The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-21
Report by Canadian Christian Worker
Tells of Japanese Atrocities.
(Hy Associated Press)

TOXIC. Jan. 1s.--Charges that the
Japanese troops sent into the Chinese
district OF Chientao. n Manchurian COM
nunity just over the Korean border, in
discriminatory shot hundreds Of the VII
lagos without semblance of trial, burned
villages, schools. churches and crops, are
made public by Canadian missionaries
stationed in Manchuria and Korea
Replying TO these charges, Lieut.. Col
onel Hata. OF the Japanese imperial STAFF
at tho japanese war office, stated that
the Japanese soldiers had burned
churches and schools only after evidence
had been obtained that they were being
used as centers OF intrigue by Korean
nialcontents. lie said the villages de-
stroyed we're those in which the inhabi-
tants had been in league with the out
laws. He declared that the villagers
werc executed only after inquiry by the
military and civilian authorities.
The Japanese government has sent to
chientao a commission TO investigate the
conduct OF the troops. This body is head
ed by Colonel Misumachi. formerly mill
tary attache at Washington.
One OF the missionaries. DR.. S. H.
Martin, Of Newfoundland. a physician
attached to tho Canadian Presbyterian
mission at Tongjung, who visited the
village of Norabawie, on October 81, two
that district, states:
THE facts recorded below apply to the
whole district OF Kando or Chientao, I'm
the southern part OF the provinces OF
Klrin. China.
Japan. under the strongest protest
from China, has sent over 1900 men
into this part OF China with the SEEM
ing intention OF wiping out of existence,
II possible. the whole Christian commu-
nifty, especially all young men.
Village after village is daily being
intellectually burned and the young men
shot. so that at present we have a ring
OF villages surrounding this city that
have suffered from fire or wholesale
murder or both. The facts below are alb
solutely accurate:
AT daybreak a complete Gordon OF
japanese infantry surrounded the main
Christian village OF Norabawie and,
starting from the top OF the valley, set
ire 20 the immense stacks of unthreshed
millet, barey and straw and then or
dered the occupants of the house out
side. In each case as the father or son
stepped forth. he was shot on sight. and
as he fell on his face, perhaps only half
dead, great piles OF burning straw We're
thrown on top OF him.
II was shown the blood marks on the
ground caused by the hayonet thrusts
inflicted on the men as they stroya TO
rise from the flames. I'm spite OF the
fact that they had been shot three times
at close range. The bodies were soon
charred beyond recognition. The moth
ers. wives and even the children were
forced spectators OF this treatment OF all
tho grown males CT the village. Houses
were fired and soon the whole country
was fun OF smoke. which was plainly
visible from this town. The japanese
soldiers then spread out and burned the
houses OF Christian believers in other
villages all the way down the valley to
the main road. Then they returned home
TO celebrate the emperor's birthday.
las we approached the nearby VII
lagos we found only women and chill
dren and some white-haired men. The