REIGN OF TERROR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20629, 30 July 1930, Page 11

REIGN OF TERROR.

COMMUNISTS IN CHINA. WELL-EQUIPPED ARMY. TWO PROVINCES MENACED. EXCESSES AT CHANGSHA. By Telegraph—Press Association — Copyright. (Received July 29, 11.15 p.m.) SHANGIIAI. ; July 23. The Communist menace developed to an alarming extent in the Kiangsi and Hunan provinces in (lie last few days. Vagrant bands have, suddenly coalesced and formed a well-disciplined, well-equipped arrny of 10,000 men. T his force is reported to have captured Nanchang, the capital of Kiangsi, and to have advanced to within 15 miles of Iviukiang, a holiday resort for foreigners. British, American and Japanese gunboats are helping in evacuating nationals from Changshn, 25 miles awav, at which point the Nationalist Government's troops severely defeated the Communists. A message, from Hongkong says a wireless report received there states that the Communists are actually in possession of Changsha and have burned and wrecked all the Government offices, and foreign missions. Foreigners have been taken on board gunboats. Another report says a reign of terror and wholesale slaughter prevails at Changsha. The situation is most disquieting.

OPPOSING FACTIONS. CIVIL WAR CONTINUES. AN ASSASSINATION PLOT, PEKING. July 02. The storm centre of the Chineso civil war has now shifted to Shantung, where the President, Chiang Kai-shek, having failed to make headway against Feng Yuhsiang in Ilonari, is pushing his forces up (he Ticntsin-Pukow railway, apparently with (he intention of recapturing TsTnan from the Sfiansi army. Northern reinforcements arc being rushed down thp lailway, and Ten Hsishan has left for Tsinan to take personal command of operations. Meanwhile the Kuominchun is showing signs of increased activity in South llOnan, and renewed efforts are being made by Iho Shansi forces to dislodge the southern general Han Fu-chu from his position astride the railway between Tsinan and Tsing-tao. There is much excitement in political circles in Peking over the impending arrival of Wang Ching-v.ri, (he leader of the Kuomintaug Left Wing, whom many regard as the logical successor of Sun Vat Sen. Japanese report says Nanking agents are planning to assassinate Wang the moment lie lands, failing which they intend to bomb the train by which ho will travel to Peking. MISSIONARIES IN PERIL. EFFORT TO RESCUE WOMEN. PEKING. July 20. The British and American Consuls at Fo.xhow have advised their legations ot their intention to piocced 100 miles up the Min liiver by launch on a joint expedition to rescue, missionaries who are cut off from the coast by the rebel army which is menacing Foochow. A promise of safe conduct through the lighting lines has been given by both sides. The rescue party will endeavour to establish contact with two British missionaries, Missi>s Nettleton and Harrison, of the Church Missionary Society, who wcr.» captured by Communist bandits sonic weeks ago. Miss Harrison was forced by her captors to write a letter demanding that a ransom of £IO.OOO be paid to " the District Soviet Governmentfailing which both would be shot.