DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 31 July 1930, Page 9

DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

LAtE EDITION

SACKING OF CHANGSHA "/ COMMUNISTS’ ORGY THOUSANDS KILLED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegrapo Copyriaht.) Received 12.45 p.m. to-day. SHANGHAI, July 30. A terrible story of death and destruction is told in the last despatches from Changsha, which followed the capture of the city by the Comtmunists’ army, which since Monday morning has been looting, burning and killing and generally has reduced the place to ruin.. All Government buildings and practically all foreign mission property have been burned to the ground, while .shops and business premises have been destroyed. Ib-ovincial officials were brutally beheaded and thousands of the city s population are fleeing for their lites. The citv was still in flames on tin? night of July 29 and the killed were estimated at thousands. The Communist commander directed the systematic pillage. A section of the army was detached in pursuit oi Hocluen s .defeated troops. JL-It is believed that all foreigners are safe, except three missionaries who declined the protection of foreign gunboats. . .