One striking feature is that very few of the Government centres were damaged while nearly all of the big business houses were destroyed and this raises two suggestions (1) that the Japanese deliberately aimed "at the business centres in the hope of disaffecting people against the Government for refusing to discuss peace or (2) that the planes fying so high failed to "get" the Government cen-{tres though they aimed at them.
Another remarkable fact Is that no Chinese fighting planes appeared to attack the Japanese; friends with experience of other places say that this Is not an uncommon thing, but they don't seem able to explain.
'The RE. Nan Tang. (South Church) suffered from the bombing'
also did the Provincial Hospital (to a less extent) which ts near by, but it is probable that this was not deliberate.
Today's local papers estimate the casualties as 2,000 Including killed ud injured. This experience seems fo Indicate that the only safe thing fo do is to make for the country a soon as the frst alarm. sounds" not returning until the "all" clear" is founded.
The papers state that the Govern ment is urging everyone who can to move into the country and very large humpers are doing so; the roads are Alled, with all sorts of furniture being. taken out.
The papers also say that the! Central" Government "has wired a large sum of money for the relict of distress, but the gute named is far from enough to meet the need. One can only hope that the bone-volently disposed will give largely to meet the situation. the dispensary had to be turned into ]wards. Private rooms were greatly demand. Obstetrical" eases have exceeded. all previous records in all Jour hospitals. "As usual in war times the boy babies have been in the majority.
"The new hospital at Hengyang was Jopened over a year ago, but in a short time was overflowing. It has been taxed to the limit and the new] automobile has been very _effective Jand indispensable in getting medicines} fand supplies, when the usual routes Were closed. Trips have been made to Hongkong. Hanoi and Lochang, as well as to Changsha, to get needed supplies.
The Siangtan hospital has likewise had a record of in-patients as well as Jclinfe patients, The whole hospital has been unable to accommodate all [that would like to have come.
Not only war, but machinery of all kinds brings new dangers and. accidents and wounded from bombing} planes have been frequent. In Heng-Chow which Is teeming with mechani cal activity of all kinds they. have find to take care of many hurt by faceldents and. Wounds. A. group of pilots and their families were riding nan open truck It turned over 70 away. Word was sent asking that three private rooms be prepared. The hospital was already full. - When they) came there were fifteen victims of the Jaceident; but all were received. One poor woman was brought 30-1i on a Jsretcher to the Siangtan Hospital, having been in an air-raid. Both logs had to be amputated below the knees but she went away with a smile in spite of her handicap.
Chenhsien seems to have been able ito carry on largely because of the loyalty of the Chinese doctor, who has stayed on—even the depleted staff is with the foreign doctor carrying-on.
If ever China needed the help of the Christians of the world she} needs it now.
"The governments of the world may give her no ald or comfort, but sure-the Christian Church will not pass by on the other side.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.