Evening star., 1941-03-02
Crisis in Far East Upsets Plans
OF Nelson T. johnson Family
AustruIiun Reunion
Is Postponed
Indefinitely
by MALvINA STEPHENSON.

The latest crisis in the Far East
has sprung a new upset in the do
mestic affairs of the Nelson T..
johnson family.
Unsettled since the Sino-Japanese
conflict spread in 1887, Mrs. john
son had been counting on a speedy
reunion with her husband at new
diplomatic post in Australia.
But the tense current situation
may not soon permit shift. After
all, Ambassador johnson is already
at the wheel in China and he thor
oughly knows the Oriental path.
Now don't know when our FAM
lily be united and safely settled to-
gether in Australia" Mrs. johnson
said
Not that she is certain Australia
will be saved from japanese aggres-
sion, But I hope Japan is stopped
before she gets that far" the AM
baSsadors wife added significantly.
Worried About Situation.
Mrs. Johnson is frankly worried
about the whole situation She has
witnessed the steady advance of the
japanese, and she fears there will
be no halt.
1T was hard for people in the
United States to realize the gravity
of conditions several years ago." she
said. Now, however, they seem to
be waking up. But we have long
watched the japanese penetration
and feared the worst"
Although she considers the Aus
tralian transfer best for her family,
Mrs. johnson really does not like to
leave China. In one decade, she has
grown to love the country and its
people, and for them will always
have a tender spot in her heart.
My husband began his diplomatic
career in China 80 years ago" Mrs.
johnson observed. I'VE were mar
ried there and our two children were
born there. So, you see how much
that country will always mean to u.s."
Expects Interesting Background.
Nevertheless, Mrs. johnson ex-
poets Australia to offer an interest
ing background. She frequently has
heard that this island country re-
sembles her native Wyoming. 1T
has the spirit of empire-building,"
she said. And their sheep raising.
of course, is like Wyoming"
The former Jane Beck, Mrs. john
son is the granddaughter of United
States Senator James Burnie Beck of
Kentucky and the daughter of
George Washington Thornton Beck
Of Cody, Wyo., whose mother was a
niece of George Washington.
1t was story-book romance which
brought the marriage of the John
sons, The families had long been
intimate friends, but it was not until
1925 that the two finally met. Mr..
Johnson was back from China. an
Assistant Secretary of State, and
Miss Beck chanced to be in the capi.
tai for visit
Then Mr.. Johnson returned to
China and Miss Beck continued her
education. She was graduated from
the University of wyoming.
Were Married in Tientsin.
Minister to China in 1881 (about
the tirae Miss Beck said yes, Mr..
johnson was unable to leave his post
and the marriage took place in
TientSin, China, in the home of
Frank Lockhart. now United States
Consul General at Shanghai.
Life in China was relatively nor
NAL for the couple until the major
japanese drive They divided their
time between Marking and Peiping,
the new and old capitals. Mrs.
Johnson enjoyed the diplomatic
circle and many Chinese friends.
And, she adds, despite the advance
of the Japanese, she still has faith
in the future of the Chinese Ma