Evening star., 1942-09-04
Educator Held by laps
For 6 Weeks Echoes
Warning Of Grew
Dr.. F. A. Cox, Brother Of
D. c. Provost Marshal,
Would Crush Military

VOulu AFuSU MtllIQTy
An Episcopal minister educator,
who lost 80 pounds in weight during
| six weeks confinement in a Jap
anese dungeon in Shanghai, has re-
turned to Washington to echo former
| Ambassador Joseph c. Crews belief
that Japan's military forces, to be
defeated, must be exterminated.
The Rev. DIR. Francis A. Cox,
| chancellor of st. Johns University,
Shanghai, and brother of Brig. Gen.
| Albert l.. Cox, provost marshal of
the District of Columbia, told of his
Imprisonment and expressed con-
fidence in Americas ultimate tri-
umph in an interview last night at
his brothers home.
Unlike many other Americans
brought back to this country on the
exchange ship Gripsholm, DR.. Cox
was not subjected to slapping or
beating by japanese military police
after our entrance into the war, but
| he underwent ceaseless questioning
as to Americas military prepara-
tions, and was thrown into a dun
geon with % Chinese and Japanese
criminals.
Given Poor Food.
He said he was compelled to sleep
on the floor and given food he
couldn't eat during his confinement.
After his release he kept silent as
to his treatment until he returned
to his native land.
DR.. Cox, who had lived in China
for 81 years, returned to Shanghai
week before the Japs attacked
Pearl Harbor. On the morning of
December 8. he said, Japanese
planes showered copies of war proc
lamations against Britain and the
United States on the inhabitants of
the international Settlement. The
printed document said that property
rights would be respected and indi-
viduals would not be interfered with
as long as they conformed to regu-
lations OF the military occupying
force.
Much to our surprise" DIR. Cox
said, I'VE were allowed to 20 about
our ordinary pursuits for few
weeks. We were not mistreated.
On February "a five heavily armed
Japanese military policemen in ci-
william clothes came to my home,
ordered me to dress, watched my
every movement and took me to
headquarters for questioning"
When he arrived at japanese mil
itary headquarters, DIR. Cox said,
he recognized several friends. They
were warned not to talk to one an
| other. After delay of two hours
the Japanese lined up those de-
tanned in groups of five, took them
into another room, made them strip
completely and examined their
| clothing and contents carefully.
You are now going to JAIL" the
prisoners were informed.
Herded Into Cell.
DR.. Cox said they were herded into
cell in the basement, about the
size of large room. There were
about 80 persons in the group, he
said.
Il was thrust into a cell with Jap
anese and Chinese criminals" DR..
Cox said. THE next day they gave
us bowl of cold rice, which was
dirty and wormy. I couldn't eat it
and after few days of that, the
Japanese decided it wouldn't be
smart for them to let me starve to
death, SO they started giving me
bread with sugar on it. / slept on
the floor, wedged between other in
| ternees."
Denied communication with the
outside world, DIR. Cox said he was
summoned before Japanese court
OF inquiry after 10 days' imprison-
+ ment.
They questioned me every day,
warning that if 1 told a lie they
would punish me-" DR.. Cox stated.
They did not know I was a brother
of Gen. Cox. I simply told them he
was lawyer in Washington. They
got no information from me. Finally
/ was released on April l.. They
gave me back the money they had
| taken when l was taken into Gus
/ tody."
DR.. Cox was graduated from the
University of North Carolina in
1905, and then received law degree
from the University of Virginia.
After attending Virginia Episcopal
Seminary at Alexandria, Va, he
went to China in 1921 as an Epis-
| copal missionary. Before entering
the ministry he practiced law with
Gen. Cox in Raleigh, N. C. This
spring the Virginia Episcopal Semi
nary conferred the honorary degree
of doctor of divinity on the Rev.
Mr.. Cox.
Il have to pinch myself to know
I am back in the land of freedom, y
DR. Cox said. Il know the United
Nations will triumph They are
fighting, against Goddess enemies, to
preserve the teachings of religion
and decency. My faith sustained me
during my trying moments, when
men about me we're threatening tc
commit suicide"