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beingsolutely unchecked, while sections of the city are
being systematically burnt. At 5 p.m. Smythe and I went for e drive. All Taiping Road, the most important shopping street in the city was in flames. We drove through showers of sparks and over burning embers. Further south we could see the sol- diers inside the shops setting fire to them and still fur- ther they were loading the loot into army trucks. Next to the Y.M.C.A. and it was in flames, evidently fired only an hour or so ago, the surrounding buildings were yet untouched. I had not the heart to watch it so we hurried on. That night I counted 14 fires from my windows some of them covering con- siderable areas.
One group here at the house drafted a message to the American Consulate General in Shanghai asking that diplo- matic representatives be sent here immediately as the situation was urgent, then asked the Japanese Embassy to send it via Navy radio. Needless to say it was never sent.
US
Tuesday December 21st. Fourteen of called on Tanaka and presented a letter signed by all 22 foreigners protesting against the burning of the city and continued disorders. More promises! Rabe fears for his house for buildings are burning across the street from him. He has 400 refugees living in matsheds in his garden. Problem of feeding is becoming serious, some refugees, hungry, starting rioting in the university. Our coal will soon be finished but Riggs is scouting for more. The Japanese have sealed all supplies of coal and rice. Sol- diers came into our place today, over the wall and tried to take our cars while we were out, and at another time they nearly got Sone's truck from him. Rabe had a letter today from Dr Rosen of the German Embassy, through Mr. Tanaka saying he was on H.M.S. Bee at Hsiakwan but not allowed to land and asking about German properties. Habe replied that he was glad to be able to inform him that two houses were not looted, the Ambas- sador's and his own and that two cars were still left! There are over 50 German residences in Nanking.
Wednesday December the 22nd. Firing squads at work very near us at 5 a.m. today. Counted over 100 shots. The University was entered twice during the night the policeman at the gate held up at the point of the bayonet and a door broken down. The Japanese military police recently appointed to duty there was asleep. Representatiges of the new Japanese police force called and promised order by January 1st. They also asked for the loan of our motor car trucks. Went with Sperling to see 50 corpses in some ponds quarter of a mile east of headquarters. All obviously civilians, hands bound behind backs, one with the top half of his head cut completely off. Were they used for sabre practice? On the way home for tiffin stopped to help the father of Y.M.C.A. writer who was being threatened by a drunken soldier with a bayonet, the
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