From Hankow, however, all. steamers, rains, aeroplanes and' motorbuses are booked to capacity, and, because of the great dimeully' of obtaining transportation by train and steamer, many refugees have to evacuate the city westward to Ichang.
For this reason the Hupeh provin-dal authorities have established a special station at Ichang to care for the refugees as they arrive.
The flooding of parts of the highway between Wuchang and Changsha is considerably affecting the movement of travellers into Hunan, In the French Concession here, the authorities are erecting conerete posts for the entrance gates to the Concession, where many of those intending to' remain in Hankow are now trying to find accommodation, Rentals in the Concession, as well as in the special administrative distriets—the former German, Russian and British Concessions—are soaring to ridiculous heights.
'Somedays ago a single livable room in the Concession easily secured a monthly rental of anywhere from $200 to $500, but now any Kind of a Toom there' is almost impossible to obtain, The housing problem is reported to be acute also in Chungking and Chungking, June 27.
The population of Chungking has reached a new all-time high record fas the result of an unprecedented influx of refugees from Ichang and Thousands arrived in foreign and Chinese steamers: during the weekend from Ichang, where some 10,000
upriver.
Deople are stil" awaiting transport The congestion within the city is great that many Chinese passen Jers are still aboard these steamers, being unable to find accommodation, Rents are soaring sky high, causing intense suffering. 'The City' Council recently discussed the possibility of Limiting rentals, but the subject was Jdropped after consideration.
In an effort to relieve congestion, the authorities some time ago advised fall those able to quit the city to live the surrounding country, since: the city presents a most vulnerable tar-leet for bombing raids, being situated lon a rocky peninsula, with water on three sides and only'two roads to provide exit from the city on the fourth side.
The populace, however, lulled by the long immunity, at present prefer to remain within familiar surroundings.
The streets of the city are now daily thronged by many newcomers, [who can easily be distinguished from the sallow, blue-gowned and short [Szechuenese by their complexions, fhelght and sophisticated dress.
The recent arrivals included a large proportion of women,. among [them many Chinese beauties—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.