To the Editor of the "Nonru-Cuina Day News."
Sin,—The "N Daily News" of the 9th instant contains an appeal to the general public for subscription for a "Memorial Hall" at the C. 1. M. Schools, Chefoo. agree with "In Memorian" that the scheme "should strongly appeal" to those who are directly connected with these schools. But it should be clearly understood, as indeed "In Memorian" says, that this new suggestion should in no way displace other schemes for a more genera] commemoration of the self-sacrifice of Britons from the East who have done their bit in the war.
There is one point that seems to require explanation before one, who has no personal interest in China Inland Mission, decides on contributing, or not contributing, his mite to the proposed memorial at_Chefoo.
The schools are the property of, the China Inland Mission, an international and inter-denominational Society, and the teachers at the schools are members of the Society. What has been the official attitude of the C. I. M. towards the wart It seems to be a general impression that the Society forbade its members to take any part whatever in the great fight for freedom, no doubt, on religious grounds, Other missionary bodies did not take up this position, and a number of missionaries did most useful service in connexion with the Chinese Labour Battalions in France.
In particular, I am in a position to assert that one member of the I. M., a master at their school, considered it his duty to go France with the coolies—a noncombatant job. Ju consequence, he and his wife were called upon to resign from the Society and to sever their connexion with the schools! If there is any inaccuracy in the above statements, I sincerely trust that "In Memoriam." or someone else in a position to speak with authority in the matter, will cor-idely held misapprehension.
But if the statements are true, surely, to the ordinary Briton, there is an element of incongruity in an appeal for funds to assist, even indirectly, a Society whose official attitude is so little distinguished from that of conscientious objec-/ tors in England, so many of whom were sent to prison!
I am, ete.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.