THE BANDITS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18786, 21 May 1923, Page 5

THE BANDITS

LATEST NEWS THE GOVERNMENT POWERLESS By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. Received May 20. 11.50 p.m. PEKING, May 10. Word received by the foreign legations to-day has increased the expectation of the release of the captives. The Governor of Shantung telegraphed that a messenger had been sent to the bandits, offering the leaders army commissions and agreeing to incorporate the entire bandit force into the Shantung army. Government troops in Lincheng district are themselves beginning to murmur, because their pay is in arrears, and threats have been made that the troops may join the bandits. The Government, which would agree to the bandits’ demands that the Government troops be withdrawn from Shantung, is. however, power less, because the Tuchuns (military governors) refuse to permit such withdrawal. SHANGHAI BRITISHERS EXPRESS HORROR Received May 20. 11.50 p.m. PEKING, May 19. The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, which represents one of the most Important British communities in China, sent a copy of a resolution to the British Government expressing horror at the bandits’ detention of Britishers, and asking that action be taken to secure release. CHINESE GOVERNMENT AT WITS’ END FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS APPARENTLY IMPOSSIBLE Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. PEKING, May 19. The Government announced that further negotiations with the bandits seem impossible. The latter have gained numerically, and now demand the withdrawal of all Government troops throughout Shantung. ANOTHER NOTE TO CHINA Received May 20. 5.5 p.m. WASHING lON, May 19. The State Department lias received advice from the diplomatic corps in Peking, sending a fresh Note, demanding that the Chinese Government withdraw troops from the bandit territory. FINAL ULTIMATUM PEKING, May 18. A Shanghai telegram says: According to what the bandits term their final ultimatum, delivered by Barube, the French captive who was released on parole, the American and British captives will be shot on Tuesday if the Chinese troops are not withdrawn.