HUNT FOR PIRATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22295, 22 June 1934, Page 9

HUNT FOR PIRATES

SEA AND LAND COMBED AIR FORCE CO-OPERATING (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, June 20. It is reported from Weihaiwei that two captives held by the Shuntien piracy gang have been released. These are Mr Graeme Nicholl (insurance manager) and Mr M'Donald Watson (third engineer). Details are lacking. An aeroplane reported having seen three foreigners in a small sampan waving a white flag, but, having no floats, the plane was compelled to return to the base.

The most intensive pirate hunt in the history of China is now progressing on sea and land, and the air forces are co-operating. General Han Fu-chu's troops, which were despatched for the purpose, are forming a cordon, hoping to cut off the pirates' retreat inland, though in consequence of the ph - ates having gained the mountains thirty miles from the coast, it is believed that the task of dislodging them will prove most difficult. TWO CAPTIVES RELEASED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 20. British seaplanes, reconnoitring from the aircraft carrier Eagle, are reported to have picked up Mr G. D. Nicholl and another man, who were kidnapped by pirates from the steamer Shuntien near the mouth of the Yellow River in China on Monday. They were found in a sampan accompanied by a Chinese, probably one of the 20 natives who were made prisoner at the time. The pirates are believed to have numbered 30 or more. They are thought to be Shantung men. All of them were armed. The British destroyer Veteran is patrolling the coast near where the captives are believed to have been landed.

BRITISH CAPTIVES RE-LEASED. " ALL IN GOOD HEALTH. SHANGHAI, June 20. (Received June 21, at 8.30 p.m.) All the British captives were released. They were picked up from a sampan by the destroyer Whitshed and arc now safely at Chefoo. Messrs Nicholl and Watson were released early this morning, while Messrs Luce and Field (naval lieutenants) and Brand (second officer of the Shuntien) were found later, having been set free by their captors. All are in good health and little the worse for their trying experiences. Mr Yayamoto and the Chinese captives ai-e still in the hands of the pirates, who declared that they arc friendly towards the British but bitterly opposed to the Chinese Government. ONE CHINESE RELEASED. CONVEYING RANSOM DEMANDS. SHANGHAI, June 21. (Received June 21, at 8 p.m.) One Chinese was released for the purpose of conveying the ransom demands to the relatives of 19 other prisoners. It is believed that the pirates' spirit has been broken by the manner in which the Chinese troops are closing in around them and the relentless pursuit by British aeroplanes, which spotted and followed the party until dusk yesterday. The pirates are extremely angry with the Chinese authorities for sending Hanfuchu troops, which are now encircling the pirates' lair and will inevitably lead to their arrest or extermination. The fate of the Japanese captive is \ unknown.