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The Fall of Nanking

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 19, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 8.

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The Fall of Nanking

By James E. Shultz

JAMES E. SHULTZ
SooN after arriving in China, by request I accompanied Dr. Selmon to Nanking to ascertain conditions which our recruits would of necessity meet should they attend the language school in that place during the coming year. The city had just surrendered to the government forces after a protracted siege, and the railroad announced that it would resume traffic with the unfortunate city September 11. Accordingly, we left Shanghai on the afternoon of the same day.
The scenery en route to Nanking was indeed beautiful, and we were repeatedly impressed with the fertility of the soil. The Chinese agriculturist faces no such problems as does his Japanese neighbor; for, in the first place, he does not have such a proposition as mountain soil; and secondly, his soil is more responsive to cultivation. His greatest handicap seems to be the presence of innumerable graves, the land occupied by which, I am persuaded, if brought under cultivation would solve the problem of feeding China's poor; for these graves mark the resting places of China's millions for centuries.
On leaving Shanghai, our train was crowded; but as we continued our journey, nearly all the passengers left us, apparently not anxious to see Nanking. Another disturbing feature was that refugees were passing us by hundreds on freight as well as on passenger trains. Entire freight trains had been requisitioned and were packed to the doors with refugees, who were able to carry all they still possessed in a small bundle. Old and young of both sexes were huddled together indiscriminately, presenting a picture of abject despair.
At seven in the evening our train was stopped and searched for contraband, but we were not molested. One hour later we could plainly see the lurid flames of the burning city. Soon we alighted at what had been a beautiful outer city. Idle soldiers were everywhere, dressed in a variety of uniforms, apparently under no control. Outside the railroad station, all was charredruins. Customhouse, post office, and foreign hotels met the fate of the meanest huts. Desolation stared us in the face, and for a time baffled our efforts to find lodging for the night. However, after walking through scenes such as I have described, we came to a foreign house occupied by the family of an English gentleman, whose hotel had been burned. They had escaped with only their lives, and their excited description of what had happened, together with their prophecies of what would take place, were rather distracting. Nevertheless, despite the noise in the streets, the wakefulness of the populace, the tread of numerous bands of soldiers, we committed ourselves to the God whose eyes "run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of them" that love him, and retired to enjoy a most refreshing sleep.
We were up with the dawn the next morning, and after preparing breakfast and committing ourselves to God, we took the train to the main city. The track runs under the main wall of the city, and this entrance had been closed during the siege; but it was now open, permitting us to enter without delay. To our left rose majestically Purple Mountain, strongly fortified, whose works were taken and retaken four times by the besieging army, as it was the most strategic point for the defense or capture of the city. It was here that a large number of men on both sides were lost. On alighting at the president's yamen we saw in evidence numerous flags of the victorious general, but none of the republic. It seemed very strange to me, but I supposed it was because I was a newcomer and not accustomed to Oriental usages.
Our first anxiety was for our chapel, which we knew to be situated in the storm center. Word had also been received that it was looted, and having observed what had been done elsewhere, we were apprehensive for the welfare of our Chinese evangelist and family. Fire had not visited this section, but what it had the looters had taken, so the inhabitants were just as destitute.
On our way we passed wheelbarrows, carts, jinrikishas, and carriages loaded with people, not to mention numberless pedestrians, all making their way toward the gates of the city, intent upon leaving, having been agitated by impossible rumors which could gain currency only in a beleaguered or fallen city. But why not go? All they possessed in this world was gone, or if not gone, it served only to mark them for the looters, as one case in point will prove.
A good man and his family, gardeners by trade, who had succeeded in getting a comfortable home, for this country, were visited by looters. The man, anticipating such a visit, had everything in readiness and invited the intruders to partake of a wholesome feast with him. They did so, and he dined them royally. After the repast, they announced their mission and demanded a large sum of money. He readily gave them all hehad, but they were not satisfied, and insisted that they must have more. He protested his inability to furnish more, and when torture failed to produce it, they struck off his head.
Shanghai.