Notes
- Mikhail Markovitch Borodin (1884-1953); Russian diplomat and political advisor to the Kuomintang. Leader of the Communist faction which was established at Hankow 1924-27. Broke with Chiang Kai Shek and forced to return to Russia in 1927.
- William Rowley (1867-1954) was born at Newport in Shropshire. He trained at Headingley College and joined the China Mission in 1899. He spent his entire active ministry in the Hupeh district and was successful in building up a flourishing mission. In his later years in China, Rowley was one of the champions of the policy of encouraging the development of Chinese leadership. Rowley retired in 1937 but remained in China. He was interned at Shanghai during the war and after the Communist victory in the civil war with the Nationalists, he reluctantly returned to England where he made his home in Scunthorpe. Source: Minutes of Conference 1954 and Methodist Recorder April 22 1954.
From Shengking 'above Wuhu' [en-route to Hankow by steamer along the Yangtze river]. The Christmas has been very hectic here. Many meetings in chapels have been broken up and it is evident that the 'forces of agitation have been given a lot of rope'.
On the eve of leaving Shanghai, he received word of attacks on the Roman Catholic Mission in Shasi and Yangsin and that the Bishop had recalled his men. It was learned on arrival in Nangking that Wuhu was looted yesterday by [the Nationalist General] Sun Chuan-fang's soldiers who are short of pay - 'doubtless the thing was engineered by agitators'. Last night there was an attempt by a mob to rush Kingkiang but the assault was repulsed by British sailors and one coolie was bayonetted. This evening they learned that British forces have evacuated Hankow without a shot being fired and that the Nationalists are now in possession. Women and children have been ordered out of Yuchang, Kiukiang and Hantpow. There is a wireless receiving set on board but nothing is coming through except morse code. What they shall discover at Kiukiang and Hankow remains to be seen. They have been playing chess and draughts for want of something to do.
He is pleased that there has been no more useless bloodshed. He doesn't expect that [Mikhail Markovitch] Borodin [Russian advisor] expected to walk out peacefully. H B R is hoping that [William] Rowley [appointed to Wuchang] is getting everyone in from the country.
Good and not evil will eventually come out of this. It is a time for brain rather than force. Have they the brains needed?.
He is glad that Emily and the children are safely at home and that many others are on furlough. The future is unknown.
He shall have to press on for Hankow.