Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1923, Page 1

- WEATHER. Incressing cloudiness tonight; to- ,Mmorrow unsettled, probably showers; little change In temperature. Temperature for twenty-four hours nded at 2 p. 4:45 pm. yesterday; lowe: today—Highest, 72, at 48, at & a.m, today. Full report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and No. 28872, 73 LIVES TOLL OF FIRE IN S. CAROLINA SCHOOL; EXPLOSION CAUSES PANIC 40 Children and 33 Adults Perish When Lamp Drops at | UNE SMAU_ [:l_fll"] Bonds, Page 28 Entered as second-class matter post office \Washington, D. C. Class Play Entertainment COLLAPSING STAIRWAY TRAPS SCORES AS FLAMES ADVANCE| Mothers Cut Off on Upper Floor Hurl Babies to Safety and Fall Back By the Associated Pres: CAMDEN, S. C.,, May 18.—Kershaw county t cost of the fire that last night eight miles from here. Seventy to Death. oday counted the destroyed the Cleveland School,! -three known dead—men, women | and children—together with dozens more or less seriously injured, were being counted this morning. Five injured are in a hospital here. The exact number of injured could not be ascertained this morning, attention being given and care of the bodies of the dead. to the injured and identification Eye-witnesses to the horror today still were so shaken that but few could talk of it. WHOLE FAMILIES WIPED OUT. The blaze, that in some instances wiped out entire families, leaving none to care for the dead, started near the close of the comedy, “Topsy Turvey,” being presented by the senior class of the school as a part of its commencement exercises. The bracket on which hung a lamp over the stage gave way. | The lamp fell to the stage and exploded. Burning oil splashed over the stage igniting flimsy draperies. Women, men and children made a rush for the single exit from the room. Mothers with babies in their arms were trampled under foot. Cooler heads attempted to quell the panic, but with- out avail. Then the stairway leading from the second floor, where the play was being given, collapsed, hurling scores to the lower floor and pinning many under a squirming, screaming mass. Seme were caught under fallen timbers. Hurl Children to Safety. Mothers trapped on the second floor hurled their children to safety in eagerly waiting arms of persons who had escaped, and then fell back into the flames. Men. who made their way out of the building. returned and endeavored to rescue the injured and imperiled. Some of them did not come back. The fire spread so rapidly that lit- tle could be done after the first rush, and within a short time nothing was left but a pile of ashes within which lay the bodies of scores. Half of Business Houses Closed. This morning all except two of the persons known to be in the building had been accounted for. Seventy-one bodies had been extricated from the ! NEW MOVIE HOUSE ruins and search was continuing for trace of two young men. The majority of the homes in Ker- shaw county and many throughout the state were touched by the fire. In Camden fully half of the business houses were closed and many homes Jisplayed crepe. Forty young children, eighteen men and fifteen women, including a negro nuree, were burned to death, and two young white men are missing. Slight mention has been made of hoid- ing an inquest, for in the confusion and excitement of this morning. the only thought of those in this community has been to notify faraway reatives of the dead and to console the living. Coroner G. L. Dixonh of this county is amung those listed as dead and no one has been designated to act in his place. State Senator Funderburk has taken charge of the arrangements for identi- fication and burial of the dead and for velief of the suffering. Nearly every home for miles around house the injured. Cleveland School is located in the cen- ter of a fertile section. but sparsely populated. The road leading to the scene is little more than a one-way path, along the edge of a plowed fleld. Bodies Badly Burnmed. 1dentification of bodles was a diffi- Donnie Truesdale, son of Huey Hinson, and two children of James Hinson. RED CROSS SENDS AID. Funds in Any Amount Available for Relief Work. National funds in any amount need- ed have been made available for re- American Red Cross. Headquarters of the organization here telephoned Joseph C. Logan, at Greensboro. that the money would be placed to the credit of the Southern Division of the Red Cross. Mr. Logan immediately dispatched to Cleveland Carter Tayior, who hai charge of relief at New Bern. E after the recent fire in that city. Mr. Taylor i{s expected to reach Cleve- land this afternoon. AT GOLUMBIA ROAD 1,500 Sea} Building to B Erected Near Site of Knickerbocker. A theater with accommodations for 1.500 patrons will be