MISSIONARIES RESCUED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 9

MISSIONARIES RESCUED.

HELD CAPTIVE IN CHINA.

COMMUNIST OUTRAGE.

SAVED BY BRITISH WARSHIP. By Tehgriph—Press Association—Copyright. (British Official Wireless.) A. and N.Z. RUGBY, Dec. 28. Tlio British warship Seraph has rescued from Swabue, near Swatow, a party of three Roman Catholic priests and seven nuns who were being held prisoners by Communists. One of the priests, Father Wong, who was Chinese, but a British subject born in Hongkong, was under sentence of death and was awaiting execution. They had been charged by the Communists with preaching Christianity. A Chinese convert from Swabue arrived at Hongkong on December 26 and reported to Bishop Valtorta the plight of the missionaries. The bishop reported the matter to Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt, Commander-in-Chief on the China station, who ordered the destroyer Seraph to go to the rescue. The Seraph, which carried on board Bishop Valtorta, arrived at Swabue at dawn yesterday, and a rescue party, led by Commander Wilmot Sitwell, put off under a white flag in a motor-boat and a whaler. A letter from the bishop was despatched to the chief of police. A reply was received that since Father Wong was Chinese he must be dealt with un'der Chinese law. A second note was then delivered to the Chinese, demanding specially the surrender of Father Wong, he being a British subject. , A written reply arrived later, saying that since Father Wong was a British subject he would be handed over. The sisters say they suffered great indignities and several times were threatened with execution.