BRITONS’ FRIGHTFUL ORDEAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 July 1942, Page 5

BRITONS’ FRIGHTFUL ORDEAL

SHANGHAI HELL-HOLE i London, July 27. Describing treatment under the d Japanese after the declaration of war, n a British United Press correspondent, e Mr Walter Furnas, cabling from Lourenco Marques, said: “I was 66 days in Shanghai’s hell-hole—the Japanese police headquarters—after trying to escape from Shanghai. I and others were threatened, beaten, starved, and thrown into cells nine feet by 12 with filthy Chinese gunmen and white-slavers and Japanese criminals. “Between 20 and 30 jammed each , cell and were forced to sit crossI legged for hours and beaten if caught whispering. I and another inmate killed more than 1000 bedbugs one morning. We were allowed one wash l daily, and our Chinese cell-mates - were not allowed to wash. 1 “J- B. Powell, editor of the “Chinese 2 Weekly Review,” developed beri-beri s and also gangrene of the feet. He is 5 crippled for life: he weighs 751 b instead of his normal 160. and he has lost all but the heels of his feet as a result of the cold, confinement, inadequate food and lack of medical - care. The Japanese summoned an ' American doctor when they realised • his life was in danger. Powell has ' steadily made progress aboard the J repatriation ship.” L