CHINESE OUTRAGE

Southland Times, Issue 18937, 10 May 1923, Page 5

CHINESE OUTRAGE

RANSOM TO BE PAID GOVERNMENT YIELDS TO BANDITS CAPTIVES USED AS SHIELDS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PEKIN, May 8. (Received May 9, 8.30 p.m.) The Government telegraphed the Governor of Shantung to yield to the bandits’ terms and secure the release of prisoners, paying the ransom if necessary. The negotiations for prisoners’ release will be conducted by Mr Roy Anderson, who is acquainted with the bandit leaders, and has the confidence of both. The Government and Foreign legations report having received information that two Americans and an Englishman were shot when the bandits used their captives as shields against the pursuing Government troops. WASHINGTON, May 8. The State Department received confirmation of the report that the Chinese Government promised to pay a ransom to secure the release of captives. RANSOM CAPTIVES. FOREIGN DIPLOMATS’ REQUEST. PEKIN, May 8. The foreign diplomats at a meeting in Pekin demanded that the Chinese Government should ransom the captives. AMERICAN ULTIMATUM. GUARANTEES FOR FUTURE SAFETY WANTED. WASHINGTON, May 8. The United States sent an ultimatum to the Chinese Government demanding not only the safe return of the American captives now in bandits’ power, but also guarantees against a future recurrence of such an outrage. The ultimatum gave notice that the United States would take whatever steps necessary to assure present, as well as future, safety of American nationals in China. BRITISH TROOPS IN READINESS THE REBELS’ THREATS SHANGHAI, May 8. (Received May 9, 8.30 p.m.) A report, from Tientsin states that British troops have been ordered to Shantung, there to be held in readiness to proceed against the bandits if necessary. Thomas Day, an American, arrived in Shanghai in an exhausted condition. He was released by the bandits to inform the Chinese authorities that the captives would be killed if the ransom was not paid. C. G. Jacobson, inspecting engineer for the British-American Tobacco Coy., who escaped from the bandits, reported upon arrival from Tientsin that he had spoken to the Chinese Government troops, who. declared that they have now completely surrounded all the hill strongholds where the foreigners are being held. Jacobson told a graphic story of the bandits’ harsh treatment of the captives. ELEVEN CAPTIVES RELEASED

PEKIN, May 8. Among the eleven captives released by the bandits are four ladies, including Miss Aldrich. As soon as the bandits arrived at their stronghold soldiers came up and fighting ensued. The brigand chief sent a message to the troops ordering them to cease fire, otherwise the prisoners would be shot. Further troops are hurrying up.