The most serious looting Nanking since the Second Revolution, and the most damaging fire in many years occurred suddenly and without warning last night. At 9.45, pam, shots were heard from the direction of South City. A band of less than 100 soldiers from the 12th Company of the 24th Regiment, 6th Division, impatient for their pay, led their captain and broke loose from their barracks in the Kiang-nintu, Making their way to San-shan Street, the wealthiest and Dusiest section of South City, they started firing into the air and foreing entrance into shops. Their chief objective was the rich watch, silk and silver stores. Some had thick iron doors which barred passage, but in two hours about 50 shops were entered and looted. The Hengtehli_ Watch shop lost $10,000 worth of goods. The Nanking Store was $1,000 in cush and several thousand dollars worth of articles.
Soon after 10 o'clock, the looters with straw and.oil started fires, and the flames quickly spread. Altogether, about 100 shops and homes on San-shan Street and the side street (Lutai-sz) which leads toward the Central Post Office, were destroyed, mostly well-built and prosperous places of business. One Japanese shop was fired and another Tooted, The total damage is estimated at over a: half million. Telephone service in South City is interrupted.
The few police on duty could not cope with the situation, and an extra force did not appear until midnight, Finally, the police together with the Local Defence Association (Pao-an hui) rounded up about 20 of the guilty soldiers and took them into custody. Two fire engines appeared after midnight and, with local help, stopped the fire, To-day, all important shops in the South City are closed and the people apprehensive of further trouble. Governor Han and the local military authorities deal severely with the Jootors in this case and take extra precautions hereafter, confidence may be restored. At present, business is most seriously affected and the populace restless and fearful.
Jan. 1.
Damage to the extent of half a million dollars was done, Business is much affected and the city is apprehensive of further disturb.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.