, 1923-05-16
THREE KIDNAPPED
CHINESE KILLED
BY BANDITS AS
WARNING, CLAIM
Anxiety Over Plans for
Release Of Foreigners
Increased by Report Of
Cliff Murders.

May 16-(By
The Associated Press)-With
an unconfirmed report re-
ceived here this morning
from Lincheng that three of
the Chinese captives held by
h Suchow train bandits had been
hurled to their death over a pre-
cipitous cliff in the Shantung noun
tains as n warning to the authorities.
further word OF the negotiations for
h release OF the foreign oaptives
was awaited a~nxiously.
Tho L%incheng report said tho
Chinese victims were killed Instantly.
The alleged murders wero said to
have been intended to impress on the
Chinese government and the foreign
diplomatic corps that the bandits
meant what they said when they an
nounced that all tho prisoners would
be slain unless tho bandits terms
were complied with. The period of
the ultimatum sent out Sunday b.
tho bandit chieftain. granting three
days. was believed to have expired
either last night or some time today.
Leaders of the bandits are said to
h~No AA&k 1AAAAA1AA w I1ANNAhLN utter
noon at Dragon Paw Gin. ten miles
north OF Tsaochwang. Counter pro-
posals were discussed n It Is be-
allowed that the outlaws nnaI decision
was forwarded today.
The demands emphasize. as a basic
requirement, that the foreign diplo-
mats guarantee the bandits agninst
reprisals from Chinese or foreign
| eapr~aa and oIuN shat A.. H4f-f-~..k-
pledge the carrying out of the gem
eral terms. These terms do not men
tion ransom, but require the lorna
ton OF the bandit force. numbering
5000 into two brigades, with Sun
Mei.Jan. n of the bandit leaders.
appointed brigade commander. Tho
Chinese government also is ordered
to send tho bandit stronghold fully
supplies of ammunition. his to be
preceded by the withdrawal of all
pursuing troops.
Chevalier Musso. a prominent
Italian attorney one OF the captives.
is reported In a desperate plight from
illness.
This was the warning given by
Chinese villagers, who are in close
touch with the brlgands. to II. Perlani,
prominent italian OF Shanghai, who
returned today after making a futile
attempt 10 see his countryman.
Chevalier Musso, who is held n
prisoner. in tho robbers mountain
stronghold.
Perlani also said that Father Will
liam Lenfers. the aged German
Catholic priest who made a trip into
the hill retreat OF the marauders,
told him he believed the relief parties
OF foreigners at Tsaochwang were In
very grave danger.
Two trains of conl from a mine
near Tsaochwang have been seized by
bandits and 500 troops who were
guarding them are declared to be un-
trustworthy and likely to go over to
the %brigands at any moment
Perlani asserted that American
consular authorities at Lincheng and
Tsaochwang have imposed a censor
ship on all kilograms and mail mat
ter going out from those points.
lie said hat the bandits are aware
OF every move being made along tina
railway lines and are kept informed
of all Developments in Lincheng.
T~saochwang and elsewhere by n tele-
phone line into their hill retreat.
The coneensus OF opinion among
! passengers board n train that ar
rived from Linchens his afternoon
was:
Nobody can say what win be the
outcome OF h negotiations with the
brigands for tho release Of their cap
tives. or what the fate OF the captives
viii be. The affair may drag out for
weeks"