed the State Department that China had agreed that an inquiry should be made into the bandit outrages by a mixed committee of Chinese officials and foreign Consuls. The inquiry will seeK to, discover the extent, if possible, of tne culpability of Shantung’s civil military governors and also whether there was collusion between the bandits and the train crew as alleged.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ULTIMATUM TO CHINA. RELEASE OF PRISONERS DEMANDED. PEKING, May 11. The Diplomatic Corps has sent an ultl matum demanding that the Chinese Government should obtain the release of all foreigners by midnight, otherwise a heavy progressive indemnity will be imposed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION. TOURISTS FRIGHTENED TO " TRAVEL. PEKING, May 12. (Received May lb, at 11.5 p.m.) The National Union of Chinese Chambers of Commerce has sent a delegation to Lincheng to attempt to mediate with the bandits and offer a guarantee of the payment of the ransom. Tourist travel in North China lias virtually ceased, as a result of kidnappings. The trains are arriving empty, and passengers bound for the coast from the interior seek other routes than the Tientsin-Pukon railroad.— A. and N.Z. Cable. RANSOM TO BE PAID. FOREIGN RESIDENTS PERTURBED. PEKING, May 11. The Government has expressed to the British Minister its profound regret at the kidnapping outrage, and has promised to use the utmost efforts to obtain the release of the people captured. The military and Civil Governors have been instructed to secure their release, the Government supplying funds for their ran som if it is required. A meeting of the various foreign organisations- carried a resolution strongly denouncing the outrage and promising full support for the British authorities in any steps which they may take.—A. and N.Z. Cable. AMERICAN RELEASED. PEKING, May, 12. (Received May 13, at 5.0 p.m.) A Lichcng despatch announces that the American J. A. Henley has been released by the bandits and has arrived there.— A. and N.Z. Cable. —— \ THE BANDITS’ TERMS. RANSOM AND FREEDOM FROM ARREST. PEKING, May 12. (Received May 13, at 5.6 p.m.) Mr Henley brought the bandits’ terms for the release of the captives. Besides the ransom and withdrawal of the opposing uoops the bandits demand the privilege of enlisting in the army or receiving the freedom of a 50-mile area wherein they will be free from arrest or attack.— A. and N.Z. Cable.