P.S.Fang's Father's Letter to Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Fang's father says P.S.Fang has a study trip in Phillips Academy thanks to the introduction of S.Y.Hu. He asks Dr.Stearns to give an exception to Fang and return some of the tuition. He understands it should not have been returned but his son doesn't study in the school for long time so he asks Dr.Stearns to return some of the money.
P.S.Fang's Father's Letter to Dr. Stearns
P.S. Fang's father asks Dr.Alfred Stearns to return some of tuition and give the money to S.Y.Hu.
Letter from Wellington Chu and P.S. Fang to Dr. A.E. Stearns, September 18, 1920
Handwritten letter from Wellington Chu and P.S. Fang to Dr. A.E. Stearns announcing their arrival at San Francisco and their planned departure for Andover shortly. Expect to arrive at Andover no later than the 27th and look forward to their arrival.
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu, October 1, 1920
Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu informing him of the sudden and unannounced departure of Chu and Fang from Phillips Academy. Expresses lament over the boys' departure and requests that Hu, who has an interest in the boys' well-being, try and steer the boys onto a better path.
18 October, 1920 Mr. S.Y.Hu Northwestern University Evanston, Ill. My dear Mr. Hu: I am sorry indeed to have to report that your plans for your fellow students from Nan Kai College have gone badly astray and that your generous efforts in behalf of these boys hare seemingly been misplaced. As I wrote you some time ago, our friend, Pih, gained admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where I hope he will be able to maintain a proper pace. His companions, Chu and Fang, s eased very much unsettled here for the first few days of their stay. Chu was extremely homesick and was in the infirmary for several days, finally he was persuaded by other Chinese boys to get out of bed and go about the usual school activities, with the result that the homesickness promptly disappeared. I saw both of the boys frequently after that time and found them in the best of spirits and apparently happy and contented. During the latter part of the past week I was compelled to be out of town and on my return, learned, to my surprise, that Messrs. Chu and Fang had suddenly left school without notifying any of us of their intentions or securing the necessary official permission to withdraw. The other Chinese boys were so disturbed by what had occurred that they sent two of their representatives to Boston to hunt up the boys and bring then back. This they did. We were not able to change the minds of there wanderers, however, and though I talked with them at length I could only secure from them the statements that they found the work too hard and proposed to leave. This last attitude is a bit interesting, in view of the fact that their first dissatisfaction was attributed by them to their belief that the work here would be altogether too easy and that they ought to be in a higher institution. Under the circumstance I could do nothing but allow the boys to withdraw; though I assured them that in all my dealing with Chinese boys for the past twenty years, this was the first instance that had come to my attention where there seemed to be an utter lack of appreciation of what their friends here had attempted to do for them and a willingness to adopt high-handed methods of procedure which in themselves showed complete lack of proper and gentlemanly conduct. The other Chinese boys in the school felt so strongly on this score that they held an indignation meeting and drew up a statement expressing their keen regret and offering their apologies for this unseenly and unjustified conduct on the part of their countrymen. I am writing to you frankly, for I know of your keen interest in these boys and your desire to haws them at Andover. From all I can gather, some outside influence has been at work to make the boys discontinued. I understand that they are planning to stay in Boston for a time, that they have already engaged rooms there, and that they are talking of entering Boston University or some other institution, the standards of admission to which are not of the highest, later in the year. I cannot help feeling that such a course would be about the worst thing that the boys could possibly do, for they need the discipline and routine of regular school life and are not likely to gain anything of value by hanging around a large city at this stage of their American careers. Of course I have not the slightest desire that the boys should return to Andover so long as they are satisfied that they cannot be happy here. I hope, however, that they can be persuaded to take a little different view of their obligation opportunities in this country and will not spoil their chances of successful careers, as some other Chinese boys have done in the past, by refusing to meet those standards and requirements which we expect of our own American students and which the large majority of Chinese students have most willingly accepted as necessary and wise. Very sincerely yours,
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu, October 22, 1920
Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu thanking Hu for sending him his letter received from Chu and Fang concerning their departure from Phillips Academy. Desire to uncover the real facts concerning their departure, and requests that Hu share him any more information he has regarding it.
