Kidnapped Judge Is Released, But Collins Still Missing

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 January 1947, Page 5

Kidnapped Judge Is Released, But Collins Still Missing

HOSTAGES HELD BY THE PALESTINE TERRORISTS Received 11.30 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 29 Judge Wyndham, who was kidnapped by Jewish terrorists while he was actually presiding over his court in Tel Aviv, has been released and has returned to his home, fit and well. The other captive held by Jewish terrorists, Mr. I. W. Collins, who was kidnapped from a house in Jerusalem on Sunday, is still missing. His captors say that he has been released, and details of his whereabouts will be given to-mor-row over the secret radio. Some people think that Mr. Collins may have been released and is so badly wounded that he cannot communicate with the police. Judge Wyndham said that he was well treated by his captors, who fed him well and gave him cigarettes. He was still wearing his black legal gown when he was recovered, but was minus his wig, which his captors kept as a souvenir. It was stated by the terrorists that their primary object in the kidnappings had been achieved—Dov Gruner, the terrorist under sentence of dfath had not been executed.

The ultimatum which the British High Commissioner (Sir Alan Cunningham) gave the Jewish leaders expires to-day. It was that unless both captives were released within 48 hours portion of Palestine would be placed under military control.

Judge Windham told the Times’ " Jerusalem correspondent that after being dragged from the Court on Monday he was hustled into a car which drove at great speed for 20 minutes. He was then blindfolded and led into a shed in what seemed to be a Jewish settlement. His captors were young masked men, who guarded him at one a time and told him he was a hostage for the condemned terrorist Gruner. Judge Windham said he was given Jewish food and fruit also an English language newspaper, the ‘•Palestine Post,” and when he read that Gruner had been given respite he was not surprised. When he was told he would be freed he was led from the shed and made to walk by a roundabout route for more than an hour with a mask on. The mask was finally taken off and replaced by a handkerchief. His captors then left him. He walked for an hour and eventually found a factory from where he telephoned the police. A note sent to Hebrew newspapers in Tel-Aviv by the Irgun Zvai Leumi promised to release Judge Windham and Mr. Collins "within hours.” The note added: "Our practical aim has been achieved. Gruner was not executed.’

Yesterday morning the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Council held a special meeting to discuss Sir Alan Cunningham’s ultimatum demanding the return of the kidnapped Britons, which was understood to be due to expire at 5 p.m., local time, to-day. After the meeting the Jewish Agency issued a statement in the name of the Jewish community, demanding the immediate unconditional release of Judge Windham and Mr. Collins.

The police are speculating that his kidnappers may have decided to keep Mr. Collins longer for treatment. Mr. Creech-Jones, in the House of Commons, said he is believed to be seriously injured. (According to the Associated Press, he was hit on the head with an axe handle and then chloroformed at the time of his abtjuctlon.) Judge Windham walked threequarters of an hour across muddy fields to the factory after being set free. Mrs. Windham told reporters that the guards who watched the judge constantly wore black masks. They had long political arguments with him in German in the friendliest manner, and they joked about the possibility of having to kidnap him again in the future. He was given the latest newspapers.