erected on 18th street just below Columbia road, across the street and somewhat south of the new Ambassador Thea- ter now nearing completion on the site of the old Knickerbocker, it was learned today. A. B. Willls, president of the United Theater Corporation, announc- ed today that his company had ob- tained property from 2443 to 2455 18th street. Recently six of the seven houses listed ‘in this group cult task, as almost all were burned | were sold to Emile Beauvals through #0 badly that only through keepsakes and bits of clothing could their iden- | tity be established. Ones man was identified by an automobile switch- key and another by a belt buckle. Thirteen Camden residents are known to be among the dead. The American Red Cross headquar- ters this morning telegraphed the mayor of Camden that nurses and doctors were assembling there, pre- pored to extend aid needed. They ‘were notified that no aid was needed. List of Dead. The death list follows: Mr. and Mrs. G. Charles Hamphries, Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. McLeod and two children, S. T. West, two children of L. M. West, J. E. Peéarce, Mrs. J. R. Phillips and three children, Charles Hendrix and four children, M. B. McLeod, Mr. and Mrs. B. G. McLeod and one child, Mrs. Britt Crott and two children, Wesley Hendrix and one daughtef, Mrs, Rhodes, Mrs. Campbell, Eoline Campbell, Jack Rush, Mrs. Walter Davis and three children. Grace Arrants, Mrs. R. L. McGaskill and one child, two children of B. L. Trapp, Jesse Smith, two chil- dren of C. K. McCaskill, Ima Arrants, Mrs. Willlam Brown and one child, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Davis and two children, Coroner G. L. Dixon and one daughter, Mrs. L. T. Dixon and two children,” Mrs. C, L. Dixon and two children. Mrs. R. L. Dixon and one child,” child of Cleve Goodwin, two children of D. L. Sowell, a negro nuree named Wade, Ellie Barnes and jthe office of W. A. Brown, 1400 H street. Approximately $170,000 was involved ‘in the transaction. Definite news of the location of the new theater was heralded today by dlsplay of a large yellow sign over the seven bulldings announcing them as the site for the new Astor Theater. Full details of the trans- action have not yet been completed and a considerable amount of capital will probably be invested in pur- chase of additional property adjoin- ing in the rear before actual build- ing starts. Details are expected to be announced early next week. [Eccentric Convict Snares Police, Killing One, Wounding Another| By the Associated Press, NORTH BAY, Ont.,, May 18.—Detec- tive Fred Lefebvrie of the North Bay police force was killed today in the resumption of & man hunt for Leo Rogers, eccentric ex-convict, which was started last night by R 3 whim to taunt the authorigies ° " Rogers escaped from a crowded courtroom Wednesday, using a card- board pistol to keep guards and spec- tators at bay and to commandeer a passing automobile, Last night, having obtalned a brace of real automatics, he telephoned to olice headquarters, and, t: lEln as an ‘acquaintance of Rogers,” told the authorities he could be found hiding bohind a garage near Lake Nipissing. itef work at Cleveland, §. C., by the! | e £ JAPAN ENVOY SEES | INSKIES OF PEACE Says U. S. Treatment of Jap- | anese Only Possible Cause of Friction Remaining. DECLARES ARMS PARLEY { BETTERED CONDITIONS 'Hnnihfin Avers His People Desire Only Closest of Friend- ship. I ‘ By the Associated Preas. NEW YORK, May 18.—Treatment of Japanese in this country, in the jopinion of Masanao Hanihara, the Japanese ambassador, is the only thing that is apt to disturb the friendly relations existing between the United States and Japan. Address'ng the Japan Soclety here today, the ambassador declared that the “happy result” of the Washing- ton arms conference was the “re- moval from our mutual international relations of the feelings of suspicion which had disturbed them. He add- ed, however, that the American atti- ! tude toward the Japanese immigrant was the one question “in the whole bright outlook™ which “vexes the i minds of both people. “l want you to understand,” said Mr. Hanihara, “that there is no ques- tion of our desire to send in more {mmigrants. The question is simply one of elementary principle in inter- national Intercourse—that is to say. ot discrimination or no discrimina- tion based on color or nationality.” Seen United States Justice. “Now, it ig clear to me that Amer- fca wants t6 be just and that she is triendly to Japan. On the other hand, Japan has no desire to send to your country such of her people as you do not desire. So, with no conflict of great interests between us, and with no cause on either side for distrust or suspicion, but with evident desire and every reason on