-HE chief topic of interest in Peiping preceding the China New Year was the sudden and somewhat unexpected return of Mr.
Prank Poletti, Peiping Postal Commissioner, after 40 days captivity in the Western Hills. The strangest part of the story is that he brought back with him $10,000 ransom money that had been handed over a few days after his capture.
Mr. Poletti must have a very strong constitution, for, despite the harrowing experiences he had undergone, he looked wonderfully fit. He had a good colour and was a little stouter, which was remarkable seeing that about a week previously he had gone on hunger strike for four days, in the hope of forcing his release, Mr. Poletti, it wilt be remembered, was Janpary 8, during pichig 'a friend at the Ming Tombs. On the way they had passed through the small town of Chang-sentries of the Japanese garrison wop pingchow where he was stopped by
ey hearing he was on his way to the Tombs fold' him it was all right While the party were lunching, they were surrounded by a group of very excited Chinese who were letting off silva of the party, searched them rifles in all directions.
seized hold of all the
and took away their valuables. They refused to listen to Mr. Poletti's explanations and behaved in a most threatening manner, saying that he was one of the cursed Jepanese who were robbing their country. They then bound his arms tightly behind his back, blindfolded him, and dragged off amid a shower of blows to e hills, His companion was later on sent back.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.