Evening star., 1946-11-17
Women and Children
Rushed From Yenan
As Reds Plan Defense
BY John Roderick
A.soeio'.d Pres, Foreign Correspondent.


YENAN, Nov. IA (Delayed) -
Chinese Communists rushed their
women and children to the hills
today and vowed to defend this
headquarters city TO the death
against government onslaught
(which they predicted in 10 to IA
days.
AS I arrived from Peiping aboard
an American Army transport plane,
air raid sirens walled a warning
against a government P-38 Lightn-
ing reconnaissance craft. which
methodically scircled high overhead
tThe Yenan radio, which
transmitted this dispatch for MI.
Roderick, said his trip from the
alrfleld to the city was DELAYED
more than two hours by alarms
caused by government obserya-
tion planes)
Government authorities in Nank-
ing have repeatedly denied plans to
assault Yenan, but a Communist
spokesman said Generalissimo
Chang Kai-shek's armies were
masSing in great strength for an
imminent four-way attack which
will mark crisis in the civil war.
This spokesman, Yang Shan-kun,
general secretary of the 9th Route
Army, said 100000 to 10000 of the
best government troops were mov-
ing into position go to 100 miles
from Tenan.
Three Armies Cross River.
The 1st, 9th and Goth armies
under Gen. HUI Tsung-nan already
have crossed the Yellow River from
Shansi in Shensi province with their
vanguard at Ichwan, Ct miles
southeast of Yenan, he said.
Another government force is at
Lochwan, go miles south of Yenan,
and another is being flown to the
Yulin area. ITO miles north, of Ye-
nan, the spokesman said.
Still another government concen-
tration is being formed for an at
tack from the west, and government
reserves from Szechwan province
are moving up to Sian, 200 miles
south of Yenan and apparently the
major base of the campaign, Yang
declared.
Yang asserted that the govern
ment was rebuilding the long -aban-
doned Sian-Yenan highway and
that all roads in government areas
were jammed with traffic, carrying
food and munitions for a major
offensive.
Yenan hustled with defense prep
arations. All males big enough to
use weapons were modified and
held mass meeting.
Taken to Secret Hideouts.
Women, children, hospital patients.
and household goods were being
taken to undisclosed hideouts in the
hills. They Streamed out afoot, on
litters and on carts drawn by hu-
mans, mules and camels.
The hospital, housed in a. honey
comb of 100 caves, was completely
evacuated, and nurses said they ex-
pected to travel a long distance de-
spite bitterly cold weather.
Ironically, the American plane
which brought me here also deliv-
cred four guinea pigs for the hos
pital laboratory. DR.. George Hatem
of Roanoke Rapids, N. c., who has
been here 10 years, had long sought
them for experiments in obscure
diseases, but said today he did not
know who had sent them.
I became the 18th foreigner here,
including members of an AmericanI
military mission. I first came here
one year ago and stayed five months
in an environment that was short
Of physical conveniences but asl
placid and restful as any in China.
Today all was tense with mount
Ing war preparation. Hair-trigger
nerves and constant vigilance have
replaced the old air of security.
Here fearful wife clung to her
soldier husband in reluctant fare
we'll; there group of kindergarten
children walled or shouted as they
started the evacuation.
Raid Sirens Sounded.
Bright-colored fruits and vege-
tables lay heaped in the market
place in contrast with the desolate
ruins-unrepaired since the Japa-
nese bombing of 1938-through
which Chinese hurried on urgent
errands.
Air raid sirens shrilled repeatedly
In practice drills, sending everyone
to cover. Each time the American
observer group spread its large stars
and stripes on the ground.
Despite all these preparations in
Yenan, Gen. Chou En-lai, chief ,
Communist peace negotiator, said in
farewell press conference at Nam
king that he was leaving behind
liaison mission of about 40 persons,
indicating some thin hopes of re-
Suming discussions. He said they
would be withdrawn only if Yenan
were attacked but that he himself
was leaving Marking in two or three
days and would not return.
Gen. Chou gave the same account |
of government attack plans as did
the Yenan spokesman, but added a
prediction that the government |
would suffer so per cent casualties
If it assaulted Yenan.
Government quarters, continuing
to deny any such attack was con-
templated, reported the Communists
had made new raids on the Peiping-
Tientsin, Peiping -Hankow and Pei
ping -Mukden railways and were on
the offensive in Shantung Province.
g. HowIond Shaw Heads