AIRMEN HELD TO RANSOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 441, 24 August 1928, Page 9

AIRMEN HELD TO RANSOM

CAPTURED BY MOORS MEN’S PITIABLE CONDITION (United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) Times Cable. LONDON, Wednesday. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” reports that grave anxiety is felt about the French airmen, Messrs. Reine and Serre. Moors have been holding them to ransom since they were forced to land at Rio de Oro, Spanish West Africa, early in July, while they were en route to South America. The situation is complicated by the fact that a powerful tribe is threatening to exterminate the tribe which captured the airmen, unless they se cure the release of Moorish prisoners now in French hands, as well as a high ransom. A French official visited Rio de Oro, but he did not secure the release of the airmen. It is reported that his failure was due to the Gov ernmeat refusing to exchange prisoners. To send a relief expedition is not possible, because Rio de Oro is situated in the Spanish zone. The airmen have sent letters to their families telling of their pitiable condition. They say they cannot wash and are covered with vermin. Madame Serre has written an in dignant letter to the newspapers protesting against the Government’s at titude in leaving the airmen to their fate while it waits for the Moors cupidity to abate. She demands the release of the prisoners by the payment of the ransom.