§ Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement with reference to the capture by Chinese bandits of Captain Lalor, captain of the steamer "Siangtan," in Chinese waters?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINOn the 30th November, at about 10 p.m., the British steamer "Siangtan," while at anchor 16½ miles below Ichang, was attacked by 30 armed men in six sampans. Three34W members of the Chinese crew were killed and several people wounded. The master, Captain Lalor, who received a bad bullet wound in the foot, was taken prisoner by the bandits, who demanded a ransom of 60,000 dollars for his release, threatening to kill him if the terms were not accepted or if offensive action was taken against them. General Yang Sen at Ichang collected a sum of money to pay the ransom, and Captain Lalor was ultimately released at 9 p.m. on the 13th December. I have no information as to the exact amount of the ransom that was ultimately paid. The Rear-Admiral, Yangtse, who was in charge of the measures for Captain Lalor's release, reports that it was effected through the agency of the Reverend Forbes Tocher, whose fearless determination and perseverance under the most difficult conditions were beyond praise. He was loyally supported by two Chinese.