shot, Killed Pirates Attack Cargo of Silk in Lighter; Swiss Fatally Wounded Mr. J. E. Ravetta, 55-year old Swiss resident of Shanghai, was shot and killed north of Woosung on Friday^night by river pirates who attacked a Jardine, Matheson & Ca. lighter which was in his charge. Mr. Ravetta's body was picked up by the Indo-China S. M. Ca, s. Tungwo, which arrived in port late last night.
News of the tragedy was received in the shape of wireless messages from the Tungwo, The pirate attack was at Changyingsha, not far from the Kiangyin boom, Ewo lighters being moored off the shore at that point to receive silk cargoes from the Wusih area which are ferried down in sampans, The lighters, when full, are towed down to Shanghai by steamer, Mr. Ravetta spent quite a lot of time at Changying-sha, being in charge of the loading of silk cargoes, Late Friday night pirates attacked the lighter and shot dead Mr. Ravetta, who offered them a stiff resistance judging by the black eye caused before death. His body was then thrown overboard and was recovered yesterday after daylight. It is believed that the victim was killed by a single shot, while three shots were fired in all by the attackers.
The laodah of the lighter was also wounded in the affray and was conveyed io hospital after receiving first aid from the doctor of H.M.S.
Ladybird which arrived on the scene.
The pirates fled inland abandoning their junks at the sight of the gunboat and in their hasty flight did not take any of the cargo. Mr. Ravetta's body was placed on board the Tung-we and brought to Shanghai. He is survived by a wife, now in this city.
Red Troops Defeated In Chahar Tokyo, Sept. 24.
A Manchoukuo "expeditionary force" operating against Communist troops encountered more than 100 Red soldiers near Wanga, a village south-east of Chihcheng in Chahar province, and routed them after a battle lasting several hours on September 19, according to a delayed press message received here last night from Jehol City.
The Chinese left 27 dead, the message said.—Domei.
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