PIRATES’ DEMANDS.

Wairarapa Age, 6 April 1933, Page 5

PIRATES’ DEMANDS.

HUGE RANSOM OR DEATH TO CAPTIVES. RECENT BAID ON BRITISH SHIP. FIVE DAYS TO COMPLY WITH REQUEST. (Received Wednesday, 11.10 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 5. Definite threats to shoot three British captives remaining in the hands of pirates unless a huge ransom was paid have been received in a letter delivered by F. Pears, the fourth captive, who was released for the purpose of delivering the pirates’ demands and who reached Newchang yesterday. The authorities are given until April 10 to comply, after which the pirates propose to scatter in order to avoid a possible punitive expedition. Pears reported that the other captives were well treated but he refused to disclose their whereabouts since the fate of his comrades depended on a promise given the bandits to keep their lair secret. CAPTURE CONFIRMED. SEARCH BEING UNDERTAKEN. RUGBY, April 3. The Foreign Secretary (Sir John Simon), in the House of Commons said that a report from the British Minister at Peking confirmed that the steamer Nanehang, of the China Navigation Company, was attacked at noon on March 29 by a large force of pirates while at anchor off the mejuth of the Liao River. The pirates carried off four subordinate British officers and made away up the river. The sloop Cornflower at once proceeded to Newchang, and an officer attached to the British Legation at Peking was also sent there. Urgent representations were made to the local authorities and to the Japanese Government and all possible steps were being taken by the land and river police in concert with the Manchurian Coast guards. Seaplanes and a number of junks were being employed to carry on the search. The Japanese Government had instructed their subordinate authorities to afford all possible assistance.— (British Official Wireless.)