Imprisoned by Japs

Melvin Southwick 'lB, of Middleboro, Mass., returned to his home on August 31, after six months' Japanese imprisonment and 57 days aboard the exchange ship Gripshohn. While he escaped the abusive and cruel treatment from the Japanese described in current atrocity stories, he did not come through unscathed. Suffering from imprisonment, lack of sufficient and proper food, and beri-beri have impaired his eyesight and his teeth.

An employee of Standard Oil in China for more than 23 years, Southwick was taken prisoner in Kowloon, on the mainland across from Hongkong, on Jan. 5. He was confined in a Chinese brothel for 16 days, during which he nearly starved, and then transferred to Stanley prison, Hongkong, where he remained until June 29.

After a few weeks' rest, he will report to his company in New York for further orders.