Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, March 30, 1926
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, March 30, 1926
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Hon. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze, March 30, 1926
Description
Typed letter sent from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. Discuss cablegram from Mr. Sun about his change in decision regarding Mary's education. Believes outside influence affected this change in decision. States if Mary returns to Abbot he would give up guardianship of all the Sun children. Also states he reluctant to do that as there are no suitable guardians. Is trying to arrange a Washington visit for Charlie or Arthur.
Transcription
March 30, 1926
Hon. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze
Chinese Legation
Washington, D.C.
My dear Dr Sze:
I am enclosing a copy of the cablegram received from Mr. Sun to which I referred in my recent conversation with you. It bears the date, as you will note, Tientsin, March 19, 1926, and refers definitely to my letter, a copy of which you recently read. Evidently the letter must have gone through to Tientsin in record time. I am equally sure, however, that same other communication from outsiders and of which I know nothing personally must have gone through also and played their part in influencing Mr. Sun to seemingly change his mind a hit.
On the other hand, you will note, that he is cautious not to insist on the further change; merely suggesting that the return to Abbot be made. The more I have thought over the situation, the more convinced I am that, if Mary were to return to Abbot under the circumstances, it would be essential for me to surrender my guardianship not only of her but of the other children, for it would be clear that I should no longer exercise any worth-while authority over them. If I could only think of the right person to whom to surrender this trust, I should be strongly disposed to do it in any case; but I am equally clear that to allow any of those who have so recently and so unfairly interfered with a matter which really did not belong to them to handle and in regard to which they could not possibly have fully add proper information would be most unfortunate for all concerned and not least of all for Mary herself.
I seem to be having some difficulty in arranging for one of the boys to accept your most friendly invitation for the visit to Washington. Arthur has no regular vacation of any length, while Charlie, whose vacation begins this week, had made plans for one of his friends in a western college to spend the vacation with him in Amhest and is very much distressed to know just what to do under the circumstances. I am writing both of the boys to day and shall hope to be able to find a way for one of them, at least, to pass a day or two with him if a longer period seems out of the question.
Assuring you of my generous appreciation of the friendly and valuable help you have given me in meeting a very trying and perplexing situation and with kind personal regards, believe me
Very sincerely yours.
Hon. Sao-Ke Alfred Sze
Chinese Legation
Washington, D.C.
My dear Dr Sze:
I am enclosing a copy of the cablegram received from Mr. Sun to which I referred in my recent conversation with you. It bears the date, as you will note, Tientsin, March 19, 1926, and refers definitely to my letter, a copy of which you recently read. Evidently the letter must have gone through to Tientsin in record time. I am equally sure, however, that same other communication from outsiders and of which I know nothing personally must have gone through also and played their part in influencing Mr. Sun to seemingly change his mind a hit.
On the other hand, you will note, that he is cautious not to insist on the further change; merely suggesting that the return to Abbot be made. The more I have thought over the situation, the more convinced I am that, if Mary were to return to Abbot under the circumstances, it would be essential for me to surrender my guardianship not only of her but of the other children, for it would be clear that I should no longer exercise any worth-while authority over them. If I could only think of the right person to whom to surrender this trust, I should be strongly disposed to do it in any case; but I am equally clear that to allow any of those who have so recently and so unfairly interfered with a matter which really did not belong to them to handle and in regard to which they could not possibly have fully add proper information would be most unfortunate for all concerned and not least of all for Mary herself.
I seem to be having some difficulty in arranging for one of the boys to accept your most friendly invitation for the visit to Washington. Arthur has no regular vacation of any length, while Charlie, whose vacation begins this week, had made plans for one of his friends in a western college to spend the vacation with him in Amhest and is very much distressed to know just what to do under the circumstances. I am writing both of the boys to day and shall hope to be able to find a way for one of them, at least, to pass a day or two with him if a longer period seems out of the question.
Assuring you of my generous appreciation of the friendly and valuable help you have given me in meeting a very trying and perplexing situation and with kind personal regards, believe me
Very sincerely yours.
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
March 30, 1926
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence