CHINESE RIVER PIRATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19147, 15 April 1924, Page 8

CHINESE RIVER PIRATES

TAI LEE AGAIN ATTACKED. ASSAILANTS DRIVEN OVERBOARD. Press Aeaociation —By Telegraph—Copyright. PEKING, April 12. While the steamer Tai Lee was on a voyage from Kongmoon to Hongkong a number of pirates disguised as passengers rushed the engine room. Simultaneously confederates on the river bank fired rifles at the Tai Lee. The steamer whistled and sent up rockets and Verey lights, and the steamer Sunnim, answering the calls, went to the Tai Lee’s assistance. European police, a sergeant and tour specials, and six Indian Guards returned the pirates’ fire. Several passengers were wounded. The pirates jumped overboard,, and swam ashore, losing three killed. A Chinese woman passenger on the Sunnim was killed by a stray bullet.—Reuter. AN ESCORT DEMANDED. BRITISH OFFICERS THREATEN WITHDRAWAL. PEKING, April 16. As a sequel to the Tai Lee affair on the China coast, the Officers’ Guild and the Marine Engineers’ Guild'have resolved that the Kongmoon steamers shall not sail until a proper escort has been provided by His Majesty’s Navy. Th'.s means that the guilds intend to withdraw all British officers from the ships. The local view is that the number of gunboats available for ’the Canton delta service is insufficient to provide escorts without prejudice to other necessary patrols in view of the unsettled state ot South China.—A. and N.Z. Cable. While on a voyage to Kongmoon in January last, the Tai Lee was attacked by pirates who, as in the present instance, had shipped as passengers. Captain Willcox and one Indian guard were mortally wounded, and the pirates escaped with loot valued at about 20,000 dollars.