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Japanese Shoot British Women
THE HELL OF HONG KONG
Henry Bough, a Reuter cor- respondent, sent this cable
today from Chungking, to which he escaped after three months in Japanese-occupied Hong Kong:
A
tion.
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JAPANESE - MADE hell- that is Hong Kong three months after its occupa-·
Starvation faces a large propor tion of the population.
When the Japanese occupied the island it was estimated there was nine months supply of food. But large supplies have been com- mandeered by the Japanese army and shipped away.
Food supplied to prisoners of war is poor and insufficient in quantity. and there is much sickness.
OFFICERS LOOKED ON Civilian internees are slightly better off, as they occasionally get| fish and meat, while prisoners of war are given only rice and beans.
I can confirm the appalling stories of murder and rape which have been reported.
Many of the worst atrocities were committed in the presence of Japanese officers. They are only too true. Many of the women were shot after being attacked. Several foreign women who were not interned have asked to be sent to camp as they are not allowed to buy rice or any other daily necessities at official prices. ROAD-SWEEPERS
In the early days of the occupa- tion Japanese troops engaged in widespread looting, and men and women were stopped in streets and watches and money taken from them.
Many of these acts were com- mitted in the presence of Japanese officers.
Under the pretext of searching for arms, Japanese troops under the. command of officers entered and ransacked premises.
Everything possible was done to lower the prestige of Westerners. Britons were ordered to sweep the road, while others carried away bodies.
British subjects were struck on the face on the least provocation.
IN CHINESE HOUSES All these incidents took place before the internment of British and Allied subjects.
Notices were printed ordering all enemy nationals to report the fol- lowing morning. They were given a few hours to settle their private affairs, and only clothing and per- sonal belongings were allowed to be taken.
Internees were concentrated in several third-rate Chinese board- ing-houses.
After about a fortnight all were taken to a large prison at Stapley, which is about four miles across the island from Victoria.
No visitors are now allowed at Stanley.
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مائي
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