Since the fall of Hofei all American mission property was taken over by the authorities except the mission hospital compound and buildings. The reason this property was not confiscated was only because Mr. Burch, an American citizen, was able to argue them out of it when they brought pressure to bear upon him, and because he was continually "sitting on the place." The other property was occupied, thoroughly looted and utilized up for military purposes. The occupied property included the Coe Memorial Girls School, the Agricultural Centre, the private residence of Mr. O. J. Goulter, the private residence of the Misses Wilkinson, Teagarden and Young.
The two latter residences have just now been returned to mission control, and rice and other foodstuffs were turned over to Mr. Burch as partial rent for the same. Thus for the first time recognition has been given that American property was being or had been occupied by the military. But the Coe Memorial Girls School property, they insist, is so far as they are concerned, not American property, since Chinese soldiers were found in it by them and were driven out by them. The Agricultural Centre is still being used as the headquarters for the local self-government. bureau.
It is reported that of the original 75000 civilians of Hofei there are only about 3,000 left in the city, and that these are not living in their own homes but have been given two small districts in the southern part of the city in which to find residence. AIL other areas are being occupied by military barracks and supplies, but much of the city has been destroyed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.