107
Foreign Mission Board Rooms
November 11, I9I4.8
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at luOO p.m.
on Thursday, November 11, with Qr. Nickerson presiding.
Present: Mrs. P. Earl ’.Vood, Mrs. Paul LaRoque, Hyde V. Nickerson,
J. G. Loving, T. Rupert Coleman, J. Levering Evans, Oscar L. Hite,
Mrs. Simeon Atkinson, John C. Williams, Reuben E. Alley, M. T. Rankin,
G. XI. Sadler, Everett Gill, Jr., Frank K. Means, S. E. Maddox, Fon H.
Scofield, E. P. Buxton, Josef Nordenhaug, L0uis P. Seay, Edna Frances
Dawkins, Marjorie E. Moore, Mary M. Hunter, Gene Greer.
Dr. Coleman led in prayer.
Dr. Rankin gave the report of the Executive Secretary. Ke told of the
disturbing conditions in China, stating that the situation was similar
to that of
19Ц1
before the outbreak of the war with Japan, and that the
Board is following the same policy as was followed at that time of de¬
pending on our representatives on the field to make decisions concern¬
ing the evacuation of threatened areas. The position taken by Dr.
Baker James Cauthen, Sec retag;’- for the Orient is indicated by the fol¬
lowing letter:
"With the defeat of the Government in Manchuria as climaxed in the fall
of Mukden yesterday, strong advices have been given to Americans living
in Peiping to evacuate immediately. At noon yesterday this advice was
given to American nationals through the consular authorities.
"The breakdown in Manchuria was so swift that it is impossible to
speculate cn how conditions may develop in Peking. Until yesterday,
it had been our position that we would encourage our missionaries in
the Language School to stay on through the remainder of this first
semester. This position had been taken on the assumption that the
seise of Mukden would last some weeks or possibly some months and then
an interval would elapse before serious pressure could be exerted in the
Peking area. The Manchuria disaster is so severe, however, as to leave
the situation in North China veiy uncertain. It is possible the Peking
area may remain unmolested for some time, but it is also possible that
developments could come to a crisis in that section at any early date.
"’Ye have in Peking thirteen missionaries of our Board with seven small
children and another expected to be bom in January. Vie feel it would
not be the part of wisdom to expose these young people to the risk of
seige or Communist occupation. Y/e also feel that it would not be wise
to delay their evacuation until the last moment when facilities might
be unavailable and an air of panic prevail.
"’Ye have accordingly advised then to leave Peking at this time. Plans
are unde may to bring our entire group from Peking back to Shanghai early
next week.
"This ’Till mean a serious break in the Language Study of these
пет /
people but fortunately most of the group have already had a good intro¬
duction to the study of Chinese. Only the Turlingtons and the Stuarts
are actually beginning their study this semester. I think we can work
out plans satisfactorily for tin an to continue their work even though
they are not in the Language School.
"I am passing this word on to you no that you may know’ that plans al¬
ready are underway for the safety of these young people. I ’Till notify
you wrhen they have arrived in Shanghai and I am sure their families ’Till
be lad to have word concerning their safety.
"While I think it is possible that Peking would remain undisturbed for
some months, I do not believe we are justified in running the risk of
leaving these new people’ in the city under prevailing circumstances.
