MISSIONARIES IN CHINA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 9

MISSIONARIES IN CHINA

MURDERED EY BRIGANDS

A DREADFUL attack

BRISBANE, April 5

The murder of two Roman Catholic missionaries, Monsignor Vefsiglia, the Salcsian Bishop, and his secretary, Father Carya.rio, .by Chinese brigands in the interior of China, was. made known by. officers of the .fitejimbr Tanda, which arrived from Japan today. .

The tragedy took place in February, when Monsignor Vc.rsiglia, tiishop of Shiukwah, set out by river on his annual pastoral visit. The party, which also included three Chinese women and two boys, were attacked by a band of 14. Shots from g machine-gun and rifles forced their (fipfit in to the shore, where the oecupqiits were seized, by the. brigauds. The. bishop, and his secretary miide tin .effort to defend the girls, but they fi-ore brutally beaten with rifle, b.ivtts and bamboos, and rendered uncohi?ciqu,rf; . . , . Soldiers -found the remains ,pf .tfio bishop anti iiis ~ and the women were. S| dis,covered in flip, . .last Stage? of exhaustion. ffhe soldiers, however, could find no trace of the brigands. CAPTIVES HELD FOR itANSOM t SHANGIIAt, April 4, An offqv of 500, Chinese dollars to release Mr, and Mrs. ,[’piteous . and Miss Gemmcil,. missionaries off the .phitiu Inland Missionary Society, who were captured by brigands on March 27, is reported to have been refused. The bandits are insisting on payment of their original demand, 00,000 dol-bii-s.

The captives are reported to have fieen earned off into the. ihbuntaiH'&ua district of Tamili, in , Kiangsi province. A native friend of .the .inisfii<mnries. accompanied them, and 14 qnd’envoring to arrange for their release. . .. . .... , » ...

there is no news of tfie whereabouts of Mr. and Mbs. R* tiGlazier and Miss G.-Rugg, who were with Mr and Mrs... Portpous nt .the time of . their capture,’it is believed that they are safe, ... - , . .

The captives are believed, to be re ceiving considerate treatment.