Letter, December 7, 1945

Arthur G. Robinson’s December 7, 1945, letter to Joseph Coburn Smith reflects his effort to identify Carl Song from Wayland Academy Principal Edward H. Clayton’s Heaven Below with the Colby alumnus recorded as Chin Foh Sung. Robinson explains that Song, Sung, and Soong could represent different romanizations of the same Chinese surname, and he argues that the person in the book was likely the same Colby man. The letter also shows Robinson’s broader concern with Colby alumni in China after World War II, especially figures connected to missionary, educational, and YMCA work. He urges Smith to seek news about Colby men in China, including Song and Li Shu Jan, and mentions Dana’s wartime service and return to Tientsin. In the postscript, Robinson turns to collecting historical souvenirs for the Xi Centennial, showing his interest in preserving Colby’s institutional memory.

Transcription

Page 1

December 7, 1945.

Dear Joe:-

In looking over some old correspondence I came across a letter from you which apparently I have not answered. It is dated March 15 and asked about Carl Song, who was mentioned several times in a book
on China “Heaven Below”. I enclose my carbon of the quotations which I sent you previously. Please return a copy for my files. It seems to me there’s no question but that Carl Song is the Sung in your alumni files. The latter is the proper romanization in North China and most Manderin speaking sections – about ¾ of the country, by the way – but it has been spelled Soong also, as in the case of the famous sisters.

It would seem to me you might well, now that the war is over and attention is so much centered on China, send out a special search for news about Colby’s men in China; e.g. Sung, Li Su (Li Shu Jan) et al.
To give you a starter, I enclose a copy of a letter to Dana which may interest you and some of your readers. Dana’s work was a secret, even from us, until after the Japanese surrender. He doesn’t yet know of
[this] “commendation”. He is now back in Tientsin in North-China, his “home town”, which he left eight years ago as a boy of fourteen. He has written an interesting squib “China Boy Returns Home”, which I will show you some day.

    [signature]
    Fraternally yours

P.S. Do you think that for the Xi Centennial an exhibit of souvenirs would be interesting? I have thought of sending out a call for such and organizing the thing? It might bring in some useful historical
material.

Page 2

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HEALTH SEAL SALE

NEWTON FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS
in cooperation with the
NEWTON TUBERCULOSIS AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION
affiliated with the
MASSACHUSETTS TUBERCULOSIS LEAGUE, INC.

NEWTON TUBERCULOSIS AND HEALTH
ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS

Dr. Henry H. Chadwick, President
Dr. Alton S. Pope, First Vice-President
Mrs. Richard B. Carter, Second Vice-President
Miss Adelaide M. Ball, Secretary
Mr. Roland V. Gammon, Treasurer

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dr. Ernest M. Morris
Dr. Raymond S. Pattinson
Mrs. W. F. M. Fawcett
Mrs. H. Clayton Pearson
Mrs. Robert S. Booth
Mrs. L. Gale Whittimore, Executive Secretary

NEWTON FEDERATION OF
WOMEN’S CLUBS

Miss Adelaide M. Ball, President

SEAL SALE COMMITTEE

Mrs. [Marion/Marcus] R. [Nason], General Chairman

VILLAGE CHAIRMEN

Mrs. J. [Guirne/Guerine] [M???], Newton
Miss [Cora/Cora L.] [Rogers], Newton Centre
Mrs. [Elsie/Ellen] [Glines], Newton Highlands
Mrs. Harry W. [White], Waban
Mrs. A. G. [Robinson], Auburndale
Mrs. [Elliott/Raymond] [K???], West Newton
Mrs. J. G. Allen, Nonantum
Mrs. Norman W. [Murray], Newton Upper Falls
Mrs. L. Gale Whittimore
Newton Lower Falls
Chestnut Hill

REHABILITATION WORKER

Miss Anne Gray

YOUR CONFIDENCE IN US MEANS OUR SUCCESS

In this year of victory, there still rages a battle which permits no fond dreams of reconversion to peace time pursuits — the battle against tuberculosis.

Christmas Seals finance a program to teach the value of health — Education for prevention of tuberculosis, the rehabilitation after infection.

May we count on you, who have so generously helped in the past, to accept the enclosed Seals, and affix them to your holiday mail, both personal and business. The Seals are $1.00 per sheet.

    Sincerely,

    Marian R. Robinson

    (Mrs. Arthur G. Robinson)       Local Chairman.

Make check payable to Frank L. Richardson, Treasurer