MISSIONARY PERILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 7

MISSIONARY PERILS.

CONDITIONS IN CHINA. 41 SWARMING WITH BANDITS." CANADIAN MISSIONER ■WOUNDED. (By CabHe.—Press Association.—Copyright.) iRpL-eived 12.30 p.m). SHANGHAI, December 20. The perils of missionaries in the interior are increasing. The Szechuan province is over-run with bandits and mercenary armies, and there is continual warfare between the different armies. Reports state that Luchow territory is swarming with bandits in the guise of military, who are subjecting the inhabitants to unparalleled oppression, and persecuting all Christians. The two rival factious are striving for control of the province, and as a result the lives of missionaries are imperilled. The soldiers are running amok, looting homes, ravishing women, and levying taxes at the gun-point. A pitched battle between the rival forces at Luchow resulted in extensive killing. Two missionaries, a Canadian and an Australian, were trapped between the firing. As a result the Canadian was seriously wounded, and was dragged to the safety of a mission home by the Australian, Mr. X. J. Amos. The mission building was rained with fire for several hours. Others attempting to leave the city •were driven back by gunfire. Help has been promised. EIGHTH FLOTILLA. PREPARING FOR SERVICE. (Received 1 p.m.) LOXDOX, December 20. The eighth destroyer flotilla is preparing for foreign service. It is believed to be going to China early in the Xew Year. A message from Malta states that the fourth destroyer flotilla will not accompany the light cruiser Caradoc to China. If the flotilla goes it will sail in February, probably relieving the third flotilla. REDS HOLD NANKING. REINFORCED BY RUSSIANS. (Received 12.30 p.m). SHAXGHAI, December 20. Xews has been received from a reliable source that, contrary to recent Xorthern statements, Shantung forces in large numbers, with a stiffening of Russian troops, have crossed the Yang-tsze and occupied Xankinir-