To the Editor of the "NortH-Criwa Dany News"
Six,—With the exception of illné3s, this is my first holiday in 5% years away from the tawny waves of the Yangtszekiang and the sticky summer heat of the valley, and, what a holiday Tt commenced on Friday, August On the night of the 12th, I was in Shanghai at the Palace Hotel, where, having imbibed three for from weak gimlets, I went on a tour of Chapei. The North Station I had so negotiated only.a few short hours previously, was barred and barricaded. In diplomatic language the atmosphere tense," in. my own _phraseol it was positively crackling.
I left the Palace Hotel at 7 a.m. and nothing whispered that next day it would be a shambles, Yet I felt uneasy, should I go or stay? I went, the Shanghai Maru sailed at 8 a.m., Friday the 13th, at 9.30 a.m.. hostilities commenced, but we didn't know. that. How tidy the landscape was as T tched it from the boat deck; and how terribly tired I felt. Did I guess what ruins would be there only a few later? I'm afraid 1 didn't Wearily I sought out a shady spet under a staircase, lay down flat on the hard deck and went fast. asleep, When I woke up we were far into the Yangtsze's mouth and I spoke for the first time to a fellow-passenger. thereafter making ends easily. Later we ran into a typhoon and anchored. Still later, we pulled up anchor and returned, anchoring again about ten miles from Woosung. Here had approximately 12 Japanese Navy around us and every now and then were joined by other timorous craft, like ourselves, until sembled the Whangpoo at its busiest This was Saturday evening and the Japanese having steamed round and round us most of the day, like, a string of ponies out for exergtge, ettled down and systematically shel\- ed in the direction of Shanghai Fires began to rage, assisted by the howling wind, and we stood on the deck uneasy and amazed. What was happening? Had the balloon gone up? On Sunday at noon we sailed. for Nagasaki; our destination, Kobe, having been' cancelled. The ship was full of Japanese evacuees. American tourists, and a few, like myself, on holiday. Water was terribly Scarce, but there was enough food. Arrived Nagasaki Monday 4 pin. officially "lost"!
My real destination was Kamikochi but: how concentrate on the hinterland of Japan with the flash of 6 inch guns ard the glare of fire in my mind's eye? Restlessly I tried Unzen to see what it was like, but the smell of sulphur on top of a typhoon. put me off, and by the skin ofCmy teeth I caught the 11 p.m. train from Nagasaki to Kobe. Here I was caught in a whirl of "Banzai's"as fond relations saw their respective troops off to the front, waving banners, flags and lanterns, As I watched, I wondered if they had any idea of what they were going into Unimportant though Iam, I had the advantage then of seeing both sides of the China sea:—like a person reading a book. At Kobe the news was so black. I climbed Rokko-so and sat on the top and watched the suns set: bright flame behind dark pines. The air was sweet and cool, and the' place deathly silent. As it grew dark the lights of Kobe shone and twinkled and I decided to return How to get back? No-one could help me, because nobody knew. Women were not being permitted to retu was informed, and steamers were not calling Shang! As for Nanking, it was out of the question and that was that On the off chance I wentCback to Nagasaki, but both express boats had sailed at 5 a.m. the morning I arrived. therefore, had few forced. blessed days at Mogi, a swim in sap: phire water and a much needed rest. A beautiful place Mogi, green hills sapphire sea and a turquoise sky Why must people fight? Why blow one another to bits? What's the use?
Shanghai was reached without event but what a difference in the scene Ruins, destruction, death. Fires smoking and an aeroplane here and) there "laying og: Wayside Wharf was reached, and here was-destruction without end, and all in the space of ten days, Whatafools we all are! What on earth m: us do it? Aren't we ever going td get civilized.
Now comes an enforced halt on the 6th floor of a hotel in Shanghai waiting to get a ticket on the Shanghai-Nanking train, with a first class view of night raids on the Whangpoo. So much so indeed that I watch the Crystal Palace effect of these raids with only my nose protrading over the window-sill in case of stray bits of shrapnel and machine gun bullets, the windows being large wide-open spaces into which anything might float. And during this wait came the sad news of the wounding of Sir Hughe on the Nanking-Shanghai road with the near annihilation of the whole party; more innocent people who are working hard for peace, involved in the general strafe.
To-morrow I disappear into the hin-tertond of the Nanking-Shanghai railway. for what it may be worth and for wherever it may go! The thought is not a rosy one. May it please the Japanese High Authorities not to bomb the railway at this critical juncture and may they also spare'me me portion of Nanking in which to land!
My particular thanks go to the Military Police who assisted us to reach the Bund from Wayside Wharf in a Black Maria; my first journey in such a vehicle! Also, to Messrs. Dahistrand, Speyers, Harris and Hind; very kindly Shanghai "lads." Last, but not lei S.V.C.-ite named "Rennie' n't know his surname) who donated me with a 10 cent piece for Tuck on August 12. May the luck hold for the last leg of the "trip". Here endeth the "holiday", Zeno.
Aug. 27.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.