Nanchang, Sept, 10.
TOTAL of 68 British, 40 American and 39 other foreigners, mainly German, Swedish, Lithuanian and Russian nationals, are now completely cut off in Kuling, the famous Chinese holiday resort on the top of the mountain, 3,000 feet above sea-level, situated between Kiukiang and Nanchang.
Until recently, there was only one path of exit available, along a goat track down the mountain side, but the point where this reaches the foot of the mountain is now the centre of hostilities in the Japanese drive towards Nanchang.
It is hoped that the community will be safe from the danger of military operations, since there are no defences in or' near the town, and its situation largely protects it from stray bullets and shells.
The Chinese forces, in considerable numbers, are the lower slopes of the mountain, but the authorities have given every assurance that the neutral status of Ku-Ling itself will be respected.
'This isolated community of 148 foreigners, most of whom are retired missionaries, with a strong contingent of children, had full warning of what was likely to happen, but preferred to lay in stocks and' supples, and remain in their novel position dominating the great battle to the English Methodist Mission, and Mr. Duncan McRoberts, Irish, of the China Inland Mission.
"We would never have started if we had known what was in store for us," declared Miss Jorden, me terviewed on arrival here.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.