of Vatican Vatican City, Dec. 9.
News has reached the Vatican that, the unexpected advance of Chinese Communists from Sikang and Szechuen into the southern region of Kansu has created new dimeultles for the Catholic missionaries of that re-ion. It was learned that the missionary Fathers of the Divine World were forced to follow the regular troops on their retreat to Lanchow, the capital of the province, Father Bromkamp, a missionary at Minchow, fled across the Tacho River in an attempt to reach Lanchow and Was forced to hide in the northern mountains, closely followed by a group of Communists, It 1s hoped found refuge with some Christian natives who are hiding in the caves in the mountain. Father Vogt, who was forced to flee from Taochow in view of the advance of the Chinese Reds, finally reached Lanchow after two months of hardships, Two Regiments Slaughtered The missionary Fathers also have reported to the Holy Sce that the 44th Division of the Chinese regular troops encountered a large number of the invading Red troops near Minchow and attempted to" check their advance. Two of the '31th Army Corps were surrounded by bandits "and slaughtered without mercy. These two regiments previously had defeated the same Communists at Kwangsi, Father Paul Muller and Brothers Rosenbach and Hull escaped from the Sdvancing hordes at Lungsl, the Vatican has been informed. Grave concern Is caused by the lack of news from Father Trick, stationed in the Changhien region." Tt was learned that the bandits took the region by surprise, and it is feared that none succeeded in escaping the Communists.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.