Tsingtao, Aug, 31.
Relatives and friends of people marooned in Tsingtao at least for the moment, should not be apprehensive regarding conditions under which they live, Although when the Japanese first began to evacuate, the Chinese became panicky, and shut up every shop in the city and for several days there was a shortage of food. To-day, however, 50 per cent. of the shops have re-opened, rickshaw coolies have returned with their vehicles and washman are again calling on their patrons.
Consular officials and the authorities in general advise against people trying to reach Shanghai by train. Telegrams have been received of individuals having gotten through by devious routes and channels and often a three-day train ride is necessary to reach Nanking. From there on the journey becomes hit-and-miss. After many delays—as many as ten copies of the "North China Daily New: coming in a single mail—the mails again are moving fairly regularly. British shipping companies state that over the week-end several vessels will depart for Shanghai, Over 200 men will attempt: to. return but in view of an_appreaching normalcy regarding food and public serviees—prices still are up by 25 to 33 per cent—the majority have arranged for their families to remain in Tsingtao, Several school mistresses and matrons of hospitals will try to travel on these vessels.
Many Russian people are in need. Families came with enough funds to carry them through their normal vacations, but now are. flat broke, some requiring food and medicines. The Tsingtao community is holding a huge charity. ball and jamboree Saturday in the Edgewater Mansions to raise funds.
No small number of pre-adolescent Russian boys and girls sent from Shanghai by charity have their food and room paid until Friday. These, it is expected, will benefit from the proceeds of the. ball, while individuals in the international community are contributing to Mrs. J. W. Prince, who. is enlisting aid for these children, Five British children in this camp have been sent to the convent by interested British people.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.