Three Letters Written To An American Woman From China During The Communist Revolution – “Peace Movement Is Not Likely To Be Successful. War Is Going On. Many People Have Been Killed In Battle-Fields By War, Even More People Died Because Lack Of Food And Cloth. Several Days Ago, It Is Said, More Than 1,000 People Have Died In The Streets In Shanghai Due To The Cold Weather.”

(CHINA). Archive. Three pieces. January 7, [no year] (2pgs); February 27, 1948 (1pg); November 30, 1948 (1pg). [Shanghai], China. A trio of letters written and signed in English to an American named Mary Watson. They were written by at least two different people in China during the Chinese Communist Revolution. All three concern the violence, suffering, and uncertainty that prevailed in China at the time. One letter states: “…Many times I decided to write to you, but I did not know to write a letter in such drastically changeable times. I wished to report some good news to you, but failed so many times. Peace movement is not likely to be successful. War is going on. Many people have been killed in battle-fields by war, even more people died because lack of food and cloth. Several days ago, it is said, more than 1,000 people have died in the streets in Shanghai due to the cold weather. Price index jumped three times in ten days. How the poor can stand? So the common people in every part of this country are praying for peace, despite what the terms between the fighting parties. They do not care this ‘ism’ or that ‘ism’, want only a bare living…”. One of the writers was an economist, possibly working for the United Nations: “…I’ll not give up my research program. Please drop a card to Blakiston Book Co., Philadelphia while the Readings in International Trade and Readings in the Theory of Price are being published, please mail one copy for each to you. I should like to trouble you sending them to me. Please let us me know if there is any new book useful to me. There is only one thing for us to do – research…Pai-Kang Chiang will be leaving for the Philippines tomorrow, representing the Economic Commission to FAO’s Rice meeting. I didn’t have chance to see Chang-Yi often. I met him at a dinner party given by the Harvard Club last week but didn’t have time to have a long talk with him. However, he looked quite fit…”. The third letter, which was written by someone else, reports that the sender and his family planned on moving to Hong Kong in search of greater security and better healthcare: “…One conclusion may be drawn from my observation is that not at all bright (speaking moderately). My wife is expecting to give birth before end of January. I’m not sure whether she can get adequate medical care by staying here. Furthermore the change is going to take place soon & when it comes certain unlucky people will be sacrificed during the interim period. I don’t want to be one of them. For these two reasons we have decided to move on to Hong Kong. I hope & pray to get a job there…”. The letters are in very good condition with assorted toning, tears, and a seal that shows through from the other side of one letter. A fine collection of letters from an important time in world history.