The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1938-08-04

the young Carleton College student,
teaching in China, reversed for
mer decision, made complete
about face, and will remain until 80
as fast moving events transpire.
Not two months ago in the face
of a relentless Jap onslaught, the
seemingless hopeless situation for
the schools he is affiliated with,
Cliff thought the thing to do was
to come home. Until this last let
ter came this week his parents
thought him already on the seas
heading for the United States.
Prompting his new decision Is
this situation: mel Kennedy" he
wrote, new Oberlin representative,
can only come as far as Pieping.
He will not be allowed to come in
terror at all. That means there will
be a job for me in Ming Hsiem
schools. I have decided now to stay.
Where I once thought the right
thing for me was to come home,
now I think I am doing right by
staying"
A year ago the first week in Aug
ust Cliff, Carleton appointee to the
teaching job in Shansi, pushed into
the Orient just as the Japs were
beginning their on rush into China.
Months of delay held him from his
destination in Fenyang, and when
he did arrive he was forced to flee
from the south. The year has been
one of hopping from place to place
always farther south. Now 1t
seems he has settled.
AS his first year closes, he wrote:
There is lots to do and shouldn't
wonder but what this year will be
as exciting and interesting as the
one has been-for me at least"
In pace with events that have
transpired in the past few days, this
June letter of Cliffs hints that 1--WE
have rumors of a secret pact with
Russia but with no confirmation"
Now daily dispatches confirm the
fact that Russia is openly fighting
with Japan.
Mao Tse-Tung, leading Chinese
Communist whom Cliff interviewed,
he wrote, has the war divided into
a long time span of three parts:
first, the Jap offensive with the Japs
driving the Chinese to the south:
second a period when the Japs will
be held at bay by guerilla and par
tisan troops; and finally the time
when Japan is so weakened that
China will be able to rout her from
the entire face of China.
Clifford. taking up the continent
of most Foreigners IN the provinces.
struck at attempts at boycotting
saying it hits only at poor Jap lab
orers and farmers. 1--WE must strike
at those vitals of the economic con-
trollers so closely allied to the mill
tary," he pointed out. THAT can
only be done by preventing the
Shylocks of America and Britain
from loaning money to the Japan
esq.,"
In June, Cliff, with a party of
young students, made a trip into
the Yenan country, now seat of the
Regional government of Chinese
Soviets. He said, Our position at
the rear of the lorry atop miscel-
laneous supplies afforded excellent
opportunities for catching tons of
silt-like dust 'loess) thrown up by
the dual wheels. Because Of my
raids of flat tires, rain, and finally
the necessity of resorting to foot,
we spent six days on the road to
Yenan, arriving in that place. We
walked the last 145 Ii (48 miles, and
enjoyed it immensely, for it led
through some of the most interest
ing country"
Passports in order, they were ad-
mitted to the Red territory, cam
eras were registered, and they were
questioned as to the length of their
stay, and what things, pointedly
they would like to see. All in a
very polite manner and everyone
seemed anxious to make our stay
a pleasant one"
Climaxing their visit to the Com
munistic was an interview with Mao
Tst Tung, that inimitable person
atty of Chinese Communism and
recognized contemporary leader of
world fame" I'VE attended a feast
as his guest" Clifford wrote, "but
because of urgent work and a pain
full impacted tooth he excused him.
self through his snrv and kindly
little secretary who proved to be the
life Of the party"
In his letter Cliff was anxious
that some of his old friends write
to him from Sank Centre. He asked
particularly about several. He
points out that mail Is coming thru
with more rapidity now, that air
mail letters goes through readily.
His address is Ming Hsien Schools.
Sian, Shensi, China.
.