Why Japs Murdered

Missionaries

ON August 17, Japanese entered the Catholic Mission Station at Rua vatu, six miles west of Aola Bay, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, seized Fathers Henri Oudeengbrink and Arthur Duhamel and Sisters Sylvia, Edmee, and Odilia, and took them 17 miles to an enemy post, subjected them to an inqui sition, and tried to make them go to the United States lines with a message to the effect that the Americans could not win the fight in Guadalcanal, and should quit.

The missionaries refused, and eventu ally were allowed to return to their sta tion. Ten days later, the Japs came back, and again seized the party; but Sister Edmee was ill, and could not be moved. She escaped into the jungle and, aided by loyal natives, got away to safety.

Later, the four missionaries who were taken were found dead —having been bayoneted through the throat. There is no doubt that they were killed because they would not carry the message to the Americans at the demand of the Japs.