Five European Officers Held to Ransom Peking, Sept. 14.
The Norwegian has] received news of the pirating of the. steamer-Botnia (1826 tons) at Hai [chow on September 12.
Tt appears that the Botnia grounded on the Bar when outward bound. The pirates attacked the helpless ship, seized Captain Haa-land and Chief Oficer Westerheim jand carried them away for ransom. The pirates are denianding half million dollars and threaten that if the money is not forthcoming within ten days the prisoners will be killed.
The Norwegian Charge d'Affaires, Mr. Aall, states that on receipt of he telegraphed to the Waiclnopa requesting "that mea: sures be taken for the release of the prisoners, and stating that in view of the Foreign Minister's frequent recent assurances that the] Chinese Authorities were able to protect foreign life and property ne was confident that the National: Government would see that the} Prisoners were immediately freed Reuter.
The str: Botnin left Shanghai for the north on September 7. The local agents of the vessel are Messrs, Wallem & Ca. 34 Canton Road. She is a small vessel of 4,800 tons and has no passenger! accommodation. Her cargo consisted of salt,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.