both sides for a mutually beneficial friendship, I con- fess that I cannot see why our com- mon _intelligence and collective wis- dom should fail to find the right so- lution, fair and satisfying to all of | us, to'a problem which is apparently | | difficult, but really simple. “With this question gettled, there will be nothing for years to come that {may likely disturb our happy rela- i tions.” Discussing the benefits derived from the Washington conference, the am- | bassador declared “it had been ap- parent for some time before the con- ference that distrust and suspicion Pad crept into the minds of some of | the people of both countries.” Influences Bad. “It seems to me” he continued, “that this had bcen due largely to| influences—some merely lgnorant, | others malevolent—which had been exerted persistently in recent years to undermine the traditional friend- ship of the two countries. But in spite of these efforts the conference gave both countries a real opportu-| nity to talk things over, and the people had a chance to learn what was going on.” After declaring there were “excel- | lent reasons, both material and ideal,” for Japan and the United States being | on the “friendliest terms,” Mr. Hani- | | hara sald: 1 i Trade Is Large. “Japan sells to the United States more than to all other countries| combined, excepting only China, and Japan is America’s best orfental cus- tomer. Further than that, America’s trade with China is not injurlously affected by Japanese competition, al- though the bpposite is often alleged. The fact is that America's sales to China are increasing more rapidly in proportion than are Japan's. “To studentsof the national needs of Japan it has become clear that we must have America's co-operation— with both money and energy—to de- velop our industry and commerce. And it 18 equally clear that in such full development of trade and manu- facture lies the only hope for Japan' economic—nay more—her national survival Japan is a valuable trade connection in the Pacific region, Mr. Hanihara asserted, adding that the connection is even more valuable to Japan than to America. “We understand these facts,” continued, “and understanding them so plainly it would be preposterous— monumental folly—if we were to be 80 blind to our own interests as to attempt _any action or adopt any (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) An automobile loaded with police- men. sped to the spot, and as the | officers started cautiously around the corner of the garage. Rogers opened fire from behind a nearby tree. The police ducked to cover, while Constable Willlam McGovern and another constable started a flanking_ movement through the trees. Rogers saw them, however, and turned his fire in their direction, dropping McGovern with a serious wound. Then he disappeared. Shortly after daybreak the fugitive Was seen running across an open fleld toward an old farm house. Detective Lefebvrie, leading nuur of the pursuers, ventu: ‘wlmn range and Rogers drop) him with & bullet through the body. Fp Vi e enin .WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION N S T A 5 S e WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1923 -FORTY-FOUR PAGES. EXPLOSION OF BOMB DAMAGES THE U. 3. CONSULATE OFFICES INMEXICAN GAPITAL Windows Shattered by Blast; U. S. Officials Escape With- out Injury—Second At- tempt to Wreck Structure. By the Azsociated Press. MEXICO CITY, May 18.—Two bomb explosions of United States govern- ment premises in Mexico City have occurred this month, the first at the American embassy on May 4, and the second today in the building housing the American consulate general. The fact of the first explosion did not be- come known until after the bombing at the consulate building today. Neither bomb did material damage. Oftice Alone Damaged. This morning’'s outrage occurred at 2:35 o'clock, when a bomb was ex- ploded at the side door of the con- sulate general, damaging the door, destroying windows of the lower floor, but causing no casualties. The consular officers themselves were not affected, the damage occurring to the furniture and windows of the office of the consulate building occupied by a Mexican attorney. The first explosion, it was learned, occurred to. 3 o'clock on the morning of May 4, In the garden of the em- tassy building, near the terrace, a fragment from the infernal machine clipping a chunk off the embassy Luilding. By the Associated Preas The bomb which exploded on he premises of the American embassy in Mexico City May 4 was hurled into the embassy garden about 3 o'clock in the morning, and Its explosion was so weak that it did not damage what- ever, according to the brief report of the incldent transmitted to the State Department. The department was still awaiting. late today, a report as to the bombing of the Mexico City consulate. No arrests have been reported. The missile was hurled into the embassy garden at the time of radical demon- strations in the streets of the city, in the courae of which the demonstrators protested against the recognition con- ferences between the Mexican and American governments. It is assumed bere that the outrage was the act of some radical fanatic. ANGLO-SOVIET PACT ARPEARS DOOMED Pessimism Follows London Conference and Second Will Be Held. BY HAL O'FLAHERTY. