[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]Peiyang Women's Hospital, Tientsin, China.
My dear Miss Turner;
Your good letter dated May 13th came today. I was glad to hear everything. The name of that mountain is unfamiliar to me; threfore I do not think that I ever took that beautiful walk. However; I can enjoy with you in spirit. I am longing for a good walk in the woods. This is city. Our hospital is in the midst of Tientsin. Fortunately we are in a chinese [sic] house; therefore we have open courts, otherwise we would be uncomfortable.
My work is progressing well. Recently I did two operations and they were not hard but I never did them before. One was a cancer of breast and so I removed the whole thing. Other was an infected arm of which I had to do an amputation. One has gone home other is doing well. The latter will be home pretty soon. Our hospital is quite full now. I wish that you could visit my ward. most of them are young girls. We have a school room next to this ward where they can learn to read and a training. There are eight young girls now. I had two very hard obstetrical cases recently. Both babies and mothers are doing well. Their fathers are so pleased. I wish that you are here to share with me the fruit of my labor. Physically I do not lack one thing. I am well supplied. I have the best of everything. It is the people around me are in need. Ofcourse [sic] my nurses and servants all share with me in material rewards. This is a family. I am only at head of it. Every one must work hard to make this a happy home. I know that my energy is not wasted for I am getting all the respect from high and low. I want to do my utmost for my people. This is only in return to what others have done for me.
Now in regard to bandit question, it is not so bad as papers published. These bandits were once soldier-coolies in France. They have gotten more pay during war periods. After they returned home they became disatisfied. [sic] They were enrolled as soldiers on return. Foreign nations criticize China for having so many soldiers therefore she began to disband them. Now these men are without work. What is the difference betwen stealing and robbing. Partly we are receiving the curse of war. So far as China is concerned she has no hostility against any nation now. These bandits arrest natives asw [sic] well as other nationals. They want food and work. Now our government wants to fight against these bandits so as to stop this peril. Foreign nations in China insist upon the safety of afew [sic] of their nationals without taking into consideratin [sic] of the question at large.
I do not for one moment who is blind to the faults of our government. But China must have a free hand in her domestic affairs. China is like a crab without extremities, for every important seaport or city near coast is under foreign control. How can China move? China is suffering not thru the faults of her people but because of the selfishness of her officials. Foreign nations are to be blamed for they are ever ready to loan money to these officials in exchange for more minds, & concessions. China is young and she is a minor yet and these nations should not loan us money. Our peopel do not need their loans. We are poor but we must teach our people to work. If foreign nations continue to play these tricks upon China they will receive their rewards someday. You have no idea how foreigners take advantage of us. They live in concessions and they act as if they are masters of everything.
Now let us face everything squarely. Suppose we put what western nations have done for China nd what they have taken from China on a balance. I dare say the latter outweighs the former. You have no idea how they treat our poor class. Now suppose I should report them to police stations. The latter are under foreign control and they are always on the side of their nationals. What could I do? If I should report to Chinese police station, our government is too weak to have any voice.
In the first place we must blame China herself for being so weak. I have said to missionaries here in China. We do not need christianity [sic] as much as representatives of their nationals. I challenge every missionary first to preach to these foreigners then to us. You would be ashamed of America should you see some of the American merchants in town. I have never seen such hard looking faces during my eight years in America. What kind of revolution we are going to have I do not care but we must have oneto [sic] exterminate first selfish officials. Then let it be known that no nation would be allowed to dip her finger in our domestic pie. Thirdly let every useful woman and man give their upmost for the salvation of our country. There are indeed many good people who have given everything for the education of the mass. Lastly we must have trained workers and leaders.
While I was in America I admire everythig [sic] American. Since coming home my respect for America is not less because I have stayed long enough to understand you, otherwise my mind would be chnaged [sic] in a short time. Some of the missionaries are certainly of poor quaility. [sic] They know nothing of our history or literature. Many of them can hardly read a line in our newspapers. How can they know us when they can not even read our language. To be a christian is to have nothing ill against any one. I have no ill feelings against them. Indeed some of them have done a great deal for our people. I am only speak[ing] of the majority of missionaries and they are not well trained. So putting together these two elements, commercialism and evangilism [sic], the former is taking more from China than what the latter is given. You have no idea of the wide use of American cigerettes [sic] children women, men and even the poor coolies are using them.
From what I said above it is not an in-dication [sic] that I ahve [sic] anything against any nation particualr. [sic] First we must get rid of our selfish officials, secondly we will get rid of these ever ready friendly powers. The latter are always proclaiming friendship to China, but underhand in their tricks. There is so much that young China wants to do. We young people have two evil forces to fight. It is very safe to travel. Bandits are not China's real foes. The two forces that I mentioned above are real bandits of China.
Do you know the magazine Hygeia? It is a wonderful paper for general public. The material is good. If I have time I like to translate some for our papershere is so much that I like to do and I have so little time.
Dear Miss Turner; I know that you are interested in my work. It is not material gift that counts. It is the spirit of inspiration that helps me in my work. I would always look up to you for advice in my work. Soon I hope that you would have chnace [sic] to visit me. Dr. Van Hoosen of Chicago visited me and she gave me so much encouragement. Just afew [sic] more days I shall finish my year's work. When my report is finished I shall send you one.
I hope the coming year will be a better one than the past. Taking everything into consideration my first year has been a successful one. Hospital has had quite afew [sic] improvements since my coming. Financially we are able to put away a few hundred dollars every quarter for the enlargement of our work. Dr. McLean said that I have real "yankee thrift." Whatever I undertake I always like to do my utmost best. One thing then another fell upon my shoulders, I did all with my best. Mistakes I have made but unavoidable.
Now I am in need of a head nurse. An American nurse promised to come then failed me the last minute. If everything goes well I am going to send one to America for training next year. We must have Chinese leaders. My secretary is going to Michigan University to study medicine this coming year. Another girl is coming to take her place. Probably this one would take up nursing. So you see I am preparing for the future of this hospital.
I have kept up with the news of Mount Holtoke [sic] College thru Quarterly. I am happy for the constant growth. When you see Dr. Clapp, Miss Griffith and Dean Purington, kindly remember me to them. I close this letter with much love.
Yours lovingly.
M. I. Ting.June 19th, 1923.