ABDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH RESIDENT AT SMYRNA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 73, 8 December 1855, Page 2

ABDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH RESIDENT AT SMYRNA.

The abduction of Dr. M'Craith, an English physician, resident at Smyrna, by a band of brigands on the Oth July, has caused a great deal of excitement amongst the English residents of that town. From time immemorial the whole of Asia Minor has been devastated by brigands, who, however, generally contented themselves with highway 'robbery, varied occasionally by a murder. Within the last few years a band sprung up under Yanni Kalergi, who practised the plan of kidnapping some of the wealthier residents, and demanding ransom for them, and sending m the head of the captive to his relations. To escape molestation, several of the richer inhabitants, amongst whom some were English, payed a tax, or black mail. At last matters came to such a pitch, that no one could venture a mile outside the town ; and a place of 120,000 inhabitants was kept m a state of siege by some 30 robbers. The Pacha was at length roused to activity by the remonstrances of the French consul,' and sent a force against the robbers, who were dispersed, and their leader, Yanni Kalergi, captured, and sent to Constantinope, where he now remains m bagnio. The temporary security which these vigorous measures infused into the people was rudely broken on the 9th ultimo. A- band of some 30 foDTjersy armed to the teeth, established themselves about hatfa mile from Bouvnabat, on the road-side, and waylaid a number of persons, whom, they robbed of money, jewellery, &c. They also detained others for the purpose of obtaining ransom ; but let them all escape with the exception of Dr. M'Craith, a M. Manuc, and M. Marcopoly, the son of a Greek merchant m Smyrna. It appears that two brothers Marcopoly, with two friends named Dervis and Castor, were returning on horsebaok into Bournabat, about 7 o'clock on Sunday evening, when they were stopped at the roadside, close to a cemetery, by ten or twelve Greek robbers, armed with double-barrelled guns, pistols, and yataghans. While they were detained m the cemetery, they saw Dr. M'Craifn brought m by other robbers. He had also been stopped on the "road while on hi 3 way to attend a Mrs. Fisher, an English lady* residing at the neighbouring village of Hacljilar, m her approaching confinement. All the party were threatened with immediate death if they did not keep quiet, and when, on an omnibus' passing, which plies to and from Bournabat, Dr. Al'Craith attempted to call for assistance, he was stunned by a blow from the stock of a pistol. After some time tho robbers appeared to think it useless to detain Messrs. Dervis, Castor, and Q-. Marcopoly, but carried off Dr. M'Craith and H. Marcopoly. After traversing two fields, they fell m with four other robbers, who had under their care M. Manuc, and three other persons. The latter were allowed to depart,. Dr. M'Craith. M. Manuc, and M. H. Marcopoly being" carried off across the plain, some eight miles m width, to the mountains, where they arrived at midnight, and sent M. H. Marcopoly back with letters from Dr. M'Craith and M. Manuc, saying that the robbers demanded £1,000 each for ransom. He fell m at day-light with Colonel Starks, Samid Bey, and a large body of armed police, m pursuit of the robbers, and delivered his letters, but absolutely refused to act as a guide, or to give information as to the whereabouts of the band, under fear, probably, of their menaces and vengeance ; and when forced tip proceed, it is now believed that he led the pursuers intentionally on a wrong track. Nearly all the members of the medical staff armed and started at midnight also m perauit. A great part of Monday was spent by detached parties scouring the mountains m various directions, and one party came up with the robberß, bxit after receiving' a volley, which wounded one man, they threw down their arms and fled. It now became a question whether a party of English soldiers, convalescents, should be engaged m the service. Colonel Storks was quite ready to lend them, but the English and French consuls, and the family of M'Craith, were opposed to any such measures. They argued that the first object was to save the doctor's life, afterwards to pursue the robbers. It was accordingly arranged that the Turkish troops should be withdrawn on Tuesday, and the ransom sent to the robbers by a shepherd. By that time, however, they had shifted their quarters, and ib is supposd that the ransom has not yet reached them. On the 15th, they were said to have been seen about seven lfonr'a journey from hence, with Dr. M'Craith on a donkey, and his friends confidently anticipate that be will ba restored to them as soon as the ransom ia received. They collected the money for ransom, and insisted that ho should be secured before further steps were taken. Of course Colonel Storks and the Pacha were obliged to yield to these remonstrances.