Evening star., 1939-02-25
Z u. ). Nationals
In Path Of Japan S
lushan Offensive
IS Foreigners Stoy at
Mountoin-Top Resort
Of Ruling
Nv the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, Feb. 25.-Today was
the deadline for a Japanese assault
on Lushan. mountain fsstness of
stubborn Chinese forces defending
Kiangsi province and refuge of SIS
foreigners who could not or would
not leave.
In view of tense preparations at
Kiukiang, Is miles north of the
mountain-top resort of Kuling, mill
tary observers believed any attack
on the Chinese-defended peak would
be merely the prelude to resumption
OF the japanese offensive toward
Nanchang, Kiangsi provincial capi-
tai.
Twelve Americans Remain.
There were II Americans among
the IS persons whose infirmities or
other reasons, including determi-
nation to continue relief work at
Kuling. caused them to remain be-
hind Wednesday when 48 other for
eigners were escorted to safety
through Chinese and Japanese lines.
Thirty-nine OF the delivered group
will arrive here Monday on the Jap
anese transport Omi Maru. The
others remained at the river port,
klukiang, or went upriver to
Hankow.
Foreigners reaching HankoW from
Kuling and Kiukiang said japanese
planes. flying over the mountain
town. dropped messages saying that
a conference of Japanese military
and third power authorities" had
decided that the remaining for
eigners were regarded as Chinese.
Disclaim Responsibility.
The message was said to have
characterized the foreigners as sep
arated from their respective ma
tlona]ities and united with the
Chang Kai-shek regime"
Hence, it was said, Japanese au-
thorlties disclaimed any RESPONSE
bility for their lives or damage to
their property. The Kuling for
elgners, fearing aerial bombardment,
have painted protective lines around
their places of refuge.
Third power officials in Shanghai
reiterated that they had warned
that Japan would be held responsible
Tor any injury to their nationals at
kuling.
Artillery Studs Mountain.
Foreigners who came down the
preclpltous trail from Kuling said
the sides of Lushan were studded
with heavy artillery. They said the
Chinese in authority on the noun
tain were very considerate. even pro-
Vldlng coolie-carried chairs for the
descent.
Despite the japanese assertion
that there were large numbers of
Chinese soldiers in Kuling. the ref
ugees said there were only enough
for policing the town. Most of the
Chinese forces were said to be de-
ployed around the sides of the peak.
The missionaries reported many
obstacles to securing food and sup
plies. They said they were denied
banking facilities.
A belated report from Ichang, 972
miles up the Yangtze from Shang-
hal, told today of a japanese air raid
on Tuesday in which there were 600
casualties. Thirty-five bombs were
dropped on the business area. A
hundred houses and shops were de-
stroyed
China Saves Motor Fuel.
To save gasoline and oil for the
war machines of China, the Central
Chinese government is planning to
use hundreds of horse, mule and
donkey drawn carts to haul supplies
over the new Burma -Yunnan high
way.
Rubber-tired carts to be used for
this work win have 1-ton capacities.
The cart caravans, bearing NUM-
tions and other supplies are expected
to require about month to travel
the 2,l00 miles from Rangoon to
Running.