393.1111 Kreutzin, Mathias/17: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—10:40 a.m.]
67. My 65 [66], November 15, 1 p.m.14 Ransom has been reduced to $6,000 Mexican, $60 to be paid immediately for subsistence for Father Kreutzin. Sixty dollars sent by messenger. Three hundred soldiers were sent from Tayeh to Tawangtien, but on arrival there found town deserted and Father Kreutzin removed elsewhere. Catholic Fathers here feel confident he will be released in a few days. Letter received by them yesterday from bandit chief states Father Kreutzin well and that he will be delivered over unharmed on payment of reduced ransom. A Father from Wuchang has gone to Tayeh authorized to pay a maximum of $1,500 not as ransom but expense money to effect release. I am pressing Chinese authorities daily on case and they are lending cooperation. Legation informed.15
- Not printed.↩
- In telegram No. 72, November 30, the Consul General at Hankow reported to the Department that “Mission authorities state bandits have agreed to release Father Kreutzin for $3,000. Money will be sent by messenger from Tayeh at once” (393.1111 Kreutzin, Mathias/37). The release and safe arrival at Tayeh of Father Kreutzin was reported in telegram No. 73, December 2 (393.1111 Kreutzin, Mathias/38).↩