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 192: LONDON, May 18.—Inquiries this afternoon in British officlal circles and at the Russian trade headquar- ters evoked only gloomy and non- committal responses. British officials await Krassin's next move, which de- pends upon Instructions from Moscow. In view of the reports from the Daily News correspondent in Moscow it looks as if the Anglo-Russian trade agreement is doomed. Swedish interests here are watching the developments, which must have an immediate and drastic reaction upon the relations between the Scan- dinavian countries and Russia. FACTS KEPT SECRET. By the Associated Press. LONDON, May 18. Leonid Krassin, Russian soviet commissar for foreign trade, had a two-hour. conference with Marquis Curzon at the foreign office today concerning the recent ex- change of notes by the two govern- ments. Both sides agreed to reveal nothing publicly regarding the nature of dis- cussion and it is apparent from the extreme secrecy observed in the other governmental departments that Lord Curzon is determined notking shall be announced regarding the declsions taken until the conversations are con- cluded. The Russian trade delegation was equally uncommunicative. As soon as M. Krassin has com- municated Lord Curzon's views to the soviet government and recelved a reply he will have another con- ference ‘with the foreign secretary. Optimism is expressed in official quar- ters that the negotiation with Kras- sin, who possesses plenary powers, will result in an amicable solution. Significance Discussed. Discussion arose in the house of commons between the government spokesmen and the laborites as to the actual significance of the lengthy meeting between Foreign Secretary Curzon and M. Krassin, the soviet commissir for foreign trade. The laborites made evident their fear that, during the Whitsuntide recess the government might take some steps against Russia without parli- mentary consent. Replying to the debate, the under- secretary for foreign affairs, Donald McNelill, contended that the British ultimatum to Moscow still stood and that all that had been done was to give time to Krassin in which to communi- cate with his government. Finally appeal was made to Stan- ley Baldwin as leader of the house and acting premier. Mr. Baldwin supported Mr. McNeill's view and de- clared that should it become obvious that no agreement was possible with the soviet, the government could not be tied in its action by the fact that parliament was not sitting. At the same time he was hopeful of a favor- able issue. . heart diseasc, causcd his death. N N 3 AN News Note: U. 5. GOLFERS TRAIL IN'PLAY FOR CUP British Stars Win Three of| Four Matches for Walker Trophy. By the Xssocinted Press. ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, May 18.— The British amateur golf team holds ! a commanding lead in the Walker cup competition as a result of the! first duy’s matches. The Britishers| won three of the four two-ball four- somes at thirty-six holes played to- day. The Americans must win six of the eight twosomes to retain the trophy, which has never been out of | American possession. - ! Roger Wethered and Cyril Tolley ! won thelr two-ball foursome from | Francis Ouimet of Boston and Je Sweetscr, * the American amateur champién. 6 and 5. Gardmer In W Robert Gardner of Chicago, captain of the American team, and Max Mars- ton of Philadelphia defeated Robert Harris, the British captain, and C. V.| L. Hooman, 7 and 6. John Wilson and W. A, Murray, British, defeated Harrison R. John- ston of ‘St. Paul and John F. Neville of San Francisco, 4 and 3. E. W. E. Helderness and W. L. Hope. British, defeated George V. Ro-, tan and S. Davison Herron, Ameri-! cans, by:one hole. - : Wethered at Best. Wethered and Tolley had con- siderabls the better of their morning round against Sweetser and Ouimet. The Americans had one faulty or un- lucky shot on each hole going out, while both Wethered and Tolley out- | drove theéir opponents, and Wethered | putted well. The English pair made the turn G up. The cards: Tolley-Wetbered— Out Bweetser-Ouimet— Out Tolley-Weinéred— e 34456563339 45555544441 3355454543877 4344455744081, Herron:and Rotan did not lose a hole going out and made the turn 5 up. The cards: Herron-Rotsn—Out. 44456 443337 1 Out 55456664344 HeronRotaa—in " 43 454054643576 e e . 