The wharf property extends some-illing like a quarter of a mile along ihe river front and several hundred yards inland, Behind the godowns which face the river are some vacant plots of land, overgrown with lush green grass. On the plots are innumerable chickens, many of which have been brought in by refugee peasants, a few ducks, a mare and her foal, a couple of hacks, a donkey, and goats past counting. Many of these goats are also refugees, and they have a trick of suddenly disappearing, leaving no trace but a pleasing smell from cooking pots.
Behind these again are the foreign residences, a short row of hous with lawns and vegetable gardens Only one of these residences is now fully occupied, that of the manager which has been turned into a me: Where all foreigners on the wharf feed and most sleep.
Regulations on the wharf property are strict..By agreement with the Chinese on one side and with the Japanese of the other no one is permitted to climb on to roofs or on to ihe water tower to observe the war. Communications with both sides are reduced to the essential minimum. Neutrality is observed in a way which would please the "peace. organizations" now clamouring in another country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.