RESCUED FROM CHINESE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 December 1927, Page 5

RESCUED FROM CHINESE.

PRIESTS AND NUNS. RUGBY, Thursday. The British warship Seraph has rescued from Swabuc, near Swatow, a party of three Roman Catholic priests and seven nuns who were being held prisoners by Communists. One of the priests, Father Wong, who was a Chinese but a British subject, born in Hong Kong, was under sentence of death and awaiting execution. They had been charged by the Communists with preaching Christianity. A. Chinese convert from Swaguc arrived at Hong Kong on December 26 and reported to Bishop Valtorta the plight of the missionaries. The bishop reported to Admiral Tyrwhitt, Com-maiuler-in-Chief of the China station, who ordered the destroyer Seraph to the rescue. The Seraph, which carried on board Bishop Valtorta, arrived at Swabuc at dawn yesterday, and the rescue party, led by Commander Wilmot Sitwell, put off in a motor boat and a whaler. A letter from the bishop was despatched to the Chief of Police. A reply was received that since Father Wong was a Chinese, he must be dealt with under Chinese law. A second note was then delivered to the Chinese demanding specially the surrender of Father Wong as a British subject. Later a written reply arrived saying that since Father Wong was a British subject, he would.be handed over. — (British Official Wireless). _ SUFFERED INDIGNITIES. HONG KONG, Thursday. The released priests and sisters say that they suffered great indignities, and several times were threatened with execution.