BETWEEN TWO FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1918, Page 8

BETWEEN TWO FIRES.

A MISSIONARY IN CHINA.

In the course of a letter written to her brother (Mr. W. L. Moore, of Dunedit)) Miss Moore, Church of Scotland missionary at Ichang, China, writes:

- . . . War right here in lehang has occupied all our spare thoughts and a good deal of our spare time. China is at sixes-and-sevens politically and is split into North v. South. The North is the recognised Government, the South are the rebels, and thoy come as far north as this place. We also have soldiers from the North, many thousands of them, and what between fears of an attack by the South and fears of a little looting and stealing by the North (especially as tha food supply is getting low), the whole place is more or less in a. panic. You who live in a peaceful Christian land have no conception of what a panic means. But, generally speaking, it means that everyone who can flee to some other place, those who can t want to, and those with money flee from place to place, in most of the townships and villages round us every woman and child has fled to the country, and nearly all shops are closed. On December 8 a battle was fought here, so near that the firing could be distinctly heard. When it beeame known that the action was in progress a procession of fear-stricken people made for our compound. One of our teachers caine in, white and terror-stricken: "They are fighting," lie explained. "Do hoist your Union Jack quickly." (This because both sides protect the foreigners, and their place are left alone and form refuge for the distressed.) So I ran in and got our Ted ensign, had it tied to a bamboo pole and hung out from the I most conspicuous point of the verandah. | Then the people came crowding in; mothers carrying babies, fathers with bedding, big children leading little ones. I gave them an empty room to camp in, and light and tea, so they spread their bedding on the floor and were comfortable and safe. Mothers of girls who are in school here came and crowded in, old ladies arrived in chairs, until we had about 100 refugees in the place. . . , As war means scarcity of food, I immediately brought in enough rice, oil, salt, beans, etc., for six weeks' use. I hope the panic and danger is all past before Chinese New Year holidays, as if it is not, I shall have to keep all the girls here at the school. These days I am constantly reminded of the spy in 'Kim,' who was always saying: "I am a very fearful man" —the whole lot here are of the same nature. Before the battle came off one of the city magistrates looked in to tell me how things were going. I asked liim. if there was to be any fighting. "No," lie replied, "we will send the men to a place 10 miles distant to meet the enemy, and they will have in the vanguard all the flags of the allies. When the enemy see - those flags they will not dare to fire a shot." . . . j

I liave made a little money for the school out of this trouble by renting out rooms at 20dol. to 30doL a month. Tha well-to-do came begging to be allowed to rent, so I consented; not that wo wanted the money, but I felt sorry for them, and we are here to help these people in every way we can. A Chinese lady came with her daughters. She was so terrified, and had not slept for four days and nights. I stipulated "no men," but one night I found one in the garden and told him he must go. "Oh, yes, yes," he said; 'Til just go.' But I was doubtful, so went up later and asked if he was gone. They were going to deny his presence, but I looked round the door and saw him evidently "done up for the night"—sitting in an armchair and covered from head to foot with a red blanket, with a charcoal fire at his feet. He came out; and I conducted him to the gate and saw him safely out. I am really surprised at the amount of firmness I can on occasions display.