Evening star., 1934-01-10
SIX MISSIONARIES
MISSING IN BATTLE
Americans Caught in Zone OF
Fierce Conflict in Fukien
Province.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
FOOCHOW, China. January 10
Grave fears were held today for the
safety of six American Methodist Epis-
copal missionaries, isolated in the fight
ing zone of rebellious Fukien Province
who have not been heard from for II
days.
The missionaries, whose headquarters
are in New York. were caught in the
Min River Valley fighting area arount
the town of Kutien
Since then, communication lines have
been severed and all efforts to get IL
touch with them have been fruitless.
(Kutien is the site of a Methodist
Episcopal mission and also leper sta.
ton, but Ralph E. Diffendorfer. cor
responding secretary with the Office in
New York, said he was unable to say
who the missing six are)
Kutien is about so miles northwest
of Foochow, capital of Fukiep Province
and center of the anti-nationalist gov
ernment revolt movement.
Fighting RACES Fiercely.
Fierce fighting became centered
around that point several days age
when the Marking regulars, driving
down the Min River Valley toward Foo
chow repeatedly met strong opposition
indicative of conditions prevailing
Rev. Olin Stockwell of Bartlesville
Okla, Methodist Episcopal missionary
at Mintsing, IS miles up the Min River
was robbed twice by bandits while try
ing to reach his mission.
He sought to learn the fate of the
mission property and the Chinese con-
vertS whom he left in charge during
the fierce battling between government
troops and the rebels.
The most famous fighting unit in all
China-the 10Th Route Army. which de-
Tended Shanghai from the japanese in
1392-has turned rebel.
The 10Th is fighting fiercely in Fukien
Province against the combined forces
of Gen. Chang Kai-Shek, for whom
they battled just as fiercely two years
ago.
Originally, the 10th was a Cantonese
outfit. 1t received its name from the
fact that 1t was given a certain terri
tory or route" to defend.
Stood Brunt Of Attack.
During Japanese hostilities, 1t was
hurled into the main defense task and
stood the brunt of the Battle of Shan
ghai
Now it fights under the same lead
er, Gen. Tsai Ting-Kai-a slender,
nonchalant and youngish man, who
looks more like poet than soldier
This unusual generals hands are
slender and his fingers taper. He is
mild-mannered and soft-volced. He Is
a scholar of the Chinese classics.
Yet, with indefatiguable spirit and
strict training methods, he has made
the 18th Route Army what is generally
recognized as the best fighting unit
China ever had.
The 18th has begun pressing coolies
into service for carrying war supplies
behind the military lines.
The action caused enormous excite
ment among the Chinese population OF
Fukien, a normally peaceful province
which has witnessed nothing of the
kind in recent years.
Military developments were obscure
and it was impossible to obtain any in
dication of the trend Of fighting. with
communications all cut off.
The Chinese government was in
formed January S by the United States
legation at Peiping that the United
States looks to the Chinese govern
ment for full protection Of lives and
property of Americans in the Fukien
war area.