Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun, Tientsin June 22, 1932
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun, Tientsin June 22, 1932
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to C.Y. Sun, Tientsin June 22, 1932
Transcription
June 22, 1932
Mr. C. Y. Sun
44 Cambridge Road
Tientsin, China
Dear Mr. Sun,
Your good letter of May 2 was duly received. Shortly afterwards I was advised by the national City Bank of New York of their wish to withdraw at your request and in your behalf the balance of the funds which I have been holding for you here in Andover. I am consequently enclosing herewith the notice from the Andover Bank indicating that my check for $6,328.82 had been cancelled, and the statement from the National City Bank of New York indicating that the amount in question had been paid.
You will note that the amount finally remitted is larger by $113.03 than the amount shown on my earlier report. This additional money represents the interest received from our local bank on $6,000. deposited by me in the Savings department on receipt last fall of your request that I should hold your balance here for some time, awaiting further instructions. I am only sorry that I did not feel justified in holding out three weeks longer so that I could have received an additional $50., or thereabouts, due on the next quarter and paid July 1st. Your instructions, however, and the notice from the National City Bank of New York were of such a character that I did not feel that X could properly assume this responsibility; so I sent along what I had with the accommodation noted.
I can’t begin to thank you for the clear-cut and illuminating statement that you have given me of the background after the Japanese activities in China. That Japan has been doing seems too incredible almost to believe, and yet the facts are there and speak for themselves. Only a moment ago Professor Forbes, of our Faculty, who was present at the Brown College Commencement, told me an incident which will illustrate the general feeling of the American public towards the Japanese at this time. President Barbour of Brown College had just returned from a trip to the Far Bast and undertook to tell the audience of the exceptionally friendly treatment accorded him by Japanese officials. Forbes says that he misjudged completely the temper of his audience, for his announcement was received in silence and one elderly man was heard to remark; "I guess he doesn’t appreciate what we have come to think of the Japanese since he was last here." Sometimes I wonder whether any of us can truly call ourselves civilized in these strenuous times. Certainly there is a long and difficult road ahead before we have obtained anything that savors of the true brotherhood of man, of which we so casually and glibly talk in our moments of idealism. All the harder, therefore, must those of us who profess more than a lip service to those ideals work for their ultimate attainment.
The news of the children is welcome indeed, for I shall always think of them in a very real sense as members of my own family. I am delighted especially to learn that Mary has offered her services for hospital work, service for which there must have been a tremendous demand at that time. Remember me to than all, please, and give them my friendliest and heartiest greetings and good wishes. I rejoice also to learn of your own improved health.
With sincere and constant good will and with warmest hope that, even though the children no longer furnish the intimate contacts of old. I may still be privileged to keep in touch with the various members of the Sun family and their doings, believe me with kindest personal regards
Very sincerely yours.
Mr. C. Y. Sun
44 Cambridge Road
Tientsin, China
Dear Mr. Sun,
Your good letter of May 2 was duly received. Shortly afterwards I was advised by the national City Bank of New York of their wish to withdraw at your request and in your behalf the balance of the funds which I have been holding for you here in Andover. I am consequently enclosing herewith the notice from the Andover Bank indicating that my check for $6,328.82 had been cancelled, and the statement from the National City Bank of New York indicating that the amount in question had been paid.
You will note that the amount finally remitted is larger by $113.03 than the amount shown on my earlier report. This additional money represents the interest received from our local bank on $6,000. deposited by me in the Savings department on receipt last fall of your request that I should hold your balance here for some time, awaiting further instructions. I am only sorry that I did not feel justified in holding out three weeks longer so that I could have received an additional $50., or thereabouts, due on the next quarter and paid July 1st. Your instructions, however, and the notice from the National City Bank of New York were of such a character that I did not feel that X could properly assume this responsibility; so I sent along what I had with the accommodation noted.
I can’t begin to thank you for the clear-cut and illuminating statement that you have given me of the background after the Japanese activities in China. That Japan has been doing seems too incredible almost to believe, and yet the facts are there and speak for themselves. Only a moment ago Professor Forbes, of our Faculty, who was present at the Brown College Commencement, told me an incident which will illustrate the general feeling of the American public towards the Japanese at this time. President Barbour of Brown College had just returned from a trip to the Far Bast and undertook to tell the audience of the exceptionally friendly treatment accorded him by Japanese officials. Forbes says that he misjudged completely the temper of his audience, for his announcement was received in silence and one elderly man was heard to remark; "I guess he doesn’t appreciate what we have come to think of the Japanese since he was last here." Sometimes I wonder whether any of us can truly call ourselves civilized in these strenuous times. Certainly there is a long and difficult road ahead before we have obtained anything that savors of the true brotherhood of man, of which we so casually and glibly talk in our moments of idealism. All the harder, therefore, must those of us who profess more than a lip service to those ideals work for their ultimate attainment.
The news of the children is welcome indeed, for I shall always think of them in a very real sense as members of my own family. I am delighted especially to learn that Mary has offered her services for hospital work, service for which there must have been a tremendous demand at that time. Remember me to than all, please, and give them my friendliest and heartiest greetings and good wishes. I rejoice also to learn of your own improved health.
With sincere and constant good will and with warmest hope that, even though the children no longer furnish the intimate contacts of old. I may still be privileged to keep in touch with the various members of the Sun family and their doings, believe me with kindest personal regards
Very sincerely yours.
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
June 22, 1932
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence