WARSHIP TO RESCUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 239, 29 December 1927, Page 9

WARSHIP TO RESCUE

PRIESTS AND SISTERS HELD CAPTIVE BIAS BAY PIRATES By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 10.14 a.m. HONG KONG, Wed. When it became known that three priests and seven sisters were held captive in the vicinity of Bias Bay, the British warship Seraph proceeded to the scene. A landing party under a white flag requested the release of the captives. After lengthy negotiations this was effected. The priests and sisters say they suffered great indignities, and were several times threatened with execution.—Sun. CAPTIVES OF COMMUNISTS By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 11.55 a.m. RUGBY, Wed. The British warship Seraph has rescued from Swabue, 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 is Chinese, but is a British subject, born in Hongkong, was under sentence of death, and was awaiting execution. They had been charged by the Communists with preaching Christianity. A Chinese convert, from Swabue arrived at Hongkong on December 2C, and reported to Bishop Valtorta the plight of the missionaries. The bishop reported to Admiral Tyrwhitt, commander in chief of the China station, who ordered the destroyer Seraph to the rescue. UNDER CHINESE LAW The Seraph, which carried on board Bishop Valtorta, arrived at Swabue at dawn yesterday, and a rescue party led by Commander Wilmot Sitwell put off in a motor-boat and whaler. A letter from the bishop was despatched to the chief pf 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 surren der of Father Wong as a British subject. A written reply arrived later, saying that since Father Wong was a British subject he would be handed over. —A. and N.Z.