RED REVERSE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 4 October 1926, Page 9

RED REVERSE

TENSION SLACKENS.

AFFAIRS IN CHINA

DEFENCE OF WUCHANG

BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received 11.10 a.m. to-day. PEKING, Oct. 3. As a result of the Red reverse, foreign agitation in the Ya,ngt.se valley has slackened. Numbers of foreigners are ipreparing to return up the river. Tension in. the missionary circles has '.relaxed, except regarding stations in the line of the Red retreat. The earlier 'report of the detention of Missionaries in the city of Sianfu. in the Stpensi province, is confirmed. Telegraphic appeals for assistance have been received in Peking, istating that the situation is critical. Americans are preparing to evacuate and other foreigners have been detained. The military has been requested by the Peking legations to provide facilities for the withdrawal. Wuchang defenders are being urged by General Sun Gbuang Fang to- hold to the death, relief being promised. Rled dross launches crossing from Hankow to the resorre of women and children were forced to return.. Columns of smoke arising from the city walls suggest that there is trouble within, •possibly a revolt of the populace against military, which has commtndered all food.

OAiPTURED BY BANDITS. PLIGHT OF TWO' WOMEN MISSIONARIES. Received 12.45 p.m. to-day. PEKING, Opt. 3, Without money, clothes, or bedding, is the plight of two lady missionaries, Mrs. Freeman Davies and Miss E. Poppins, who are sheltering in the .partially destroyed home of a, Chinese Christian doctor. According to an authentic report received by the China Inland Mission, at Shanghai. the ladies were left behind when the bandits descended on Ghorkiskow, in Honan province who recently looted, burnt and massacred Chinese, inhabitants, taking Mr. Freeman Davies captive. A message written on a scran of paper gives details of the terrible experiences the two ladies underwent for five days and nights while in the hands of the bandits before their release. They returned to find their home burnt and everything gone.