1st Feb.1944

My dear Freda:

Funny things do happen, Some Italians & Britishers including Desmond Power, came in today accompanied by the fine Lunghua Camp commandant. Saw Desmond for a fleeting second. He had already decided not to work in the Kitchen. The Lunghua Commandant told Dr Vio that he wanted he and his wife to meet the Weihsien Camp Commandant, who was a great friend of his. Kojo stood by looking as glum as possible! One up for Vio. The other story is that there is an ex Belgian & his wife, who were Nazi spies came out to & became their radio propaganda agents, for some reason fell a foul of the Japanese and was to be interned in Shai, he pleaded that he would probably be killed by the Belgians, so they decided to send him up here to be interned with the Italian The Italians refused to have them, and now we have lodged a strong protest against their being interned with us. We are wondering what will happen.

John Hayes tells a story of MacLaren which shows the latter’s savoir faire: some Japanese newspaper men came to the Camp, few months ago. Hayes was interviewed & asked what he thought of the Camp, he replied that as he spent so much time looking after his aged parents he hadn’t had time to notice the life around him. Needless to say they were satisfied that they were about to kick a hornet’s nest. They then went to MacLaren and asked him how it was that seemingly the internees were so carefree, their enjoyment at baseball and yet grumbled so. Without a moments hesitation he replied that Anglo Saxons were renowned for making the best of a bad job.

Heard too that Rome fell last Saturday. I wonder if our stay here isn’t numbered now. Although the Authorities must be expecting more people as Dormitory No 35 is being turned into a kitchen. There was a deputation organised against this but Kojo said that whether we used it or not it was our affair but they were going to build one. Anyway he thought we would be glad of it some day. Ominous, what! Our 1st day of real snow. The kids had great fun snowballing and building snowmen. We were rather apprehensive. Gay was able to turn the heel of her good sock without any difficulties, she is a good girl. She has her hair tied in one bunch behind her - goodness how she resembles me when I was that age – it’s uncanny.

Hope to hear from you tomorrow, the postmaster seems to think we’ll have some mail tomorrow.

Heard rather a funny story about Van. Apparently, before Xmas, when the Authorities were searching Tongshan for arms, ammunition and cameras, they visited all the houses. They came to Van’s house, and to their horror they saw that Van was desecrating a bed with the 16 petal chrysanthemum carved on it. They made Madam kneel on the floor and explain. She couldn’t. They sent for Van, but he was away in Linsi, they sent for him to return immediately. He was able to explain that 16 yrs previously he bought it off Count Storfsa, the Italian minister. The following day he was questioned for 2 hrs and was let off on the condition that he would write an apology for such a desecration. He did but they objected to mention of “occupied China”, so he was given 1/2 hr to re write it, failing which Madam was to be jailed for 17 yrs, being the number of years they had been committing the desecration.

Funny isn’t it!

Goodnight. Ida.

February 5, 1944 ...

5-2-44

My dear Freda:

Saturday has come round again & no hope of letters. Kojo is certainly showing his attitude towards us. Egger brought some red x letters yesterday. We didn’t receive any. Somehow I am not expecting anymore as practically all replies have been received.

Desmond arrived Monday or Tuesday. He had had an arduous journey. But Gracie has been entertaining the Shai Camp Commandant. She calls him a White man. He had been interned on the Isle of Man and owing to his good treatment there is trying to do all he can for his internees in Shai. He is so popular with the people he accompanied here that they are giving him a send-off party.

The rumours are that Spain & Portugal are in the War, that Goering has been to Sweden to negotiate a peace, that Estonia is now in the hands of Russia.

Went to Dr Corkey on Thursday p.m. My back is aching and I am having mucuous discharge continuously. I have to douche, do my elbow/knee exercises and during my next period, have 3 injections to fix me. So we’ll see.

Cheerioh, Ida

February 9, 1944 ...

9-2-44

My dear Freda:

Heard from Paula that her niece is living with you. I was glad to learn this as it would mean company for you at any price. Olaf in his letter to Paula only mentioned that he saw you rarely. I expect he must be fully occupied traipsing to the dairy and back.

Mr Egger, the Red X representative brought me the news that Ernie was able to lend Mother some money: $1200 for January to April inclusive. We were greatly relieved. It isn’t much but as I know she has some money this additional income would help to make things pleasant for her.

I spent only about 10 minutes at the Kitchen, chopping peanuts. Bodes ill for our supper. Young George Wallis was carried home drunk on Sunday morning. It was a disgraceful affair. He has since been punished for 2 months. All Camp privileges withdrawn.

Cheerioh Ida.

February 16, 1944 ...

16-2-44

My dear Freda:

We had decided that “Valentines Day” would be the family birthday, and have a family party to which the kids would be invited. So we killed the fatted Coq, had salmon canapes, fried ham steaks, peas & fried s potatoes, custard pies. We did have a very enjoyable supper. It had to start at 8, as I had to attend an emergency meeting of executive committee of the Homes Committee to discuss “serious” complaints against the Elephant Bell which had been received by the said committee. We decided to advise Mrs Wright, the lady manager of the Elephant Bell to refrain from reselling or exchanging goods purchased at the Canteen.