4454545544084 Gardner: and Marston got the jump | on the first two holes in the mornin; and kept the lead, making the turn up. The 1ith, where they took a 7, was the only hcle they lost on the way home. Wilson and Murray were consistentiy superior to; Johnston and Neville, going ut in the morning, winning six of the , Rine holes: Johnston topped several irons. Both the Americans played ex- | cellent golf_on the way home. They Were only 23 down when the morning { round was:over. The car | Wilson Moy Out 55545438438 | Johnston-] le— BEEBEE 444 te Shee 444585856 a1—m! 4355440443003 I Gardner - and Marston continued their excellent play in the afternoon which they began 6 up. Their British opponents were very un- steady, especially on the greens, and only, three of their first nine holes were madein 45 or better. The Ameéricans stymied them on {Continued on Page 2, Column TRACE GOULD’S DEATH TO VESIT TO TUT TOMB Friends Sa¥ Cold Ending in Pneu- monia Began in Valley of Kings in Egypt. By the Associatad Press. NICE. France, May 18.—Friends of George J. GAfild, the American finan- cler, who died at Cap Martin, near Mentone, Widnesday, declared today that his fatél {llness originated In a: cold caught: in the Valley of the A , in_ Egypt, which he visited 52’:5'(]“ dlmfiery of Tutankhamen's tomb. H “The cold gorsisted, pneumonta fol- lowed and, “with a complication of - Star. PEPCO CASE DEFERRED. Crhief Justice McCoy Puts Rate Hearing Over One Week. Chief Justice McCoy in Equity Divi- slon 2 teday continued for one week the hearing on the application of the Public Utilities Com n for the set- ting of a date by the court for the re- | valuation of the property of the Poto- mac Electric Power Company. The court still has under considera- tion the motion of the commission to require the Potomac Electric Power Company to continue to refund the dif- ference between the 10-cent rate col- lected from consumers and price recently set by the commission. The company is seeking to prevent any further impounding HOOVER TO SPEAK 10 SOCIAL BODIES Secretary’s Address Will Close All-Day Sessions of Conference. Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Com- merce, is to be the chief speaker at the evening session of the semi-cen- tennial national conference of social work in Memorial Continental Hall tonight, closing the all-day discussion in a score of meetings on the general subject of “Industry.” » Another important speech wiil be made by James J. Mallon of London, for twenty vears a conspicuous work- er for reform in factories. tary of the National League he was instrumental in secur- ing the pa board's act which established mini- mum wage rates in certain industries. At the end of the war he, as honorary | secretary of the trade board's ad- visory council, was intrusted by the trade union movement of Great Brit- jina with the duty of looking after the interests of some 3,000,000 workers for whom legal minimum rates of wages are fixed. In 1919 Mr, Mallon accepted the wardenship of Toynbee Hall, “the mother of university set- tlements.” which office he still fills. Under his wardenship Toynbee Hall 'has gained particular renown as a center of higher education for work- ingmen and of research into social and industrial problems. He will discuss the “Public Inter- est in Industrial Organization.” American labor will have as its spokesman at this meeting Willlam H. Johnston, president of the Inter- national Association of Machinists, who_will talk on “Social Aspects of the Labor Movement. Welfare work in the industrial fleld was the general subject of dis- cussion for speakers of recognized authority in various lines of en- deavor at all of the sessions today. jRev. John A. Ryan of the National Catholic Welfare Council was chair- man of the general conferences dur: ing the day and Homer Folks, chair- man of the national conference, will preside this evening. Startling revelations regarding the present condition of the world were given to one group conference by E. C. Lindeman of New York, a research specialist, who, speaking on the sub- ject of “Industrial Technique and So- clal Ethics,” declared “ours is a mod- ern ‘dark age' in spite of all our ma- terial advances.” He gave the reason to be that “we are caught within the clutches of controls which we do not understand and which, consequently, = As secre- | Anti-Sweating ge of the British trade| (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) tion is delive “From Pres to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- ered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. -Yesterday’s Senator La Follette