CHINESE PIRATES

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 9

CHINESE PIRATES

PLANES SEARCH FDR HAUNTS SEQUEL TO SHUNTIEN LOOTING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SHANGHAI, June 20. Aeroplanes from H.M.S. Eagle, in consequence of the piracy, reconnoitred the Shantung coast to-day in the vicinity of the spot where it is believed the bandits landed. ' The result is not known at present. The British firm which operates the line to which the Shuntien belongs has announced that in future it will not accept Chinese passengers other than Government officials and merchants known for a long time to the company. Foreign circles are highly indignant over the latest outrage, and the ‘ North China Daily News ’ suggests that China could, without loss of dignity, consent to British and Japanese naval action for the purpose of destroying once and for all these pirate haunts, which are a continual source of danger to shipping. ' LARGE-SCALE HUNT REPORTED RELEASE OF TWO CAPTIVES REPORTED. SHANGHAI, June 20. (Received June 21, at 9.15 a.m.) It is reported from Weihaiwei that two captives held by the Shuntien piracy gang have been released. These are ■ Mr Graeme Nicholl (insurance manager) and Mr M‘Donald Watson (third engineer). Details are lacking. An aeroplane reported having seen three foreigners in a small sampan waving a white flag, but having no floats the plane was compelled to return to the base. The most intensive pirate hunt in the history of China is now progressing on sea and land, and the air forces are co-operating. General Han Fu-chu’s troops, which were despatched for the purpose, are forming a cordon, hoping to cut off -the pirates’ retreat inland, though having gained the mountains thirty miles from the coast it is believed that the task of dislodging them will prove most difficult.

TWO MEN PICKED UP DESTROYER PATROLLING COAST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 20. (Received June 21, at noon.) British seaplanes, reconnoitring from the aircraft carrier Eagle, are reported to have picked up Mr G. D. Nicholl and another man' who were kidnapped by pirates from the steamer Shuntien near the mouth of the Yellow River in China on Monday. He was found in a sampan accompanied by a Chinese, probably one of the twenty natives who were made prisoner at the time. The pirates are believed to have numbered thirty or more. They are thought to be Shantung men. All of them were armed. The British destroyer Veteran is patrolling the coast near where the captives are believed to have been landed.