THE FINAL STAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17155, 4 October 1926, Page 8

THE FINAL STAND

EVACUATION OF HANKOW DECISIVE BATTLE EXPECTED ANTI-' 'REDS'' ADVANCE (Eicc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Aesii.) (Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association.' (Received October 'l. 1 p.m.) PEKIN, October 3. The "Red" evacuation of (he eon quered territory beyond Hankow in face of the advance of Smichuanfailg, (lovernor of Shanghai, indicates that Hankow is becoming the scene of tin- final stand. The "Reds'" are attacked on three fronts; on the west by Gdneral Yangsen, who is sending troops to Hankow in commandeered American and. French river boats; on the north bv_ rallied remnants of Wnpeifu's army: and on the east by Sunehnanfang, the. chief figure, who leads the largest army. The anti-" Red" objectives are the relief of Wuchang and" the re-capture of Hankow. A. decisive buttle is expected in the vicinity of Hankow. LADY MISSIONARIES SAFE BUT IN TERRIBLE PLI3HT CAPTURED BY BANDITS (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.' (Received October -f, - p.m.) pekin, Oct. ;:. Without money, clothes, or bedding is the plight of two lady missionaries, "Mrs. Freeman Davics and IVliss 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, (he ladles were left behind when the bandits descended on Chowkiakow, Honnn province, recently, and looted, burnt, and massacred ihe Chinese inhabitants, taking Mr. Freeman Davies captive. A message written on a. scrap of paper gives details of ihe terrible experiences Hie two ladies underwent. For five days and nights they were in the hands of the bandits before they were released. They returned to find their home burnt and everything gone. RELIEF PROMISED DEFENDERS OF WUCHANG HANKOW IN THE THROES (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received October -1, .'1 p.m.) PEKIN, Oct. 3. As a result of the "Red" reverses (he anti-foreign agitation in the Yangtse valley has slackened. Numbers of foreigners are preparing to return up river. The tension in missionary Circles has relaxed, except regarding stations in the line of the "Red" retreat. An earlier report of the detention of missionaries in the city of: ftianfu, in Shcnsi province, is confirmed. Telegraphic, appeals for assistance have been received at Pekin, stating that the situation is critical. Americans are preparing to evacuate. Other foreigners detained by the military have been released by the Pekin legations. To provide facilities for the withi drawal from Wuuehang, the defenders are being urged by to hold out to the death, rebel: being promised. Rod Cross launches crossing from Hankow to rescue women aud children were forced to return. Columns of smoke arising from the city walls suggest trouble within, possibly a revolt of the populace against the military commandeering all food.