intends to take a hand in the Minnesota senatorship campaign. REPUBLIEAN POVER N SEMATE TOTERS Two Deaths May Cut Major- ity to Six, Counting Rad- ical Members. BY N. 0. MESSENGER. The legislative situation in the | next Senate promises to be precarious | for the republican party and the ad- 1 ministration, consequent upon the Geath of Senator Nelson of Minnesota and Scrator Nicholson of Colorado. Before their demise the republicar | majority in the Senate was ten. The i appointment of -Alva B. Adams, a dem- ocrat, reduced It to eight. If a democrat is clectcd In the special election called for July 16 in Minnesota the majority of the republicans will be six, but will include some republicans who can- ihol be counted on to support all the administration policies. | Radicals in Power. | In point of fact, the radical bloc in the next Senmate will control the reorganization of committees and ihold the whip hand over legislation. {The progressive senators—even those who are classed as radicals—are ex- | pectde to demand increased represen- | tation on committees and will be in a position tc enforce their claims. The progressives and radicals expect | the assistance of democrats on some {of their most pregressive bills in con- templation and the democrats will, o doubt, utilize every opportunity to embarrass the republican ma. Jorit The action of Gov. Preus of Minne. {gota yesterday in calling a special jelection to fill the vacancy in that state adds to the interest of the sena- torfal situation. Tne regular re- publicans in the Senate had hoped that Gov. Preus himself would find means to succeed Senator Nelson and join their ranks. It had been sug- | gested trat he might resign the | overnorship and be appointed to the | vacancy by the lieutenant governor, Ibut that plan seems to have fallen through. The primaries for the selection of candidates at the July election have been called is no_indication vet that Gov. Preu: wil lenter the lists. Senator La Follctte is expected to go into_the ! primaries and make a vigorous fight for a liberal candidate for the senatorship. He is credited with having rendered valuable assistance in the election of Senator Shipsted, the farm-labor candidate, who will be in the next Senate. Democrats Hope Split. The democrats will make a fight in the July election for a straight. out democrat, hoping to benefit by a prospective split between the re publican factions. The two national committees will not take part in the primaries for the selection of candi paign for the election. It is noted that in the Colorado appointment the governor ignored the recommendations of Mr. Wilson, Mr. McAdoo and Mr. Bryan in the selection of a senator. Mr. Wilson had suggested Mr. Huston Thompson and Mr. McAdoo and Mr. Bryan son. as a conservative democrat. Own Invention Vindicates Boy .Accused of Falsifying Records Antonio J. Lombardi, eighteen-year- old employe of the mail bag repair shops here, triumphed today. Not long ago he was accused of falsifying his record in reaming keyholes on mail bag locks, his records show- ing that he did twice as much ream- ing in a given time as any other employe. Then young Lombardi “came back at them.” He showed officials his own patent “jig” for reaming the holes, or enlarging them. Today Lombardi was presented with $26 by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Billany, and a beautiful cer- tificate, telling of his winning a prize for meritorious invention, signed by the Postmaster General of the United States. Not knowing anything of Lom- bardl's invention, officials had asked other employes why they, too, could not make a record like Lombardi. And the other employes, not seeing how it could be done, declared that it simply could not be a fact. So the charges of falsifying his records was placed against the young man. But his display of his “jig” made every- thing lovely. Lombardi has been with the ‘mall bag shop only since last fall. J. D. Miller of the shop was pre- nted with a prize of $100 for a de- sign and construction of equipment for cutting lacing cords for mail bags. T. L. Richardson was _presented with a prize of $60 for a device for bending tumbler springs for mail bag locks, enabling an operation that for- merly was done by hand to be done mechanically. Ten dollars was presented to Third Assistant Postmaster Glover for his slogan, “Say Merry Christmas with a postal ‘money order.” It is declared that the slogan boosted the money order receipts tremendously, to succeed Senator Nicholson | for June 18, but there! dates, but will juMp into the cam-| wanted the late Senator Shafroth's The governor's choice is classed H Net Circulation, 93,012 TWO CENTS. AMERCANS 0 DE TUESDAY F TROOPS ARE T RECALLED BANDIT LTIMATUN [Will Be Shot With