OUTRAGE IN CHINA.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 7

OUTRAGE IN CHINA.

CASE OF MR THORBURN. kidnapped by military. BRITAIN DEMANDS RELEASE. (Official W’lreless.) RUGBY, July 27. The Under-Spcretary for Foreign Affairs, .Mr Hugh Dalton, stated in reply to a question in the House of Commons concerning the disappearance of Mr John Thorburn, a British subject, aged 19, from Shanghai, on Juile 1, that the British Ambassador to China, Sir Miles Lampson, had been instructed to make representations to the Chinese Government in the following sense:— “Independent inquiries have established beyond 1 all reasonable doubt that 'Mr Thorburn, who was under suspicion in some quarters of having shot at and fatally wounded two Chinese gendarmes, was arrested and handed over to the custody of the military authorities, who found means to silence witnesses possessing a knowledge of the facts. "It is the duty of the Chinese Government in the first place to discover Mr Thorburn’s whereabouts In China, if he is still alive, and in the second place to inflict suitable punishment on any military authority who may have been responsible for maltreating him, or causing his death. “The British -Government, therefore, most earnestly and strongly urges the Chinese Government with all expedition to find means of persuading the military authorities concerned in the present case of the urgent necessity for enabling the Chinese Government to carry out the -ordinary obligations of a civilised State." Mr Dalton added that Sir Miles Lampson had been instructed to convey the foregoing as a special message from the British Government, and to add that the British Government must insist on adequate and proper protection being afforded to British subjects. A message from Shanghai on July 21 said:— The entire foreign community has been stirred by the disappearance of a British subject, Mr Thorburn, aged 19, on Juno 1. British Consular investigations show that Mr Thorburn was kidnapped, and possibly maltreated by native soldiery within 50 miles of Shanghai. , •The Nanking Government denies all knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr Thorburn. National societies, supported by more than 3000 British signatures, are cabling to London demanding strong action by the Foreign Office. The affair is creating unprecedented International indignation.