1929-08-26 — Page 4

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THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1929.

ITALIAN ENGINEER'S GHASTLY EXPERIENCE.

44 DAYS IN HANDS OF BANDITS.

STARVED AND DRAGGED BAREFOOT OVER HILLS.

CHILDREN TORTURED AND KILLED.

["D.P." Special Service.]

Hankow, August 15.-A ghastly story of killing, looting and burn ing committed by bandits in Honan province, was told to the United Press yesterday by Mr. Riva, an Italian engineer in the employ of the Lunghai Railway, who was recently released from the clutches of the brigands after 44 days of captivity and who is now in Han- kow for medical attention, ...

Dragged barefoot across moun- tainous regions and repeatedly threatened with death, the un- fortunate captive had to follow the outlaws from town to town, walk- ing over 40 miles a day:

The hardships experienced by Mr. Riva were appalling, as he was made a victim not only of bandit terrorism but also the scute famine conditions which are prevailing in most of the Honan districts.

100 Capture a City. Although the bandits demanded £30,000 ransom, only $3,000 was actually paid, the amount being furnished by the Chinese authori ties. Two thousand dollars were paid as ranson to the bandit lex- der, 8400 as wine money to the two bandits who acted as guards and 8800 as "cumsha" to the ser

vants of the bandit chief.

even among

Without payment of these tips,” the release was hopeless, for the system of squeeze in China is popular

bandit organizations.

Mr. Riva was kidnapped at his quiet home at Timen (Iron Gate) Dear Loyang in the early hours of the morning of June 14. The city was apparently not so." iron," as it was easily taken by the bandit gang numbering, only about 100. The local militia were over-powered and, after looting the town, the outlaws marched off to a mountain nearby, taking with them as cap- tives Mr. Riva and several Chin- ese including the Timen station-

master.

During the first day of his cap- 12 Handkerch'vestivity, the Italian engineer had to 2 Pr. Shoes walk over 40 miles, being dragged bare-foot across hilly districts and therny ́paths. As might approach ed, Mr. Riva was unable to walk, being weak with fatigue, hunger and thirst. He was given neither food nor water and was tied to the back of a mule, moving slowly towards the west."

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VISITORS CAUSE

INDIGNATION,

During the 44 days, the band moved from one place to another, travelling mostly at night, as they wanted to make their movements to be as mysterious as possible. Town after town and village after village was looted and burned by the outlaws as they proceeded on Brutal" murders their journey.

were committed, the victims being mostly farmers and famine re fugees.

Famine Rations,

In one town, Mr. Riva related, the bandits captured a large num- ber of little girls and boys, all under the age of 10, and put them to death in a horrible manner. Six of these children were tortur- Fed and slain before Mr. Riva's eyes, as the gang wanted to show him what it would mean if the ransom money was not forthcom- ing. A large number of young wo- men were also seized and carried off.

For 4 days M. Riva lived on food eaten by only the famine-stricken population. From day to day he was given flour mixed with sand and tree leaves. Occasionally there were a few eggs, but the englicer only had, the white, as, for some unknown reason, the bandits took all the yolk of the eggs.

For the white of hardly 10 eggs, the bandits aubsequently charged the Chinese officials the sum of 880. The money had to be paid before the Italian could regain

freedom.

his

Released at Last. The release of Mr. Riva was effected on July 20. The Chinese authorities must be credited for the efforts in restoring successful freedom to the engineer,

It will be remembered that, as soon as the news of Mr. Riva's cap ture reached the Honan provincial authorities, Gen. Han Fu-chu, Chairman of the Provincial Gov-

ernment, at once ordered his troops

out on the trail of the prepetrators of the outrage.

The Chinese station master, who' was carried off with Mr. Riva, was freed two days after he was seized claes to the authorities regarding and returned to Chengchow to give

the bandits' movements. It *96 not until the latter part of July.

that the nest of the outlaws was located.

An official was immediately sent to see the bandit leader and to ne- gotiate for the release of Mr. Riva. An expedition would perhaps have wiped out the entire band in & day or two, but the authorities were unable to use force, as the bandits threatened to kill their foreign captive as soon as troops appeared in the neigbourhood of their lair.

It was in order to save the life of Mr. Riva that the Chinese authorities paid the ransom money instead of sending an expedition.-- United Prest.

►

BATTLE IN JUNGLE.

CHINESE AND POLICE USE REVOLVERS.

ព

Ipoh, August 16.-The Matang police recently succeeded in surpris- Shanghai.-Several Associations

ing a number of Chinese holding a have commented adversely On several statements which the party creek at Port Weld.

secret society meeting" on a lonely of American journalists who were in" Shanghai are said to have made. The police chased the members Affairs Committee, it was pointed Chinese opened fire and the police meeting of the Diplomatic upstream and on drawing close the out that while in Japan the news retaliated. The Chinese then jump- paper men had made several comed into the stream and entered the ments which were "extremely detri-jungle and disappeared. Two were mental to China," and the meeting subsequently arrested and the next resolved to send telegrams to day nine others were found in the Chinese Ministers in America and jungle. The police are still tracking Japan to ascertain the object of the i the others and are hopeful of arrest trip by the newspaper men and that ing many more.-Straits Times. confidential reports should be sub mitted.

