STRIFE AMONG CHINESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 11

STRIFE AMONG CHINESE.

MORE FIERCE FIGHTING. MISSION STATIONS UNSAFE. HORRORS IN BESIEGED CITY. TROOPS LOOT AND PILLAGE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. A. and N.Z. PEKING. Oct. 6. Tho city of Nanchang, in the Kiangsi Province, which was recently retaken from tho Red army, is reported to have been looted and pillaged by the antiRed troops, who were not restrained by their commander. Ihe casualties aio estimated at thousands. A telegraphic appeal from the Methodistmission describes tho awful conditions in the city, and asks for volunteers to assist in caring for tho wounded. Foreigners who are reported to be stationed at the Methodist mission are the Rev. Johnson and his wife and Dr. Libby. All are safe. Missionaries Appeal for Aid. Fierce fighting is still in progress between Hankow and Nanchang. The Red troops have been withdrawn to Hankow from the north and are concentrating on tho eastern front to meet General Sun Chuan-fung's drive. Tho Reds aro at a disadvantage as they lack artillery. Missionaries' reports state that there have been several fresh cases of looting and captures of foreigners. I'or tho first time for many years the missionaries are appealing for assistance to evacuate mission stations. Previously they have remained through the worst kind of disorders and havo not been molested. An American military attache has loft Peking for Sian-fu. to arrange for tho release of missionaries imprisoned there, whoso position is desperate. Tragic Sortie from Wuchang. A report from the city of Chang-slm, in the Hunan Province, to tho west of Nanchang, says three American missionaries, two of whom are women, stationed at Shen Chow-fu, wero captured by bandits. The guards fled on tho approach of the latter. Seven other missionaries, five of whom aro women, escaped. •Reports from Wuchang state that there has been a change in tho attitudo of the defenders of tho besieged city. live hundred of them emerged in a sortie for the purpose of capturing the Pagoda Hill, a strategic position, from which the Reds have been bombarding the city. Tho Reds greeted the party with heavy fire and none returned. Terrible Conditions in City. The first letters received from foreigners in Wuchang tell of daily air raids, which are causing great damage to property. Bombs aro dropped indiscriminately. Missions havo narrowly escaped on several', occasions. Foreign church workers wifcinn the city number 15! All aro well. They are receiving scattered supplies from Hankow. They are busy caring for wounded and sick natives, who are in a pitiable plight,. The missions aro overflowing with refugees and wounded. Two schools wero burned. Famine is raging and thousands of dead are lying unburied. The food supplies are nearly exhausted.