The reported destruction of Soochow by bombing from the air will deeply distress those who know the reputation of that city as one of China's most famous resorts for artist and tourist alike. In olden times the culture of Soochow was considered to set the pace even for the growing city of Shanghai with its pocts and philosophers. Throughout the world the bridge at Soochow has been one of the most characteristic subjee's for the photographer and artist to record. As a walled city it would be a specially easy target for the bombing plane. Until further details of the attack are available it is mot possible to judge how far it affected the military headquarters which the Chinese forces were maintaining there. The statement that over 700 bombs: were dropped in the space of thirty hours conjures up a terrible picture. It is reinforced by the assertion that the city is in ruins. It will be greatly hoped that the inhabitants, having become used to the visitation of bombing from the air, will have been able to take some form of shelter but the absence "f telegraphic communication prevents precise speculation on that point. The intensification of the campaign which has been developed from this area suggests that the Chinese forces will shortly be defending Nanking itself. A critical point in the war is thus being reached and sympathies with the desperately engaged defenders will accordingly be enhanced. If indeed Soochow has suffered as heavily as the messages suggest those sympathies will extend far beyond the confines of China, IN PARENTHE, You're Telling Us Some of the games played by children in rural England are more than 1,000 years old, states a contemporary.
Is zat so? We thought the game of hide-and-seek was invented only yesterday.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.