22 October, 1920 Mr. S.Y.Hu 1006 Ayars Place Evanston, Ill. My daer Mr. Hu: I am grateful to you for sending me the letter of Messrs. Chu and Fang, written to you short before they left us. The boys here are still at a loss to account for the unusual action of these two boys; but they all seem pretty well agreed that some outside of influence has been at work. As a matter of curiosity, if for no other reason, I should be glad to learn the real facts if you are ever able to secure them. Very sincerely,
Letter from S.Y. Hu to Dr. A.E. Stearns, October 19, 1920
Handwritten letter from S.Y. Hu to Dr. A.E. Stearns regarding the departure of Chu and Fang from Phillips Academy. Hu includes the letter he received from Chu and Fang regarding their departure.
Letter from Wellington Chu, P.S. Fang to Dr. Stearns, October 16, 1920
Handwritten letter from Wellington Chu and P.S. Fang to Dr. Stearns announcing their plan to leave the school shortly to due their academic difficulties.
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Paul Reinsch, December 2, 1920
Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to Dr. Paul Reinsch expressing his dilemma over the return of tuition, room, and board to Chu and Fang. Stearns feels that a good portion of the money should be returned given the students' short stay at Andover, but feels that since the students are going against their parents' best wishes in leaving the school to seek education out West, the money wouldn't be spent wisely.
December 2, 1920 Dr. Paul Reinsch Southern Building Washington D.C. My dear Dr. Reinsch: Since my last letter to you I have been wondering just what ought to be done with the money naturally due Messrs Chu and Fang in the way of rebate. When the boys first came to us they made the customary payment on room, board and tuition. In view of their short stay, and although they put us to very serious inconvenience in some ways by their erratic actions. I cannot help feeling that a good part of this money should be returned. I have hesitated, however, to send it to the boys direct, because I have felt that they were not carrying out their parents’s wishes at the time, and that it would not be wise for them to have on hand any more free spending money than necessary. A letter received only yesterday and signed by both of the beys, tells me that they have been tutoring in Boston, but that owing to the high costs of things there they have decided to go west and enter some small college probably after Christmas. I am afraid these two youngsters need at this moment a pretty stiff hand over them if they are not to make a bad mess of their American life and education. I shall deeply appreciate any suggestions you may care to make as to the proper disposition of the money in question. Very sincerely yours.
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu, November 29, 1920
Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to S.Y. Hu expressing his regret concerning Chu and Fang's departure from Phillips Academy for private tutoring in Boston in the hopes of attending Boston University, an "easy" university Stearns feels is not academically rigorous enough. Catches Hu up on various Chinese students currently at Phillips Academy and talks briefly on the politics and government of China.
November 29, 1920 1003 Ayars Place Evanston Illinois My dear Mr. Hu: Let me thank you for your most interesting letter of November 24th. The Chinese boys now here give me reports from time to time of Messrs Chu and Fan, and it is apparently the consensus of opinion that these two wanderers are making a sad mistake and are not realizing to the full, here in America, the high ideals and purposes which supposedly prompted them to come to this country. I understand they are tutoring in Boston. With whom and how ofter I cannot say, and for the purpose of entering Boston University later. While it is not my place to criticise, Boston University does not, of course, rank with our best colleges and scientific schools to which the majority of our Chinese visitors naturally look for the education desired. I cannot help feeling that Boston University, in this instance, is selected because it offers an easier read for the two boys in question. 1 have been having some correspondence recently with Dr, Paul Reinsch, who tells me that he is a close friend of Chu’s father and is interested in the boy’s American career. Dr. Reinsch was very much surprised that the boys had left Andover and I imagine that he may endeavor to use his influence to direct them sanely in their plans for the future. The other Chinese boys here are all doing well and showing find spirit. The Suns, as you probably know, are all members of my household. Arthur, the oldest, is doing good work at Phillips Academy. The two younger boys and their sister are attending the public schools. You have certainly sized up young Thomas when you say that he is “naughty at times”. He has a most astounding temper, which makes one fear that he may commit murder when the attack is on, but he soon gets over attacks of this kind and appears to be genuinely sorry for any damage resulting from the storm in question. I am beginning to wonder, however, whether it will not be better for these two younger boys to be separated next term and placed in schools where they will be subject to definite rules and school regulations. The reaction from the rather confined life at home seems to have been a bit too much for their immature minds, and it is a real problem to make them appreciate the fact that there are definite duties that must be done and definite rules to be obeyed in this free land to which they have so recently come. I have read with the deepest interest what you have to say about China and her present needs. You seem to have sized up the situation very fairly and sanely, and I only wish that all of the Chinese students who have come to us could see things in the same broad light, and would act with courage and firmness towards the accomplishment of these ends, by which China alone can be saved and her future welfare assured. Unfortunately I cannot help believing that a good number of the former students, at least, have not lived up to their opportunities in helping to settle their country’s difficulties. They have been inclined to assume a position of importance and authority without being willing to give into hard work and render the unselfish service necessary to justify their position and to make possible the solution of the nation’s problems. If you are ever in this part of the country be sure to look me up. In the mean time accept my heartiest wishes for success and happiness in your life and work. I shall doubtless be in Chicago before the year is over and in that case I shall hope to see you. Sincerely yours.