“POWDER MY BACK.”

AN AMUSING TRIFLE AT THE QUEEN'S

[GY QUR TILM CRITIC]

Dramatic or film critics are harder to please than any other section of the public when it comes to a ecmedy. Charles Morgan, dramatic critic to the Times, told me he saw nothing funny in Charlie's Aunt," which I suspect was more pose than truth, but oc.. casionally there does come a comedy" which makes even the hardened cynics in the Press seats laugh.

Powder my Back" now showing at the Queen's, is such a comedy. It is amusing partly in action and more in the clever acting of Andro Beranger. I have often met this

*0

actor the screen before and thought him rather tiresome, but in this picture he has pruned bis exuberance and is really good and very amusing.

How

KAIPING COAL

FOR HOME FACTORY, & POWER HOUSE

HOME, FACTORY AND BUNKERS

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THE KAILAN MINING ADMINISTRATION DODWELL & CO., LTD.. Agents, Hong Kong.

THREE

KILLED IN SHANGHAI FIRE.

TRAGIC OUTBREAK IN CANTON ROAD.

FOUR HOUSES BURNED DOWN,

j

SIX PEOPLE SENT TO HOSPITAL.,

The heroine is played with wit and humanity by irene Rich. She has the part of an actress who comes up against John Hale (Anders Randorf) who is candidate for the mayoral seat in his town and is riding the "purity plank." the manages to conquer the plaus

The fire started in the upper mayor makes an amusing film, but". Shanghai, Aug. 20.-A fire, which I did wonder why he permitted his broke on Canton. Road about 20 storey of a Chinese house halfway between Honaa Road and Kiangle. prospective daughter-in-law to wear

a.in. yesterday resulted in the Road on the south side of Canton death of two children and a woman Road, while inmates were pumping quite so few clothes when he was keen on propriety.

and serious injuries to three other spirits into an alcohol stove. The stove exploded and the flaming persons. The Fire Brigade re-liquid was thrown all over walls. sponded, and, although the flames and furniture and on several wo- had made terrific headway, had men and children, who were in the

room at the time. them under control within minutes and confined to four houses.

If you want a good laugh with a

and go story behind "Powder my Back" to-day.

"DREAM OF LOVE.”

see

Modernising an old French play waa the task that faced Dorothy Faraum when she adapted "Adrien- ne Lecouveur made famous by Sarah Bernhardt for the films under the title,,Dream of Love." "

This new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, in which Joan Craw- ford and Nils Aather are featured, opens on Thursday at the Queen's and brings to the screen a vivid picture of intrigue in a royal court. Aileen Pringle has the part of a and Warner haughty Duchess, Oland is again seen as an imposing

ruler.

The story is an old one of a romantic dancing girl and the Crown Prince of the little Kingdom. Revolutions threaten the security of

revolution in the little kingdom has the throne and piace many obstacles in the path of the lovers. When a swept away royalty, the course of their love gives promise of run-" ning smoothly, and then comes the unexpected and earprising climax.

Dream of Love" was directed by Fred Niblo, who directed " Ben Hur."

ADVICE FOR INVESTORS.

EADERS RE are reminded that inquiries relating to the share market are answer- ed on page 9 every Tuesday by *** Kufan." Letters should be sent to this office, and must be accompanied by writer's name and address, not for publication, Letters should be addressed to "Kulan,” czră of the Editor.

INTIMIDATION GANG AT

WORK.

SHOTS FIRED TO SCARE CHINESE RESIDENT.

fast near the corner of Thibet Shanghai.-On Saturday evening and Peking Roads, three armed men fired a number of shots outside the residence of a bath house pro- prietor, evidently with intent to frighten him. After they left, he found a threatening letter pasted to his back door. No persons were wounded.

Shortly before 8 p.m., the Chinese-

in question was sitting in his house which is situated in an alleyway

03

It was stated that telephone con- nections were responsible for the delay and that a police officer had to run from Canton' Rond to the Fire Station on Hones Road, near

alarm,

In a moment the damen were eating their way through the roof, while the inmates managed to make their way to lower floors. The heat was so intense Rhat baly a few minutes had passed before the up- per floors of three adjoining houses. were effected.

From these and neighbouring Hankow Road, and turn in anuses the Chinese inmates scurri ed, carrying out as much bed and baggage as they could before the arrival of the Brigade. Portions of the road were filled with personal possessions and the police had much. Brigade and in establishing fire culty in clearing a way for the lines.

Near Fire Station.

The scene of the fire is probably not more than 500 yards from the Fire Station, but when the firemen first sighted the flames they had burst through the roof and smoke and fire belched forth..

The injured persons had made their way from the affected house, the first of four houses, and five of them were sent to the Lester Hospital for Chinese, by the police and a sixth was despatched to St. Luke's Hospital in the rescue var. When the policeman arrived at the Fire Station, three engines were turned out within 30 seconds. On arrival at the spot, the first took

Six Sext to Hospital.

