Letter from Sao Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, July 8, 1926
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Sao Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, July 8, 1926
Subject
Letter from Sao Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns, July 8, 1926
Description
Typed letter from Sao-Ke Alfred Sze to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns about making arrangements for Admiral Tsai's children to attend school in America. Includes the series of letters and cables between Admiral Tsai and Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. Provides information about Admiral Tsai's children: Yunkang, daughter, 18 years old and Pokang, son, 15 years old. Explains Admiral Tsai wants them to have a strong grasp of the English language and would like them placed in a prepatory school in Washington or small New England town.
Transcription
CHINESE LEGATION
WASHINGTON
July 8, 1926
Dr. Alfred E. Steams, Principal
Phillips Academy
Andover, Massachusetts
My dear Dr. Stearns:
I have just sent you the following telegram:
"Admiral Tsai Tingkan Chinese Minister Foreign Affairs desires to place daughter aged eighteen and son aged fifteen under your charge as guardian. They will arrive Unitedstates about September first. Can you find suitable school for them together for first year. I hope you will give me favorable answer for communication to Admiral Tsai."
The above telegram is the result of previous correspondence on the subject. The Admiral wrote me on April 10th in regard to his children as follows:
"My daughter, Yunkang, who is now IS years old and my son, Pokang, 15 years old, are booked to sail for the States via Seattle Aug. 12th on board the "President Jackson". They are not very advanced in their English studies and must first be tuitioned in some private or preparatory school before they go to school and college. My object in sending them to America is because I want them to acquire a thorough knowledge of the English language. While in America I want them to be surrounded by good moral influence. Neither do I want them to be living together with Chinese students and talk Chinese day and night. X should like them to live in some American home and be treated as we were treated, as a member of the family. The fault with many of
the returned students is that they have not a sound knowledge of English and know little of the spirit and soul of the American people. The strength of the American people rests in their religious and moral attitude. Take this foundation away and America would be little better than atheistic Russia.
"Can you place my children in some preparatory school or private home either in Washington or some small town of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants in New England, preferably Connecticut or Massachusetts? I should like them to live together for the first year or two. If you do this for me and let me know how much it requires for their expenses for a year X will mrke all necessary financial arrangements* China is now a Republic and without education a republic is a dangerous form of government for an ignorant mob.
"My daughter has short hair, but X like short hair better than I do short skirts."
The following is my reply, dated May 19th:
I have just received your letter of April 10th asking me to find suitable schools for your son and daughter. I am in perfect sympathy with your purpose to give to your children an American education such as you had the good fortune to get years ago. But since you were here ideas about education have changed a great deal in this country. Furthermore, the American Immigration Act of 1924, has made it rather hard for Chinese students to come to the United States although its provisions apply to all foreign students alike.
The requirements for a student applying for admission to the United States are: (1) that he must be at least 15 years old; (2) that he must have financial means to support himself as a student while in this country; and (3) that he must attend a school approved by the Department of Labor.
"Your boy and girl will have no difficulty in complying with the first two requirements. Arrangements will have to be made with some schools approved by the Department of Labor to enroll them as students before they can be admitted into the United States. I would suggest that you place the matter in the hands of Dr. Alfred L. Stearns, Principal of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, who, I am sure, will be able to place your boy and girl in suitable schools. I shall be glad to approach Dr. Stearns on the subject if you desire to have me do so.
"It is important also to furnish them with Section 6 Certificates as students, duly visaed by an American Consul. These certificates are issued by Commissioners of Foreign Affairs. If they are not provided with proper papers they will have trouble after their arrival in this country.
"As for allowance, I would suggest that you give each not less than $1,500.00 American currency a year. Of course when you were here you needed only about one third as much for expenses but times have changed since then."
This letter has doubtless just reached Admiral Tsai, and the following cablegram, received this morning, is his answer:
"Please request Stearns Andover admit my children Pokang and Yunkang as pupils cable me."
Very sincerely yours
WASHINGTON
July 8, 1926
Dr. Alfred E. Steams, Principal
Phillips Academy
Andover, Massachusetts
My dear Dr. Stearns:
I have just sent you the following telegram:
"Admiral Tsai Tingkan Chinese Minister Foreign Affairs desires to place daughter aged eighteen and son aged fifteen under your charge as guardian. They will arrive Unitedstates about September first. Can you find suitable school for them together for first year. I hope you will give me favorable answer for communication to Admiral Tsai."
The above telegram is the result of previous correspondence on the subject. The Admiral wrote me on April 10th in regard to his children as follows:
"My daughter, Yunkang, who is now IS years old and my son, Pokang, 15 years old, are booked to sail for the States via Seattle Aug. 12th on board the "President Jackson". They are not very advanced in their English studies and must first be tuitioned in some private or preparatory school before they go to school and college. My object in sending them to America is because I want them to acquire a thorough knowledge of the English language. While in America I want them to be surrounded by good moral influence. Neither do I want them to be living together with Chinese students and talk Chinese day and night. X should like them to live in some American home and be treated as we were treated, as a member of the family. The fault with many of
the returned students is that they have not a sound knowledge of English and know little of the spirit and soul of the American people. The strength of the American people rests in their religious and moral attitude. Take this foundation away and America would be little better than atheistic Russia.
"Can you place my children in some preparatory school or private home either in Washington or some small town of 20,000 or 30,000 inhabitants in New England, preferably Connecticut or Massachusetts? I should like them to live together for the first year or two. If you do this for me and let me know how much it requires for their expenses for a year X will mrke all necessary financial arrangements* China is now a Republic and without education a republic is a dangerous form of government for an ignorant mob.
"My daughter has short hair, but X like short hair better than I do short skirts."
The following is my reply, dated May 19th:
I have just received your letter of April 10th asking me to find suitable schools for your son and daughter. I am in perfect sympathy with your purpose to give to your children an American education such as you had the good fortune to get years ago. But since you were here ideas about education have changed a great deal in this country. Furthermore, the American Immigration Act of 1924, has made it rather hard for Chinese students to come to the United States although its provisions apply to all foreign students alike.
The requirements for a student applying for admission to the United States are: (1) that he must be at least 15 years old; (2) that he must have financial means to support himself as a student while in this country; and (3) that he must attend a school approved by the Department of Labor.
"Your boy and girl will have no difficulty in complying with the first two requirements. Arrangements will have to be made with some schools approved by the Department of Labor to enroll them as students before they can be admitted into the United States. I would suggest that you place the matter in the hands of Dr. Alfred L. Stearns, Principal of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, who, I am sure, will be able to place your boy and girl in suitable schools. I shall be glad to approach Dr. Stearns on the subject if you desire to have me do so.
"It is important also to furnish them with Section 6 Certificates as students, duly visaed by an American Consul. These certificates are issued by Commissioners of Foreign Affairs. If they are not provided with proper papers they will have trouble after their arrival in this country.
"As for allowance, I would suggest that you give each not less than $1,500.00 American currency a year. Of course when you were here you needed only about one third as much for expenses but times have changed since then."
This letter has doubtless just reached Admiral Tsai, and the following cablegram, received this morning, is his answer:
"Please request Stearns Andover admit my children Pokang and Yunkang as pupils cable me."
Very sincerely yours
Creator
Sao-Ke Alfred Sze
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
July 8, 1926
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Manuscripts. Correspondence.