BURNING OF CHAPEI.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 379, 22 March 1932, Page 7

BURNING OF CHAPEI.

Terrified Refugees Crowd into Settlement. LOCAL WOMAN’S STORY. War within a hundred yards of the Shanghai International Settlement, on the roofs of which watchers could plainly see the faces of the combatants, gave Mrs S. S. Jenkins, who was formerly Miss Bertha Harris, lady editor of the Christchurch “ Star,” a -close-up view of one of the sharpest engagements of the Sino-Japanese conflict. Her vivid description of events at that time includes the flight of terrorstricken people from Chapei, which was reduced to ruins by Japanese bombs and outbreaks of fire. “ We are living just two miles from the firing line,” Mrs Jenkins states in a letter received in Christchurch, “ and from our window’ we can see Chapei on fire. It is a really marvellous sight at night, and all day long the booming of guns and the bursting of bombs make one realise that life is not one grand sweet song for many. We can also see ’planes flying low and dropping bombs, and then at night we get a free movie show in seeing the French police taking the law-breakers to spend the night in gaol. Dealing with events at the time of the Japanese ultimatum, Mrs Jenkins states that on Thursday, January 28, the feeling was tense as the Japanese waited to see whether the Mayor of Shanghai was acquiescing to their demands. Chinese started to come to the Settlement, and by noon it was estimated that 20,000 refugees had arrived. Chapei in Flames. “ ’Plhnes were heard overhead in 'he foggy darkness of 4.30 a.m. on Friday. Machine-guns, Stokes mortars and rifles could also be heard. Despite the sound of guns and the sight of ’planes in the distance, most of the ‘foreigners’ (I cannot get used to calling myself a foreigner) went at their usual times to work, and business seemed to be as usual on Friday morning. Soon, however, fires could be seen in many parts of Chapei. Smoke and dust, as a bomb dropped from above found its mark, was generally followed by sheets of flame. Scarcely any attempt was made to check fires, as the Settlement fire brigades could not get through the Chinese and Japanese barrages. Like a Lurid Motion Picture. “On Friday afternoon every high roof in the Settlement was massed with spectators. Here was serious war within a hundred yards of the interested watchers, and except for the deafening roar of the guns and the vivid flare of the flames, one would have imagined it was a scene from a rather lurid and overdrawn motion picture. Even the faces of the combatants could be plainly seen from many points, and field glasses were in great demand. We stood for hours watching. I don't think I want to be a soldier. It,was amazing that more stray bullets did not come across the creek into the Settlement. At night the sky was lit up for miles around with the glare of fires, and despite the broadcast news that a truce had been agreed upon, firing appeared to continue unabated.” Sniping, chiefly Chinese, continued all day Saturday, the snipers being followed up closely by the Japanese marines, who tried to clear Chapei of Chinese. All their endeavours to take the North Station proved abortive, even after the buildings had been 1 destroyed by bombing. Still'the roads leading from Range Road towards the Soochow Creek and the safety of the International Settlement were jammed with hordes of humanity, all travelling in the one direction. Where they were going they frequently did not know—anywhere away from the destruction in Chapei and Hongkew. Flight from Villages. “On Sunday morning, seventeen Japanese aeroplanes flew over the city in formation, more as a display of strength apparently than for any other reason, for otherwise the day was quiet. This aerial display started evacuation of the outlying villages, and thousands of people streamed into the city. What mattered it if some gates were closed; they got through the houses and byways alongside, carrying what they could of their possessions. ’Rickshaw boys coined money and the amount of baggage that could be held on by a passenger was prodigious. Once in the Settlement the poorer type deposited themselves—father, mother, children, possessions, and generally as many green vegetables as could be carried—on the footpath in front of a building with a large porch for protection from the weather, and added to the congestion of foot traffic till forced to move on. “Some of the refugees continued their trek by going on the river and coastal boats. It was estimated that on Mondav, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 1,2 and 3 respectively, 20,000 persons each day left Shanghai by boat for other ports. There was also an exodus by train to Hangchow and Ningpo, about 18,000 being carried a-way in six trains on the Monday.” Barrows and Motor-cars. 'Most of the refugees passed over Garden Bridge, and a pause in that vicinity showed many modes of transport, including ’rickshaw’s, barrows, stately old family coaches, motor-cars and trucks, all piled high and overflowing with boxes, bales and bundles, while men, women and children struggled under paralysing loads. Many families must have been separated in the jam of traffic, and it is doubtful whether they would find one another again. All showed in varying degrees in their faces the tragedy and terror of the last few days. “ During these days the fighting seemed to be continuing without much result for either side. Fires frequently break out in the devastated areas of Chapei and Hongkew, while shipping has been held up several times on account of gunfire off Woosung, causing great congestion on the Whangpoo. The officials of the Settlement and French concession meanwhile concerned themselves with the erection of fortifications and barricades. Additional British and American forces landed in Shanghai. “ And so Chinese New Year arrived, and one wonders where all this ■will end and w’hether it is worth the enormous loss of life and property already suffered.”