A Into message published yesterday recorded the release of Mr. and Mfrs. J. W. Porteous who with Miss Gemmell were captured by communist-bandits on March 23. Miss Gemmell was released by her captors and arrived at Hankow on April 16, but the two veteran missionaries—Mr. Porteous came to' China in 1904 and his wife ten years carlier—were retained _to endure the rigours of captivity under most trying climatic condi tions until their sudden release at the end of last month. The circumstances which led to this satisfactory end of their sufferings have yet to be ascertained, for it comes istinet surprise after the failure of the negotiations in the early part of June for their release. For the moment it is suffi. cient to express profound relief at) their return to freedom—relief which is all the greater as, in spite of the appalling description given' of their experiences, they are announced to be in good health. After; this ordeal of over three months, the fact that such an announcement can be made is a vivid testi-many to the courageous couple's) fortitude and faith in their calling.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.