CHINESE BANDITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1923, Page 1

CHINESE BANDITS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PEKIN, Alay 11. Accoding to a Tientsin message, Air J. B. Powell, ail American newspaper correspondent, who was held by tlie bandits succeeded in getting out a message reading: “For God’s sake take tway the troops, they threaten to kill .is all.”

Another telegram states that Dr Ueimberger, of the Shantung Christian University, lias left for Licking under a guaranteed safe conduct to the bandits’ strong-hold, where he will endeavour to negotiate for the. release of the captive foreigners. WASHINGTON, Alay 11.

Aliuister Schurmaii has informed the Statci Department that China has agreed to an inquiry being made into the bandit- outrages by a mixed committee of Chineso officials and foreign consuls. The inquiry will seek to discover the extent of the possible culpability of Shantung’s civil and military governors, also whether there was collusion between tlie bandits and the train crew as intimated.

PEKIN, Alay 11 The diplomatic corps lias sent an ulinatum demanding that the Chinese overnment shall obtain the release of d the foreigners by midnight, other-i-e a heavy progressive indemnity ill be imposed.

PEKIN, Alay 12. A Licheng dispatch announces that

an American, J. A. Henley, lias been released by the bandits, and has arrived there.

Henley brought the bandits’ terms

for the release of the captives. Besides the ransom and withdrawal oi the opposing troops, the bandits demand the privilege of enlisting in the

iriuy or receiving the freedom of a iO-mile area wherein they will be free rom arrest or attack.