Evening star., 1942-07-26


soldiers were on guard over us.
The japanese imposed only the
most general rules. Otherwise we
held for II weeks, the average in
generation. The gendarmes ap-
parently overlooked me because !
had just arrived from Peiping and
their lists omitted me.
Robertson is still wondering how
they missed him.
Loses IS Pounds.
The gravest case Is that OF J. B.
Powell, editor OF the China Weekly
Review. who was seized in his hotel
room December 20 and released
shortly before the Americans were
put aboard ship to leave Shanghai
Powell, normally 160-pounder
now weighs around IS pounds.
He lost all but the heels of both
feet as result of beriberi and
gangrene, which set in during cold
solitary confinement. inadequate
food and lack of medical care until
recently.
The Japanese summoned ar
American doctor when they realized
Powell's life was endangered. He
is now making slow but steady prog
ress aboard the liner Gripsholm.
At Peiping the Japanese arrested
and still hold John Leighton Stuart
66, president of Yenching Univer-
sity, and DR.. Henry Houghtop Trev-
or Bowen and DR.. Isadore Snapper
Of Peiping Union Medical College
after abolishing these institutions
At Tientsin and Tsingtao several
Americans were detained, then re-
leased and repatriated.
The associations ofncials are urg-
ing complete evacuation of all the
remaining Americans as soon as pos
sible, foreseeing that conditions will
grow worse.
Must Wear Armbanks.
Allied nationals at Peiping and
Tientsin already must wear arm
bands to denote their nationality
At the time we left such armbands
were being prepared for all foreign
ers at Shanghai.
These enable the japanese to dis
tinguish Americans from Germans
and Italians.
With the departure of Americans
on the first repatriation ships it is
expected that the activities of the
Japanese gendarmes will increase
pressure. on the entire community
Already they have taken over halt
OF tha American schools, and thes
want the rest, for a bigger and bet
ter headquarters and prison.
AS most American businesses have
been confiscated and liquidated,
more Americans will need relief. 1t
is expected Allied banks will be
closed permanently soon, ending
the dribble of money they are per-
mitted to pay out depositors. It is
feared the American Loan Com
mittee will be forced to close 6
be curtailed in its activities by the
Japanese. This would throw the
community entirely on Japanese
mercy.
Living Costs Soar.
Shanghai living costs have rock
eted alarmingly. Gas costs six times
and electricity four times what they
did few months ago. The Japa-
nese have outlawed the legal Chi
nese currency and have confiscated
half the bank balances of Shaighai
and substituted Wang Ching Weis
Central Reserve Banks fiat cur
rency.
The railway alone brings coal to
Shanghai and this is insufficient to
meet summer demands alone for
gas and electricity. The city of
5000, 900 population faces the win
ter with practically no means OF
heat possible and nothing with
which to cook.
| Medical stocks are controlled b,
| the Japanese. Trade and industr,
have been badly hit, shipping
paralyzed end unemployment wide.
spread. =
At Woos'ng, near Shanghai, the
japanese Army has a concentration
camp where $500 American wal
prisoners ave held incommunicade
despite the persistent efforts o.
Swiss International Red Cros.
officias. The prisoners include 2O(
Peiping aid Tientsin Marines anc
/ 400 Marines and 700 civilians from
Wake Island.
There are also $50 merchant sea
men and Sc American and British
sailors from the gunboats Wake
and Petrol captured at Shanghai.
individuals Friendly.
Aside from the gendarmes anc
other official japanese who brought
pressure on Americans in Shanghai
the individual Japanese reaction tt
what Is happening there has beer
mild. Where personal relationship.
with Americans are concerned
japanese individuals almost with.
out exception are seemingly a,
lrlendiy a2 before the war. In man,
cases they are even more so.
frequently this attitude professe!
to be an apology for what is takine
place and many Americans are gain
ing the impression that these Japa
nese already are thinking about
who will win the war and what viii
happen then.
One American business man wa.
given farewell gift of chocolates
and whisky by japanese super.
visor who had just conflscated the
Americans entire business.
Although the returning Americans
have been always completely con.
fident Of eventual Allied victory
they almost unanimously believe
Il lies at the end 0f 4 LONG haft