On the morning of the 15th a knock was heard, I called Robbie and we both went to the rendez-vous, receiving the goods, and I carrying them in, after a long, long time, when we were bringing in the last bundles, about 10 shots were fired. I was scared stiff. I can’t bear the sound of shots which seemed at us they were so close, our hearts beat so, we thought the Japs would even hear them, when they presently arrived with their storm lights.

Then all afternoon I was busy about the Elephant Bell Exchange. As Mrs Wright had taken the letter badly & had started demarches with General Affairs etc. And had closed the Elephant Bell until further notice. In the evening another meeting was held at Mrs Hubbard’s with Mr/Mrs Wright, Mr MacLaren, Mr Radcliffe, Mr Powell, Mrs Sorjesen, Mrs Longman, Mrs Busby, Mrs Hubbard & self. Tomorrow there will be a meeting of the whole committee when we will decided whether or not this Elephant Bell shouldn’t be handed over to General Affairs. I have been busy all week contacting mothers of 10 yrs old to come to a meeting on Tuesday at the Isolation Ward, where biological problems would be discussed.

No mail this week at all.

Met Mrs Dr Vio, a very attractive Australian girl from S'hai. She doesn’t know your family.

Love Ida.

February 21, 1944 ...

21-2-44

My dear Freda:

It is today 11 months since we left you, the baby and our home. It has been a particularly trying day. I had an extremely big wash with many interruptions. Vicky Waters from Quarters came to make an inventory, then Mrs Cockburn came to cut Gay’s hair. Girlie came and sat. She paid me $30.00 for a lb tin of Golden Lion Milk. Sid had to fetch the milk & eggs from the Hospital, a chore which I undertake to do myself. I finally finished by 12. The day was bitter cold and my hands were numb. However the washing was dry by nightfall - the 1st time this winter.

Peter, attempting to skate on a drain, trod on thin ice and one foot fell in. He was condemned to bed, but I had the nausea of having to wash the smelly garments.

Had an Executive Committee meeting at Mrs Hubbard’s, where it was decided that old Mr Taylor, aged 80 odd, will be given a room, to be shared with his grandson, and Miss Howard, who was present at the meeting, to be released from all Camp duties to look after him. The subject of assistance for Miss Bayly in her washing for the 8 old ladies she cares for came up. I suggested our next door neighbour Mrs Danielson. She has a little girl of 3 and does no Camp work.

Yesterday I visited the hospital, saw Mrs Voyce, Sister Eustella & Daisy. I think they were quite pleased - so was I.

Father Rutherford is a semi invalid, the dirt & dust in his room made me want to tidy it up, but I think I would have offended him.

The rumours today are:- that Hople, Joerg, Egger & 2 others were going to visit this camp. I suggest a demonstration as there has been no cigarettes for about 5 weeks, in order that retaliatory measures could be taken.

- that the Belgians are leaving and 400 British & others are coming from Shai.

Che sara, che sara - The Robinsons are getting 2 parcels and none for us.

No mail because Kojo is away in Tsingtao.

Love Ida.

22-2-44 red letter day

February 24, 1944 ...

24-2-44

My dear Freda:

Joy of joys. Received a red x letter from Arthur dated 6-9-43.

Much love, Ida

February 25, 1944 ...

25-2-44

My dear Freda:

Poor girl. Just received letter from Vera of 20/1/44 that you were expecting to go into hospital at any time - and for a cesarean. I wish I could hear from you. Not once did you mention that you were even expecting another. Perhaps, you did and the letters did not reach me.

The story today is that a German sister from Tsingtao wrote to a sister here that they (in Tsingtao) are making preparation for High Mass at Easter at which the nuns here are expected to be present. And they were to leave their beds behind (in Weihsien) as they (the German sisters) would be requiring them!

Went to Anne’ to have my fortune told yesterday. She said that the wish closest to my heart would materialise after a delay of 6 month. (News of & from Ena!!) My journey would lead to my wish. (Does it mean repatriation; if so what happens to Mother??) Money at my feet. All best cards possible, 4 aces, but 3 in a row, 3 sixes, 3 nines, 3 eights, 3 tens. I am surrounded by people!

Cigarrettes were issued today after a wait of almost 5 weeks. People were becoming desperate. Twas no longer safe to walk about smoking one. But what a blessed relief this evening, like gentle rain falling on a thirsty soil. 200 each adult at $8.80. Pretty cheap when it is considering that a Mercury packet costs $7.00 in town, and amongst these 200 are 4 packets of Mercury.

Peter is taking his initial bow at acting. He & Vova Vladiminoff are 2 black boys aiding Betty Lambert in her Persian Dance, part of the Russian Variety Concert Programme. Will give details after tomorrow.

Take care of yourself.

Much love, Ida