Bandits Invite Authorities to a Discussion Peking, Jan, 27.
1 is learned here to-day that the bandits who on January 16 captored Capt. Charles Baker, the American skipper of w lighter which was then stranded a little more than 100 miles above Hankow:, are negotiating for the bandits took Pailechi, 120 miles above Hankow, i their captive to
Jand demanded a ransom of $120,000. 'They have. now' informed. the authorities that they are willing to discuss the question of ing the Yansom and ask that a messenger Should meet them at Pallochi to-understood that the bandits ist that, negotiations for Captain Bake:'s release must be conducted the "Hupeh Soviet Government" which is understood to. mean the bandits leaders who have set up what they calla Soviet government i Hankow, Jan, 31 'The bandits holding Captain Charles Baker, who was captured fon January 16 as his lighter lay' stranded a little' more than 100 miles above Hankow, are now inlanding a much higher ransom {0° release. The strenuous efforts made by the American authorities to have his freedom restored have: Ted the bandits to believe that any. price will be paid so long as their Captor is liberated.
Originally demanding $120,000, bandits are now asking for a substantially higher sum and also for printing and other materials, 'Captain. Baker, an. American, is now held in the vicinity of Pailochi, 120 miles above Hankow. "He is Feported to be ina very weak' condition—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.