1910

How does a retired American Missionary, after 35 years of service in China (two years under Communism) view current events in that land? We have our own Rev. HaroldRobinson, now living in California, who fits this role, and we have some of his observations:

Red Guard activities: "It looks as though Mao and his comrades are afraid that the spirit of sacrifice and plain living is dying in China and they are having to turn to the youth of.the land to come to their rescue. That may prove to be a dangerous ally for young people in China like other lands can be aroused to action easily but they also get out of hand at times and lead off in directions quite different from what they are expected to do."

A Chinese proverb: "Don't be afraid of going slowly, only be afraid of standing still." "The very fact that our military authorities publicly state that the war is likely to last for years must be encouraging to China.... She believes that she is winning in Viet Nam and is glad to have us there where she can help that little country chew us up without costing China very much. She knows that the image of USA is getting more and more tarnished in the countries of Asia as they see how the strongest nation on earth is spending millions in money and thousands in human lives and cannot win a military victory."

Government vs. People? "When we left China in 1950, after having lived under the Communists for two years, the Communist policemen who handed me the exit visa, said 'This international situation has nothing to do with you personally and when you get to your country tell the American people that the Chinese people still think of them as their friends.' I believe that was true. The Communist government distinguishes between the American people and the American government just as we distinguish between the Chinese Communist government and the Chinese people. Most of the Chinese people are not Communists."

Did USA fumble a chance in the Chinese Civil War? "We were afraid of Communism and fear can cause serious mistakes. Another mistake is that we thought that Communism can be stopped with military force and the last eleven years have demonstrated that the more military force we use in Viet Nam the more such force pours in from the north. We also see that Communism is not the monolithic world force we thought it was. It is a disintegrating force which doesn't know where it is going nor how to get there. China and Russia behave more like enemies than comrades. Russia and her East Europe satellites are getting more and more separated and the satellites are coming closer and closer to the Western powers."

The future in China: "We saw tremendous changes in the 35 years we lived in China, and I believe that there will be tremendous changes there in the next 35 years. We ought to do everything we can to hasten those changes and speed the day when we will be having friendly relations with the Chinese people. The present government is drunk with power and filled with hatred towards us because we backed the Nationalists and gave them military aid which was used to kill Chinese people. But the Chinese people are basically reasonable and I believe that time will teach them that they need to live and cooperate with other nations for the things that bind us together as human beings are stronger than the things that separate us."

In conclusion: "I agree with Teilhard de Chardin, the Catholic Father who lived in China many years, that there are world forces which are drawing us all together, including Communists, into a World Family. Those forces need the help of man who has the freedom to cooperate or oppose. In other words, I am still an optimist in spite of my 80 years."

Just after the foregoing was put together and a copy sent to Hal for his OK, a letter came from Dick Carpenter telling that Harold and Mary Robinson had celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary August 8. Carp enclosed a snapshot to back up his statement. The shot was sent to Carp by Mabel Wilkinson, widow of our Win Wilkinson. She represented 1910 at the celebration of the Robinson 50th.

Another news item via our Coast Recorder: The Paul Alberts spent the heated months at Prescott, Ariz., and returned to their home in Sun City for the winter. Since we are now that far west, we might as well report that on our annual trip to the wide spaces of Wyoming, we had a short phone conversation with Billy Williams and wife, Bea. Billy, in spite of handicaps, manages to get in a few holes on the links, when the weather is OK. He is as cheerful as ever about it all.

Disturbing word has come telling of the tragic accident suffered by Larry and Mim Bankart's daughter, Deborah. She and her daughter, Lucy, were enjoying a vacation at a dude ranch in Wyoming. While helping round up some horses Deb's horse zigged under a too-low branch. She threw herself forward along the horse's neck but the pommel kept her spine raised so that it was fractured and the spinal cord partially cut. Picked up from the mountain site by helicopter and taken halfway across the state to the hospital at Casper, she underwent surgery. Later Deb was transferred by air ambulance to Denver rehabilitation hospital. Mim wrote in mid-September that Deb would soon be home at Newington, Conn., and would continue her therapy at the Hartford Hospital as an outpatient. We have spoken for the Class in expressing our sympathy to Larry and Mim.

A letter from Bill Moe tells of his appreciation of the card we sent from the June reunion group. We'll give more in detail from that letter in the next "Tenner Topics." This one quote is important just now: "For any members of our Class 1910, may I say that I would be most happy for anyone who can call at my place, Avery Nursing Home, at any time (905 New Britain Ave., Hartford, Conn.)." May we add that we'll bet that a card from a Tenner will be a happy experience for Bill.

Other address changes: H. C. Comey, 2051 Witna St., Ft. Myers, Fla. 33901; L. C. Langdell, 15335 N.E. Glisan St., Portland, Ore. 97230; H. J. March, 18 Freeman Ave., Middleport, N. Y. 14105; W. H. Murphy, 15 Upcrest Rd., Brighton, Mass. 02135; M. C. Taylor, Box 701, Edgartown, Mass. 02539.

Mary and Harold Robinson '10 celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, August 8, at Carmel Valley, Calif.

Secretary, 501 Cannon PI., Troy, N. Y.

Treasurer, 2144 McKinley St., Clearwater, Fla.

Bequest Chairman,