DARTMOUTH IN CHINA REPORTS CONTINUED PROGRESS

Several important chapters have been written during the past year in the history of the Dartmouth-in-China educational project which was started four years ago by the Dartmouth Christian Association when it sent $300 to H. W. Robinson '10 located at Paotingfu, North China.

The first development of the year was the formation of the Dartmouth-in-China Advisory Committee. The purpose of this group is to carry on correspondence with our representative. in China, assist in the College Chest drive and in the disbursement of funds assigned to the work in China, advise the undergraduate chairman who is on the Christian Association Cabinet and supervise the general educational work about the project here in Hanover. The members of this Committee are Professors E. B. Watson 'O2, Chairman, E. F. Clark 'Ol, A. B. Meservey 'O6, Treasurer, A. W. Vernon and Dr. W. E. Strong 'B2. The Graduate Secretary and the undergraduate chairman of this department, K. M. Beal '2B are ex-officio members of this Committee.

The second chapter took the form of a descriptive pamphlet which was published early last fall by the newly formed Advisory Committee. A brief description of the country around Paotingfu, the people, the educational possibilities and the small way in which Dartmouth is helping the people in the district to improve them, was contained in this folder. These were delivered to the students on campus and were also sent to many friends and alumni known through the Christian Association.

The third development came as a result of the contributions made by the Christian Association and the College Chest last year. Mr. Robinson makes the following statement in his report regarding this gift: "Through the generous help of the Dartmouth Christian Association which contributed $l4BO gold for educational work in Paotingfu this last year the school was able to add sufficient dormitory rooms for the highest class of last year. So we now have a complete Junior Middle School course. The enrollment during the autumn was over 240 and throughout the year the school has met all the running expenses and has helped to pay the salary of one teacher." This year the sum of $2lOO will be forwarded to Mr. Robinson as the joint gift of the College Chest and the Christian Association.

It is interesting to read in this same report from Mr. Robinson of the progress being made in the rural sections around Paotingfu where the simplified 1000 character alphabet is being introduced. This is an experiment in the general mass education movement and it is being watched with great interest. Literature written in the 1000 character alphabet will now be available for these people in the rural sections who have completed the preliminary course of study.

Conditions have been very unsettled around Paotingfu during the past few months, due to the movements of the conflicting armies. The natives have suffered the loss of much grain and money due to the demands of these opposing forces. In spite of the element of uncertainty which continues to exist as long as the armies are in the field, Mr, Robinson reports. "The relationships between ourselves and our Chinese colleagues have been more friendly and deep rooted these last few months than ever before in the experience of most of us."