FIENDISH CRIME

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1930, Page 9

FIENDISH CRIME

TWO WOMEN MURDERED • u ’ -

CHINESE COMMUNISTS’ WORh

ENGLISHWOMEN’S TRAGEDY

HELD FOR HEAVY RANSOM

TORTURE OF SHOCKING KIND ’ By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 5.5 p.m. Shanghai, Oct. 11. The tragic story of the atrocious murder of two English women missionaries by Communists near 1 . Kienningfu, Northern Fukien, is available following the return of the British Consul, Mr. Martin, who sought to effect a rescue by the payment’ of ransom., i It was first reported that the women were shot because the ransom was not paid, but it is now shown that both were clumsily and brutally beheaded after subjection to • diabolical indignities and frightful bodily and mental torture. The women were for three months captives in. the hands of Communists of a most fiend- ■ ish type. On one occasion, the international Labour Day, they were compelled to sit chained to chairs for four hours bareheaded in the blistering sun during the mock trial of four anti-Communists, ... v following which the four men’s heads were hacked off within a few feet of the women, who were informed a similar fate awaited them if the ransom was not paid. A missionary “go-between” offered 50,000 dollars ransom but . this was rejected and 100,000 dollars ransom was demanded. Government troops made no definite effort to attack the Communists, who boast that they can do as they like with foreigners. Foreigners throughout China are bitterly condemning the Government’s ineptitude. . Nanking-authorities are seriously alarm-* ed at the recrudescence of Communism, at their own back door. Nanchang is ij J ' ■' like jeopardy near Hankow.