Six foreigners, including the Netherlands priest, Father Willins, and five Marist brothers are still in the hands of the guerillas somewhere west of Peiping.
Four others, including an Irish priest, Father I. F, Feely. were released ten days ago.
A detachment of Japanese troops are keeping in touch with the captors, but hitherto they have refrained from attacking them pending the outcome of negotiations for the release of the prisoners—Reuter. paign."
"So is the Japanese Government," the Gaimusho official added."
He pointed out however, that Rome has already formally denied the rumour that negotiations are in progress between Japan and Italy for the conclusion of an anti-Communist defence pact.
The current rumour, the spokesman said, is fraeable to the current negotiations for the conclusion of an Italo-Japanese commercial agreement.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.