THE CHINESE BANDITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1923, Page 2

THE CHINESE BANDITS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. TO PAY RANSOM. PEKIN, May 8. The Government has telegraphed to the Governor of Shantung to yield to the bandits’ terms and secure the release of the prisoners, paying the ransom, if necessary. Negatiations for the prisoners’ release- will he conducted by Hoy Anderson, a foreigner who is acquainted with the bandit leaders and lias the confidence of both tile Pekin Government and the Foreign Legations. Reports have been received that two Americans and an Englishmen were shot when the bandits used the captives as shields against the pursuing. Government troops. BKPORT COXFIRMED. ’WASHINGTON, May 8. Tile State Department has received confirmation of ilie-’ieport that the Chinese Government has promised to pay the ransom to secure the release of the captives.

BRITISH TROOPS READY. SHANGHAI, May 8. A report from Tientsin states that British troops have 'been ordered to Shantung, and that they are to he held in readiness to proceed against the bandits if necessary. Thomas Day, an American, arrived here in an exhausted condition. He was released by the bandits to inform the Chinese authorities that the captives would he killed if the ransom was not paid. C. J. Jacobson, inspecting engineer for the British-American Tobacco Company, who escaped irom the bandits, reported upon arrival at lientsin that he had spoken to tho Chinese Government troops who declared they had now completely surrounded all the lull stronghold’s where the foreigners were ticing held. Jacobson told a graphic story of the bandits’ harsh treatment of the captives.