PITIFUL PLIGHT OF FLEEING REFUGEES

Chronicle (Levin), 11 January 1949, Page 5

PITIFUL PLIGHT OF FLEEING REFUGEES

Received Mondav, 7 p.m. NANKING, Jan. 10. Tliousands of refugees from the war t hreat ened X anking-Bhanghai area, are seeking safety in flight down the Har.-kow-Canton railwav, tlie only Centra! Cliina escape route to the south. The X.Z.P.A.-Reuter correspondent, Mr. William Farrott, who made a two-day .ourney up the railwav from Canton to liaukow, rau against this tide of frightened refugees. He says most of them belong to the poorer classes as the jvealthy had already beaten a -hasty retreat by more, eomfortable niethods of travel. The present refugees are buying doubtful seeurity at a heavy cost in personal discomfbrt as well as personal risk. Alen, women and children erowd ed everv incli of the carriages and ujien trucks. 1-ateconiors piled 011 the ovcatchers, clung precariously on thc plates between the trucks and-huddled on swaying carriage roofs. With them w.ere their meagre household goods. .Some even brought their poultry anc their pigs. Xot that this represents anytliing new m railway travel b}' the (iiinese poor but the distances involved and days en route are demanding enor uious patience and endurance. These people on the carriage tops and cow catcher me cravellmg througtL a Con tineutal winter, ot'ten t.hrough snow Ptorms, beating rain and icy winds. They are buying frugal meals fron. grimy food stalls at wayside stations. They are able to carry on because they believe they are escaping from a war which few understand and all hate.