THE CHINESE BANDITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1923, Page 2

THE CHINESE BANDITS.

CAPTIVES SUFFER SEVERELY. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PEKIN, May 7. It is reported from Tientsin that a Britisher was killed when the Chinese bandits captured the train. AI together 2(i foreigners were kidnapped. A party who escaped state that the bandits started firing upon the trail) before it was derailed. The passengers were robbed of all their valuables. Those kidnapped were mostly in their night attire, and bootless, and included six ladies who were hustled by the brutal guards. The captives suffered severely by being compelled to walk over miles of rough country. During the night time a few escaped by hiding in the long grass. CHINESE BANDITS. MILLION DOLLARS RANSOM. : PEKIN, May 7. The Britisher who was killed by the Chinese bandits was named Joseph Rothman. Amongst those kidnapped is Scripps, proprietor of the United Press. The brigands consist of part of a force of over four thousand, whose stronghold is in the neighbouring mountains.

The British and American Legations have demanded that the Chinese Government shall secure tho immediate release of the captives and supply a full explanation.

AMERICAN TROOPS TO HELP. WASHINGTON, May 7. Mr Hughes, and the Acting Secretary for War. Mr Davis, discussed a plan to use American troops to help to capture the Chinese bandits. The United States lias a thousand officers and men stationed at Tientsin, as well as a marine guard at Pekin. While orders thither have not yet been despatched, it is learned that the United States will unite with other foreign governments similarly as in the Boxer uprising should the Chinese Government fail to act effectively. Tile Stale Department has received confirmation from the Tientsin Consul that- the bandits have released t-lie women prisoners. FURTHER DETAILS. SHANGHAI. May 7. Although the Chinese Government lias dispatched 10,000 troops after the bandits, the officials expressed fears that the prisoners may be murdered if the outlaws are too closely pursued. The Government is in great perplexity, frankly declaring that it does not know what measures to take to effect the release of the prisoners who are now known to include Frenchmen and Italians.

The foreign diplomats at Pekin are to confer to-morrow ns to what- course of action will be taken. It is believed that the bandits are fleeing with their captives to Tusliawliu Lake, which will Ise the rendezvous of the bandits in the mountains of South Shantung. A relief train from Peking to Tientsin, bearing foreign consuls and physicians, was despatched when news arrived that- the women captives had been released. The women who were- bare-footed, after being driven some distance by the bandits fell owing to exhaustion, and the bandits left them. The nomen then crawled back to the scene vf the wreck, from which point they were transported to Tientsin.

A telegram from Lincheng, v here the assault on the train ocmrre.!. states that the soldiers have surrounded the bandit- forces, and there has been continuous firing by both sides for many hours.

The report that an American had been shot is now authenticated. All the women are reported released, but the bandits threaten to execute the men prisoners if the soldiers are not withdrawn.

Tt is reported that- only three Bri tishers are among the captured foreign ers.

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