In this connection it is learned that mill workers, delivery coolies and others having business over the bridges are reluctant to go into the area, while the male servants of families residing "north of the Creek" are fearful of appearing on the streets, especially after dark. Kidnappings have been reported close to the bridges over the Soochow Creek as well as at various points in the district generally, near the Hongkew Market, the North Railway Station, in the vicinity of the large mills, and so forth. No part of the reopened area seems safe.
Various cases can be quoted in evidence of the virtual slave traffic.
At 5.30 a.m. on Monday, some forty minutes before sunrise, a Chinese witness was walking along Boone Road near the intersection of North Szechuen Road when he saw three men stop some Chinese labourers and force three of them to accompany them, One of the victims made a struggle but apparently did not succeed in escaping. The witness was unable to ascertain whether the abductors were Chinese, Korean or Japanese.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.