British Captives, Word Brought by Freed Frenchman—OQut- laws Seize More Chinese. SCHURMAN THREATENS DRASTIC ACTIGN BY U. S. Fiat to Officials Says Terms Will Not Be Talked Until Prisoners Are Released—Relations Re- garded as Strained Because of Delays. { By the Associcted Trern SHANGHAI, May I18—American and British captives of the Shan- | tung bandits will be shot next Tues- day if the Chinese troops are not withdrawn, according to the “final ultimatum” of the bandits, brought from the mountain stronghold today i by Marcel Oliver Berube, a French- man, one of the prisoners, who was lreleascd for the purpose. Bandits last night attacked Tawen- I kow, a town ninety miles north of iLincheng, and seized a number of | captives, according to a report re- !cel\'ad here. Muke Plea for Chinese. ! | In a plaintive message to the out- jside world a group of Chinese, who | were captured by the Shantung train { bandits and escaped or were released, ideplore the lack of interest in the | fate of the large number of Chinese held in the mountain stronghold along with the sixteen or more foreigners. “The lives of Chinese people,” says the communication, “never move the hearts of officials. 'The foreign cap- tives number only 10 or 20 per cent of the Chinese victims. but how en- thuslastic forelgn officials are in | seeking their release. Chinese offi- cials and militarists also are busy. but their assiluity is prompted by fear of diplomatic complications more than by anything else. The 100 odd Chinese prisoners, therefore, are left conveniently to their fate. What ‘o the ‘mandarins and mili- arists care if a couple of hundred Chinese perish? “But we are sparing no effort (o { liberate our fellow-countrymen.” A relief bureau for the Chiness | captives has been organized at Tien- i tsin. | PRIEST SEES CHIEF. i { Fails to Obtain Liberation of Any ! Captive. By tiie Associated Press. SHANGHAL May 1S.—Another let- jter from Rev. Willlam Lenfers, the | aged German priest of Lincheng, was |delivered to the Associated Press here {today, and describes his second trip nto the stronghold of the Shangtung | bandits. For the second time within {a few days he Interviewed the bandit j chieftain, but did not succeed in ol- taining the liberation of any of the | toreign captives. Father Lenfers was accompanied i by Dr. H. Martens and Father Buise, |a Dutch missionary. En route tha | encountered a Japanese bound als {for the bandit headquarters. “We compelled him to turn back.,” writes | the priests, “because he would cer- | tainly have been killed, greatly in- | creasing our danger. | Halted at Outer Camp. | “We heard a signal shot at noon | and discerned bandits on the slopes lof the mountains. We continued juntil we were halted at the outer | camp of the outlaws. They were dis- | tant and suspicious and toid me they | were being cheated and I was being | deceived, because, they declared, the ‘troops had been withdrawn from only | cne mountain, after I had promised | that all would be withdrawn. They old me that new troops then were | enly four miles away. | “They refused to permit me to ses the prigoners. 1 begged to see Chev- alier Musso, who is sick, offering the { Catholic mission's guarantee. i _“I begged for permission to_ take | Musso out. Refusing, they said Musso as ten milee away. Oftered Sixteen-Year-0ld Gir:. ! | “The bandits gave me a letter pur- porting to account for their move- | ments. Then they offered us a six- | teen-year-old Chinese girl captive {from Shanghai. We decided to re- | fuse, still asking for Musso. The gir! | was taken away and we were warned | to leave by 3 o'clock. “The leader accompanied us for a short distance, charging bad faith in i regard to the troops. but he shook hands with me as he left. | “The chief told me that he would | free only a few captives when the | first conditions were fulfilled, a few mure when tae second conditions were carried out, and all only when the whole handit army was safeguarded. “I advise you to print in large let- ters that there's no hope of the pris- oners being released in a short time. Who thinks otherwise is ignorant of the ways of mountain outlaws. SCHURMAN SPEEDS ACTION. TSAOCHWANG, Province of Shan- tung, China, May 18.—Get the foreign captives out of the grip of the Suchow bandits and talk terms aft- | erward. otherwise there will be | “arastic action,” was the ultimatum lald down to Chinese government offi- clals here late yesterday by Dr. Jacob G. Schurman, American min- ister to China. The American diplomat, who stop- red oft here on his way from Shang- hal to Peking, told Chinese officials congregated here to negotlate with the bandits, that unless the foreign prisoners were released immediately serious international complications would result.