Evening star., 1945-11-15

mlreQ IN Gne mud at the lOOJ OF q
pass over a steep divide. Chinese
in the area Immediately began to
assemble around us. Through
Leith they offered to help us.
Dozens of them went to work cor
duroying the slippery rise in front
Of our convoy. They took all the
baggage out of the truck and car
Eied it up the hill. Then they
helped us and the jeeps pull and
push the bus out of the mud and we
managed to get our numbering We
hicles to the top of the grade.
When they were done I tried to give
their head man $100 in American
currency, which would have amount
ed to about 250,0O0 Chinese dollars
at the then current rate of exchange.
He discussed it with his men for a
time and then turned down the
money with thanks.
"We are only too happy to do this
for Americans" he said through
Leith.
It was quite touching. I stood by
the bus and. spoke to these simple,
generous men, and told them that
the President of the United States
would feel just as grateful for what
they had done as we now felt. They
liked that so much that they cheered
as I got In the bus and we pulled
away.
Our lead bus got stuck so badly
just before dark that nothing could
pull 1t out, but fortunately we were
close to a narrow-gauge railroad.
From nearby Chinese we learned
that this tiny railroad connected
with the main railroad to Mukden
in about 20 miles. We therefore de-
cided that we would wait until
train came along and attempt to
flag it..
Flag Down Train.
We had hardly reached this de-
cision when little engine pulled
two or three cars into our view. I
got out on the tracks and held out
my arms and, fortunately, the en-
gineer stopped. The crew was Jap
anese. We found a Russian soldier
who understood both English and
Japanese and through him we
told the train crew that we wanted
to ride as far as the main line. The
Japs talked it over for a moment,
then answered the Russian soldier
interpreter.
They say no." he told us.
~ hn al
He nodded to three of his fiercest
looking men, who came up to the
Japs with tommy guns bristling
Then the colonel shouted for several
minutes at the Japs, ordering them
to clear out a car for us.
The Japs mumbled something.
They say yes" the Russian soldier
interpreter grinned.
We piled in with our baggage and
one of the Sian drivers who would
be paid at Mukden and of we
started, waving good-by to our Rus
sian friends. We were on our way
at last.
We went 100 yards toward Mukden
and then the engine jumped the
track. The Russian colonel saw the
accident and drove up to us. After
inspecting the damage he said he
would drive down to the main line,
20 miles away, and attempt to send
an engine and car back to us.
Spend Night in Car.
So we spent the night, and a mis-
cradle one it was, in the little car.
But at dawn the colonel made good.
A tiny engine and car came down
the tracks at us. stopped few yards
in front of the untracked engine and
we transferred our baggage and our
selves. The colonel accompanied us
to the main line. which we reached
at 1890 am.
The next train to Mukden was
not due until S pm, so the Russian
colonel invited us to lunch in the
curious hotel built right over the
railroad stations platform. Every
one, including 1t. Marui, our erst-
while keeper. was asked. When we
we're assembled, the colonel began
rapping for something. Through
Leith he made it known that he
wanted something alcoholic with
which to propose a toast. Leith
produced 1t. Marui
Does the Japanese Army have
any wine or liquor?" the colonel de-
manded OF Marui.
Undoubtedly" Marui answered
with some pride.
"Get It'll" the colonel ordered, and
glared him out of the room.
We waited Is minutes and then
Marui came back, somewhat crest
fallen, with several bottles of Jap
beer. He started to make an apology
but the colonel waved him aside,
passed bottles to me, Gov. van Star
kenbourgh and Gen. Percival and
We drank several toasts to the con-
tinlled security of the Allies