Urgent Plea that He at Least May Be Released Tsaochuang, May 26.
The following letter from Mr. William Smith of Manchester was received late this evening and was brought in by Dr. Mertens, Mr. Musso's physician. It is addressed to Mr. Carl Crow, head of the American Rescue Mission.
Dear Sir:—You are indeed very good and working so hard for us all that I am loth to trouble you. Dr. Mertens has given me some veronal tablets to help me to t to sleep. Neurasthenia with insomnia is my trouble and I came from England for a sea voyage to remedy this and unfortunately stopped. off at Shanghai thinking it was safe to make a side trip to Peking. My supply of verona) will last only four nights more. I take it as prescribed, not sufficient to produce sleep but just enough to rest my brain. If don't get a further supply either of veronal or sulphonal tablets I shall surely collapse. Dr. Mertens asked me to write to you for a supply. Do please get some and send them to me by letter. If I could be transferred to Tsaochuang from this hellish place, to rest under quiet conditions and under the observation of the consular officials until this political problem was solved—under parole—I believe T should get to sleep and avoid a complete breakdown. T am the oldest foreign captive, 63 years, and all the foreigners are agreeable that I should be sent away. J have written to H. M. Consul-General, Mr. B. G. Tours, on the subject. Do kindly send me verona) or sulphonal tablets, five grains each tablet. Dr. Mertens will sanction it as T am direful and fake underdoses. I am sorry to make a confession of my condition but am absolutely compelled. Of course as soon as I can get out and get my letter of credit I shall have money.
Gratefully yours, Mr. J. B. Powell, who returned this afternoon to the bandits' camp after the expiration of his 24 hour parole, stated that Mr. Smith was suffering considerable mental anguish, and that all the younger men had endeavoured in every way to assist him and relieve him of as much worry as possible. He also stated that the bandit chieftains had repeatedly promised to release Mr. Smith, and he hoped that their promises would be fulfilled shortly after his return to Paotzeku.
Mr. Carl Crow telegraphed to Hsuchowfu and Tsinanfu in order to obtain the sleeping powders so urgently required by Mr. Smith.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.