"Similar precautions were observed. The city was stripped bare of food, while other possessions were buried. This time, the damage amounted to "A Japanese force of 20,000 men advanced in three columns, and occupied the city for about one month. 'They wore allowed to take possession and wore not strongly' resisted, but Chinese forces closed in behind them, blocking the passes.
"During the Japanese occupation,' the Magistrate continued, "Japanese foraging raids resulted In' the loss of 900 animals, which were taken for food, and the death of 87 persons, who' wore shal by the Japanese. Among those dead were 71 peasants, while the others were local oficial.
He then told a grim little story of nine families who were living on the summit, of a' rocky eminence 3 mille from the city, which could only be reached by chain ladders.
"he people drew, up the. chains when Ue "Japanese ' appeared manding food," he said, "when the Japanese attempted to scale the cliff, they threw down rocks and furniture fon, their heads, killing several, "After four days of resistance, the Japanese sealed the hill and put the Inhabitants to. the sword, some 20 persons being killed. The only sur vivors were four of the youngest ehildren, two of whom were wounded, while the other two escaped by feign: Ange death"
The Japanese were speedily obliged to abandon Chihsien and began to retreat through the mountains in mid-winter, according (0 the Magistrate's story, which high Chinese army officers later corroborated. They were forced to retreat since their communications were cut of and food was running short, "Then the Chinese army seized the opportunity, while holding the passes, and attacked the Japanese, as short of munitions and provisions, they struggled along the trails," the Magis-rate said.
One quarter of the Japanese forea, including several high officers, total-Vinge 6,000 in all, suffered casualties, according to Chinese reports." he concluded.
Before resuming our journey, we wont for a stroll through the streets of Chihsien, which is a typical small walled Chinese city, lying in a narrow valley between'hills." About one filth of the buildings had been burn~ ed, but the city was packed with peasants, and there was a busy (rade mart.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.