PEIPING TO-DAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 53, 25 November 1937, Page 4

PEIPING TO-DAY

Business at Standstiil, Writes Resident i JAPANESE OCCUPATION The complete disorganisation of business in the Chinese capital, Peiping, is described in a letter to Mr and M'rs H. W. C. Baird, of Hastings, froni a friend whom they met during their toui of China last year. The city, which is Occupied by the Japanese, is at a standstill as far as business is concerned, and many of the inhabitants have left. Illustrative of the disorganisation oE services resulting from the war, is tlie /act that a letter from Mr and Mrs Baird, written and despatehed on July 10, did not reach Peiping until October 21, three months afterwards. The currespondent stated that matters aret now improving as far as postage and ghipping movements are concerned, but a state of chaos existed previously. "Peiping is quite quiet," the letter states. "We hear an occasionaL bombing out at Nantao Pass, but that is very seldom now. "Of course, we do not go anywhero — just keep in and about the place— on account of the bandits. The place is full of Japanese soldiers, lorries, tanhs, and planes overhead. The Japanese flag flies on most Government buildings. Business, of course, is nil. One does not lcnow if it will ever return. We try to keep bright and cheery, which is very. difficult. "There is no mail service between Shanghai and Peiping. A number of people have left and, of course, there are no tourists. I might have to leavo myself ,at any time." The communication closes with further references to the disorganisation of business, particularly that of the rug-making trade, which is one of the principal industries of northern China