Letter from S.Y. Hu to Dr. A.E. Stearns, November 24, 1920
Typed letter from S.Y. Hu to Dr. A.E. Stearns giving him an update on Chu and Fang and asking Stearns for information regarding various Chinese students studying at Phillips Academy. Catches Stearns up on recent political and economic developments in China as well.
1008 Ayars Place Evanston, Ill., Nov. 24, 1920 Dr. A. E. Stearns Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. My dear Dr. Stearns: I have received both of your letters of October 18 and 22 for which please accept my best thanks. Please excuse the delay in answering. To-morrow is our Thanksgiving Holiday so I take this opportunity to write you a letter. First of all I wish you a most enjoyable Thanksgiving tomorrow. I have been invited out to a Thanksgiving Dinner by the College YMCA here eo I anticipate to have some nice turkey and cranberry to eat then. Allow me to tell you some thing about the two restless boys,Chu and Fang, who after a few weeks’ private study found that they might not be able to get into the Boston University next Spring thus causing them to think of coming over to some small college in the Mid-West but I am afraid that might act thotless again and I really do not know what to do with them. I wish they could see their follies and reform. How about other new Chinese boys there? I know the Sun Boys and their sister. One of the Sun boys, Thomas,is naughty at times. How is Lee Tsoo Yung? I insisted on his entering your school when we were on the boat coming over. He is a brilliant boy and I like him. I believe all of them could do first-rate work if they only try their best. Please remember me to all of them and ask them to write me at their convenience. I would like to hear from them regarding their experiences there. Their experiences if told must be quite interesting. Thanks! I stand by strict "discipline" in the practical sense of the word with the High School boys who need it badly and on which their future as useful citizens depends. China must feel very grateful to you for your invaluable services to her sons at this time-time of regeneration in more ways than one. Let me tell you briefly what heart-rending news I have heard from China regarding both of her political status and her economic status at present. Politically China has been worse than ever as some of the older factions with an idea to get even with newer factions have been trying desperately to put up another monarchy instead of Republic. The latest news I had was that China is now having both an emperor and a president at the same time. Would that be too awful to tolerate? Besides a terrible famine has been raging in several of the provinces in the North of China especially Honan, Chili and Shangtung provinces. All the students in China now have been devoting their time and energy in the Famine Relief Work. The Chinese Students here in America have been doing the same and I have been elected as the chairman of the publicity committee here but I have not done very much yet, pending further instructions from the Central Board at New York. What China needs most is her capacity for both political and social cooperation as Mr. Goodnow, former adviser to the Chinese president and now the president of Johns Hopkins University, has once so well-said. His remarks will get more and more sacred as the days go by. If China does not hurry up to effect a union China’s future as a nation would be unthinkable. I have been perfectly frank with you in my report of China at the present time because I realize to the full that you do have China’s best interests at heart. God knows what is best for China at this time but "God only helps those who help themselves’’. You know that I am entirely dependent on my personal resources while studying here . I have secured a little work in one of the tea rooms here and I have been putting in two or three hours everyday in the work and I do enjoy in it. I believe that it is the difficult loads that make for manhood and in bearing than we grow to the full stature of our manhood. To all my senses American people is hard-working people and that alone has been impressing me more and more. With every good wish, I am. Respectfully yours,