Evening star., 1937-08-22

fleeing Americans to Manila, would
return here August 80 to take on
passengers for the United States. pro-
vided the Shanghai situation has not
become too dangerous.
Next Manila bound American liners
will be the President Pierce, August
"a, and President Lincoln, August %.
Consular officers said approximately
500 American women residents of
Shanghai had declined to leave in
spite of the urgent advice of their
authorities Many of them are en-
gagged in relief work for Chinese
refugees and wounded Chinese soldiers.
Americans Aid Police.
The American company OF the
Shanghai Volunteer Corps was as
signed to help the police OF the Inter-
national Settlement in erecting new
fortiications along Shanghais famous
Bund. throwing up block houses. sand
bag barricades and barbed-wire en-
tanglements around the settlements
boundaries
The company is composed Of local
business men. commanded by Capt
c. J. Doughty, plumbing contractor
from San Francisco
The American Cavalry troop OF the
Volunteer Corps, commanded by Capt.
N F. Altman, formerly OF Rocky
mount, Va, was relieved Of duty for
q needed rest. The troop had been on
duty several days near the North Sta
ton. which was subjected to many
heavy bombings by japanese planes.
Holding its 4-mile sector along
the south bank of Soochow Creek was
the 4th Regiment Of United States
Marines, swelled by recent reinforce
ments from Manila to about l,l50
men. Today they completed a second
line Of defense, toiling under a broil-
ing sun, cheerful and confident of
their ability to meet any emergency.
Marines Defend Settlement.
Soochow Greek divides the Japa-
nese-heid district Of the international
Settlement from the main district,
where American. British and other
Occidental interests are centered. and
If the war comes to the latter area
either through a japanese debacle or
a Chinese attack-it will have to cross
the Marine front line.
On the Marines right is one Of the
three British Army battalions guard
ing Shanghai, the Royal WEIGH Fusi-
liers, occupying portion Of the front
nearest the present fighting zone in
Hongkew. They are in danger from
stray shells and showers of anti-air-
craft fragments.
Relations between the Leathernecks
and the Welshmen sre especially
cordial, especially since both regiments
served in the memorable relief OF
Peking (now Peiping) in the Boxer
uprising of 1900.
Fires which ragged through other
sections thus far have spared the
International settlement south of
Soochow Greek and the French con-
cession, in which most Americans
live and have their businesses.
American Properties Razed.
But American properties in Pootung
and Hongkew are believed to have
been destroyed The American-owned
Shanghai Electric Power Co. plant, in
the war-torn Eastern district, thus
far has escaped damage, although
several shells have fallen nearby and
the approach Of fires today caused the
company to evacuate some of its
staff.
This plant supplies light and power
for nearly all international Shanghai.
The American volunteers on duty
along the Bund had q bloodless clash
today with armed japanese civilians,
who tried to force their way into
the British Hongkong & Shanghai
Bank Building. The volunteers dis
armed the Japanese, who explained
they wanted only to get their de-
posits in the bank. They explained
some 10000 Of their compatriots in
the Hongkew district were virtually
destitute. The japanese were turned
over to the Japanese naval landing
force.
1OcustS have been almost nroctico,,,