LETTERS TO CATHERINE SUTHERLAND
CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT OF GINLING COLLEGE, NANKING, CHINA
Letter from Ellen Koo, teacher in Music Department of Ginling College, Sept. 6, 1937.
Here I am at last. Father, amah and I left Kiading on the evening of August 23. We walked three miles in the dark after five bombs hit near our place, one on our left, four on our right. We left on that night. The boat went to Tsingpu. We sat on some pieces of wood for two days and two nights. When the boat got to Tsingpu we walked to the mission place. Mr. and Mrs. Yao were there, so we stayed in our mission (Episcopal) for five days to rest up. Later on the 30th a Mr. Wong came with us to St. John's University after I hired a car. We left in a hurry so brought only a few summer dresses and left all our things at Kiading, my typewriter and victrola, etc. The day after we left, more than 60 bombs were thrown and the most prosperous part of the city was burnt.
This morning I played the pipe organ for the Holy Communion service, because Mr. Chin asked me. I feel quite at home here, for I used to study here and played the same organ for many years every Sunday and on week days we took turns. Father, of course, did not wish to leave Kiading but I begged with many tears so he unwillingly came with us. Now he asked me, "When are we going home?" I told him, "As soon as we can," but I do not know when. Pray God will hurry this awful business and make an end of it soon.
- - - - - - - - - - - Letter from Hu Shih Tsang, Ginling Alumnae [sic], Music Major. Shanghai, Aug. 26, 1937.
Of course you can imagine how glad I was to receive your letter which came yesterday afternoon. I was greatly relieved after reading your note. I wonder how the trenches look. You must feel lonely after so many left.
Before the war started there was so much moving on the streets, which were very crowded. On the 13th the war began. Stores were all closed up. There were no vehicles except rickshas [sic] and automobiles. All at once the condition was very disorderly. Probably you have heard of the bomb accident near the Y.M.C.A. and another one the day before yesterday at the Sincere Wing-On section. That was real tragedy. People were so much frightened. SO many tried to leave Shanghai. You can't imagine how crowded the station was. Children were tramped to death. Sometimes bombs came and killed many people.
The first few days I felt rather frightened. We were just like birds in a cage. Rumors frightened us so much. Once we saw crowds of people rushing from north to south direction. Word was given to us that the Japanese soldiers were defeated and would rush to the Concession. The telephone was so busy. Friends rang up telling us that the Japanese soldiers would use poisonous gas. Now we are used to these things. These few days the condition is smoother here. There was so much fighting up in the air. They were fighting as if on our roof sometimes. The anti-air craft gun killed many people. At night we can see the fire from the guns and we can hear the sound of guns distinctly. The Chinese troops are doing well here. There were hundreds of Japanese captives rushing over the bridge. They were all captured and guarded by English soldiers.
Chapei and Hongkew were both burned down. We could see the fire from our window. So many innocent people were killed by the Japanese soldiers. This is true, no exaggeration. Some people are still in the war section. There were Catholic people who planned to get them out. Hundreds have come out, yet there are more. I really can't see why there is so much killing in this world. I can't understand. People were left without work, without home, part of a family killed. What can I do to promote peace! The Japanese people who stayed in China for several years were also very pitiful when they left Shanghai.
I don't practice much these days. God bless you.
- - - - - - - - - - - Letter from undergraduate of Ginling College, Music Major. Shanghai, Sept. 1, 1937.
I was so glad in receiving your letter. Since my home has moved to French Town now, I have to go home for letters. This is why letters come to me so late.
This is quite the most terrible time I have ever dreamed about. Every day up to night we are troubled by the drone of airplanes. The explosion of the bombs often make us feel cold and tremulous. Once the bombs made the whole house tremble. We thought it was an earthquake at first. Finally we found some "flying eggs" had been dropped down. The place which had been fired was very near our home. Hundreds of people were killed. My father saw some toes polished with red, but nothing more was connected with them. Oh, how terrible and cruel the war is! Blood has flowed all over the streets. Life is nothing to the world now. You may be killed at any time, in the street or at home. Early in the morning and up in the very night we can hear the cruel sound of the cannon and airplanes, the sound of the heartless guns and the crying of human beings! I can never understand why people should fight against each other in such a terrible way.
Though we are safer in living in French Town than in Nantao, our former home, yet it is very uncomfortable and inconvenient. You can just imagine how crowded we are, we, nine people, living within one room, a simple quite small room. These days we can't take anything away from our old home. The doors separate the foreign settlements from Nantao are all closed up. Yesterday, a whole day, nobody can go and come from Nantao. Since our home is in Nantao, and since the Japanese bombed it, we feel very uneasy and worry about that. I think you know how recently our south railway station was bombed by Japanese. More than 400 people who wanted to go home were killed. I can't imagine how these broken families would feel these days. We are fortunate we have not met any of these troubles.
I worry about our study for the coming semester. I don't think September 20th will be a possible day for the school to open; if so, then what shall we do? What do you think? Have you any news from Dr. Wu about our school opening? Does she have any remedy for it if the 20th is not possible? I worry about that since the day is drawing nearer and nearer.
You are full of the spirit of Christ. I hope you will pray for us under such a riotous period.
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