(Delayed in Transit)
Tsingtao, Dec. 30.
The considerably depleted and frightened population of this once thriving seaside and holiday report, went through another night of explosions. Between 10 p.m. on Wednesday and early this morning, about 20 detonations of varying magnitude were heard throughout the city and on investigation proved to be due to various local elements blowing up the buildings and workshops also the drydock of the Naval Dockyard. The drydock was completed only about one year ago and was an achievement of which the Tsingtao Administration was justly proud and which enhanced the reputation and importance of Tsingtao.
Another important public utility, the brand new power station of the Tsingtao Electric Light Ca., partly owned and chiefly run by Japanese and situated in the Ssufang industrial district, was also put out of action—the machinery was considerably damaged, while the buildings themselves suffered comparatively slight damage. The main station, of lesser capacity, situated in town, is still functioning and is sufficient for Tsingtao's present needs.
The plant of the Tsingtao Dai Nippon Brewery was also blasted, but the buildings did not suffer much. Other Japanese concerns which suffered last night were the Towa Oil Mill, and the M. B. K. Oil Mill whose buildings are burning, though their tanks are still standing, and the Japanese dye works in Tai Tung Chen, whose machinery was blown up.
Wireless Station out of Commission The wireless station at the west end of the town near the naval aerodrome was also put out of commission, though messages can still be sent from the town outfit in the post office and telegraph building On Tuesday, the telegraph cable to Sasebo (which runs under the sea opposite the Grand Hotel was severed by an explosion which was heard throughout the city and to-day the machinery in the Head Office (behind the Grand Hotel) was smashed, thus further isolating Tsingtao from the outside world. The Postal Service is working under severe handicaps due to a depleted staff and discontinuance of railway service and blocked B. & S. and Jardine's coastal ships touching here are taking passengers from the pier opposite the International Club and the very uncomfortable and cold journey from pier to steamship has to be made by Sampan. Chinese by the thousands continue to evacuate here for Tientsin and Shanghai by these vessels and a number of foreign women and children have also left.
A few days ago the railway bridge at Tsangkow and the recently completed additions to the waterworks for the industrial districts were also blown up, but the town supply is functioning normally under the hardworker Chief Engineer, Mr. Y. F. Lee, who deserves the praise and gratitude of all here.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.