Shanghai, Feb. 19.
PEATED reports of Japanese forcing able-bodied Chinese to work for them were definitely confirmed yesterday when the "North-China Daily News" learn ied from the most reliable sources that Japanese Army "press-gangs" had been in operation in the north of the Soochow Creek area, particularly in' the Yangtszepoo district, for some time, These operations take place under cover of darkness, late at night and early in the morning, resulting In Tage numbers of Chinese being for~ iby taken by the Japanese. "Hund. reds of workers of the Shanghai Power Ca,, Patons and Baldwins, Ltd, and other' industrial concerns in the Yangtsepoo district, have recently asked for permission to remain on the premises during the night, all being afraid to leave after dark.
Four of the "kidnapped" Chinese had managed to escape to relate their experiences, "They said that hundreds of coolles, most of them from districts along the railway such as Haining, Shenshih and Kashing were Disy loading supplies on thre transports at Jukong Whart and that they" were afterwards forced board and sent South with the ships, "Certain Place" Near Hongkong Several of the "conscripted" work-cers stated that they had been "arrest. ed in Hangchow, thus confirming the Feport appearing' in the "Shun Pao" that a whole train had been used to bring Chinese from. that city and other stations on the way. They were later told that they would be sent to 'a certain place near Hongkong to take part in construction work for the Japanese Army.
In this connection it is learned that hundreds of Chinese workers of in dustrial concerns and Chinese ser vants, working for families residing Ju the North of the Soochow Crecie aren, are afraid to appear in the strocis after dark, not only in th Yangtszepoo district, but In Wayside and Hongkew as well since cases of Inbour "conscription" have been reported from there, "The Yangtszepoo district is ike a city of the dead at might, since very few dare to be seep on the streets Early yesterday. morning, Japanese press-gangs started operating again in Yanwiszopoo, stopping motor cars and trucks, Although it Is said that a jarge umber of Chinese have been '"icldnanped" in the Japanese control-Jed area, only one report has been made to the proper authorities up to yesterday, tu many, instances the Chinese vielims of this racket have simply vanished, leaving absolutely no trace, Several Lucky Fellows some cases the men had been lucky enough to elude their captors and returned to tell their tales, "One of these was reported yesterday the "Chinese-American Daily News." Quoting a mon who has escaped from the Japanes" detention, "the report states that the detained Chinese, more than 1,000 in number, who were later sent away in'trucks, were not even allowed to buy thelt food.
'The labour conscription started on Saturday evening and the number of Chinese men detained by the Japan-exe well passed the 1,000 mark. 'The escaped person, interviewed by a local Chinese news' agency, 1s quoted as saying that he Was caught by the Japanese on Saturday at 9 pin. while visiting a friend, He was stopped at the end of Yangtszepoo Rond by three Japanese gendarmes, who took him to the sixth floor of the Japanese headquarters at the end of North Szechuen Road, where he sav more than 500 workers, awaiting orders from the shore of the efeek, he heard a shot} W-fired, but that time he had already entered a cave.
Conscription of Labour Continues Feb. 33.
'The Japenese press gangs continue operate in the Japanese-controlled reas North. of the 'Creek, It was earned yesterday from " reliable sources, who stated thet the Japanese Were. using the Wing On's Cotton Mit in' Seoul "Road, confiscated, them during the Sino-Japanese, hoslilies here, as a collecting station.
'Starting out to operate under the cover of darkness, during the night fend in the early hours of the morn-Ing, the Sapanese, It, Is reported, sometimes' even operate as late 730'am.. Tt was also learned that operations had begun, not last Satur-Gay'as it was reported, but that these Dress ings. were about their busless' on February 14.
Further information is being col-Jeciod on the activities of these tangs, but the majority of the excep. fed coolles are s0.alrald of reprisals {hat they are reluctant of fell of thole experiences "while in. the hands of the Japenese Hilary, "Another spect to these operations also revealed by the fact that in any' eases, the" conscripted men {ten out to" be the sole. supporters of large. families. With the prevent Ihigh cost of living gradually increas. Ing and with only one of the family earning The. dally bread, some of {hese follies are in. misery, being Toft without means of existence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.