Hopes for Release of Father Burns Now Faint Peiping, May 4.
'The immediate release of Father Joseph Burns, Maryknoll missionary' captured by bandits in south-cast Manchuria on February 5, is well-nigh Impossible, according to the Lumen agency.
Father Burns is being held prisoner in an impregnable fortress on a mountain peak south-east of Tunghua, near which town he was captured by the outlaws. The only approach to the fortress is over steep paths made difeult by melting snow, and the authorities in the neighbourhood consider a pitched battle impracticfable and very dangerous so far as] the captive is concerned.
Father John Comber. of the Mary-knoll mission at Tunghua, is quoted by the Lumen agency as expressing his belief that Father Burns is in no immediate danger of losing his "All reports sent in by spies declare that, Father Burns is being well treated and given the best there is to be had in the circumstances," declared a letter received from Father Comber. "He is living in a good house with Mr, Wu, the catechist who was captured' with iim. A bandit sentinel who saw Father Burns says he is in good health.
"These reports are not absolutely reliable, but they are the best we have and, since all indicate the same trend, they are fairly dependable. All movements are being watched and many soldiers and plain clothes men fare in the section where Father Burns is being held.
for much more can be done, must be patient. The chief of th army police is working constantly fon the case," concludes Father Comber's letter—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.