The contractor's temporary shed, on the north side of Canton Road also caught fire, the flames at one time almost appearing to leap across the narrow road. A fireman was detached to the rear of the roof of this structure and with a single continued to play on the roof and jet be was able to put out the fire. He front and other sparks and cinders. were put out before the building caught fire again.

Within half an hour after arrival the firemen had things in hand and at 11.18 a.m., could call off all machines, excepting one for damp- up position at a hydrant on Honaning down. One of the machines, manned entirely by Chinese, accord- Road, followed by the second. The ing to eye-witnesses, did remark- third had gone vid Kiangse Road. able work. Lines from the first and third were laid with efficent speed and a few seconds later firemen were pouring huge quantities of water on the seat of the trouble.

The police in the meantime had maintained a cordon round the area, and had sent off five victims, Firemen found a sixth who was badly burnt and who bad secreted himself in an adjacent shop. They administered first-aid treatment and the, rescue van took him to St. Luke's Hospital.

Fighting Intense Heat. The heat from the fire was 20" Later reports are to the effect intense, however, that the second that a two-year child died in the machine could not proceed along Leater Hospital for Chinese, Canton Road to a third hydrant on while still Inter a 33-year old wo- Kiangse Road, until a number of max succumbed to the burns she, men played several jets on it while received. A four year old 'boy, the driver went through.

also is reported to have died..

SUPPOSED INFORMER the boy was being held in a house

in Markham Road.

KILLED.

ALLEGED MEMBER OF A GANG OF KIDNAPPERS.

·SEQUEL TO ARRESTS,

Shanghai. The arrest of two men

off Thibet Road, when he heard and a woman in Shanse Road near

Raid On a House,

A raid on this house immediately reaulted and there the police found the lad, while in another room was the body of the murdered man, a strip of paper pinned to his breast. It is presumed that he was done away with as a suspected informer,

According to the accused two other members of the gang remain at large, and police were sent on a fruitless errand to a mill in Robin- son Road in quest of one of them,

there.

A translation from the Chinese recently demanded the abolition of press of a report of a Euomintang consular jurisdiction. America was meeting is appended:-

the first nation to voice her opposi ..three shots fired near the back door. Peking Koad had a dramatic sequel who was reported to hold the gang's In connection with the baseless tion. "American journalists who A few seconds later he heard two statements made by the American visited China were exploited by the

more at the front of the house, but in the Provisional Court when they supply of pistols and ammunition, journalists the First District Kuo-Japanese imperialists in Japan and thonght nothing of the shooting were charged before Judge Chau They were told at the mill, however, mintang of the Shanghai Special expressed certain baseless viewa until he came out when all was and Mr. H. E. Stevens, Benior that no such person was known District has issued the following about China.

quiet-and found the letter.

Consul's Deputy, with being mem- The kidnapped boy appeared, in manifesto:-

He informed a constable on bera of a gang of kidnappers, and Such comments are most detri patrol, attached to Louza Station, with the murder of a Chinese iden the court and the public mortuary Those who have confidence in mental to China and are liable to. America believe that America is a mislead the people of the whole Sinza Station, in whose district the gang

who relayed the information to tified as another member of the and described how he had been captured and guarded. When his nation that upholds justice, that she world. For the sake of the future shooting was done. Detectives came

captors failed to get the ransom Police effected the release of an they demanded he was ill-treated, has sympathy for weak nations and of our race we can not remain

to the scene and found three spent 11 years old boy from information he told the court. The murdered that she is supporting China. silent over this matter. We strong cartridge cases and one bullet, which obtained from the accused, and the man he had seen constantly calling

ly advocate that our Government had ricochetted from a wall. I give a severe warning to the Ameri- The letter when translated show. youngster identified his captors and at the house and he appeared to bo "All Chinese must now be fully can journalists and to lodge a strong ed that he was to pay a sum of the body of the murdered man. an ally of the kidnappers

The arrest of the accused came The three accused were remanded convinced that this is not, so. We protest with the American im

money or take the consequences, ho should realize clearly that all the perialists...

having received several other letters as a result of a prolonged vigil by in custody. It has been established the police who followed up letters by the police that one of them is imperialists throughout the world "People throughout the country during May. are trying to occupy our territory should urge our Government to The only witness to a portion of from the kidnappers demanding an escaped convict from Hangchow, to deprive Ching of her rights and enforce revolutionary and non-co- the affair was a hawker, who stood ransom of $30,000; from the boy's who was serving a term of life im- to exterminate the Chinese people. operative foreign diplomacy against at the mouth of the alleyway. He parents. On the way to the station prisonment there. He broke out of from Shanse Road one of the arrest gaol with over 100 others in an "In order to preserve our national all imperialists in order to secure heard the shots and saw three men rights and territory our Government victory for the Chinese citizens re leave the alleyway with pistola ined men, apparently with the idea of organized attack on the guards in

saving his skin, told the police that which four warders were killed. (Continued on next Column.) volution."

"A Savere Warning."

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