The Fall of Nanking by James E. Shultz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 26, 1914

The Fall of Nanking

By James E. Shultz

(Continued)

JAMES E. SHULTZ

Soldiers were to be seen everywhere, but they treated us with marked civility. At last we came to the door of our chapel, over which was hanging an improvised American flag, which had been painted and hung there by our evangelist in the hope that looters would respect foreign property; but his hopes were vain. On entering, we were met by six men, one of whom was the evangelist. On recognizing us, all began talking most

excitedly concerning the experiences through which they had passed. The evangelist had taken the precaution to send his wife and mother-in-law to the Nanking University before the fall of the city, where they would be under the protection of Americans; nor was this precaution unwarranted, for it saved them from the fate of countless other poor women who were at the mercy of the debased soldiers.

Soon after the surrender of the city, a band of soldiers came and demanded that our brother give them what valuables he possessed. He complied, and they departed; but another band and still others came, until the place was looted four times. Finally, when nothing more was left, the soldiers began tearing up the floors to find whatever might possibly be hidden. Failing in this, one stepped up to our evangelist, whose wardrobe now consisted of only what he had on, and placing the muzzle of his rifle at his breast, demanded that he remove his shoes. This he did, and the soldiers made off with them, concluding that it was useless to continue the search. Despite all this, our evangelist did not complain, but rather took joyfully the spoiling of his goods that he might be accounted worthy to reign with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We later visited the university where our sisters had been entertained, to thank the officials for their kindness. There we were told how a band of looters came to the gate, where they were met by a brave missionary, whom they ordered to let them pass. He knew that hundreds of native women, as well as the property of the university, must be sacrificed if he complied, so he refused, at the risk of his life. Repeated threats failed to move him, and finally, concluding it would be unwise to kill an American, they disappeared. Twice they reappeared, each time to be met by the same brave man, who never left his post at the gate for thirty-six hours. By his heroism he saved the university from ruin, and hundreds of women from the most horrible indignities.

O, these poor Chinese women! Their lives are terrible at the best. Their advent into the world is the signal for bitter lamentation. They are bartered away to boy husbands as soon as they can be got rid of, who are either powerless or too indolent to shield them from the cruelty of their mothers-in-law, and then, as if they were not suffering enough, enduring all that flesh and blood are capable of enduring, they are signaled out by Satan to suffer from the most fiendish outrages during war. Far better for them could they suffer an honorable death upon the field of battle; but such is denied them. They must bear their cross of shame to Christless graves.

Our next visit was to Wendehli, the compound which was occupied by our foreign students last year. Here the household effects of Brother White were stored, while he, together with his family, spent the summer at the mountain. It soon became evident that the place must suffer the fate of others. The Chinese gateman had, during the past, become much attached to our people, and could not think of permitting the looting of Brother White's goods. He accordingly closed the gates and posted upon them notices that this was a branch of the American consulate. His ruse proved effective until help arrived. In this compound also lived the local Japanese postmaster, to whose presence is due the fact that the place was not finally looted. After the slaying of three Japanese in other parts of the city, marines were sent from the Japanese war vessels lying in the harbor, to protect him. When we arrived, we found thirty-nine of them quartered in the compound. Nothing had been molested, and they courteously informed us that they intended leaving as soon as we wished to occupy the buildings.

While no looting had been done here, evidences of the recent struggle were visible about the place. Rifle bullets had broken the windowpanes, while near the main entrance a six-inch shell had torn through the brick wall, entered the reception room, crashed through the next partition, thence it was deflected through the floor and into the cellar, where it failed to explode. Another small shell had struck one of the large doors, but failed to do much harm.

Shanghai.

(Concluded next week)