FROM BAD TO WORSE

Wairarapa Age, 7 October 1926, Page 2

FROM BAD TO WORSE

POSITION IN CHINA. FIGHTING NEAR HANKOW. MISSIONARIES APPEAL FOR AID. PEKIN, October 5. The situation in China appears to be growing worse. The Red Army which captured Hankow is now standing at bay against attacks from opponents, and in the chaos of war bandits are looting and burning and capturing missionaries, who are appealing for help. Wuchang holds out at the last extremity. Nanchang, which was recently retaken from the Reds, is reported to have been looted and pillaged by tho anti-Reds, -who were not restrained by their commanders. The casualties are estimated at thousands. A telegraphicappeal from the Methodist Mission describes the awful conditions, and asks for volunteers to assist in caring for the wounded. Tho foreigners reported to be stationed in the Methodist Mission, Rev. J. Johnson and his wife and Dr. Libby,, are all declared to be safe. Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues between Hankow and Nanchang. The Red troops have been withdrawn to Hankow from the territory northwards, and are concentrating on the Eastern front to meet Sun Chuan Fang’s drive. The Reds are at a disadvantage, lacking artillery. FOREIGNERS IN PERIL. Missionary reports state that there have been several fresh lootings and captures of foreigners are reported. As a result, for the first time for many, years, missionaries are appealing for assistance to evacuate their stations. Hitherto these have remained through the worst disorders unmolested. The American military attache has left Pekin for Sianfu to arrange for the release of the imprisoned missionaries, whose position is desperate. A report from Changsha says that three American missionaries, two of whom are women,, stationed at Schenchowfu, in the Hunan Province, have been captured by bandits. The guards flcfl at the approach of the bandits. Seven other missionaries, five of whom are women, escaped. WUCHANG’S TERRIBLE PLIGHT. Reports from Wuchang show a change of attitude on the part of the defenders. Five hundred emerged in a sortie for the purpose of recapturing Pagoda Hill, a strategic position, from which the Reds had been bombarding the city. The Reds greeted the party with heavy fire and none returned. The first letters from foreigners in besieged Wuchang describe daily air raids and the infliction of great damage on property. The bombs arc dropped indiscriminately and the missions narrowly escaped on several occasions. Foreign church workers are remaining within, to the number of fifteen. All are well, receiving scattered supplies from Hankow, and are busy caring for the woundbd and sick. The natives are in a pitiable plight, and the missions are filled to overflowing with refugees and wounded. A couple of schools were burned. Famine is raging. Thousands of dead lie unburied. Food is nearly exhausted.—(A. and N.Z.)