CANTLIE Dr. J.
(3) Continuation.
122
Around the story of Dr. Sun's release, much nonsense has been written. Dr. Cantlie, whose life story was published last week, was credited in many quarters with freeing Sun Yat-sen from captivity. The man directly responsible for bringing Dr. Sun's plight to the notice of the authorities was a Legation servant named George Cole.
Here is Sun Yat-sen's own story as told to a reporter of the London Daily News: "The man who saved my life is suffering in consequence. When I was a prisoner at the Legation, I threw some writing out of the window. But as I told you at the time, that was not the means by which I succeeded in communicating with my friends. An English servant at the Legation named George Cole, in response to my earnest prayer, consented to take a note to Dr. Cantlie. He saved my life, but he lost his situation for his employers learnt of the part he played and at once dismissed him, though he has served them honestly and diligently for seven years. He was a storekeeper and he is a smart man. Though I am by no means wealthy, I gave him £20 in gratitude for what he had done. Mr. Cole came to me yesterday and asked me whether I could find him another situation, as it was difficult to get one without a reference from employers he had served for seven years. I went round to where he lives, 36 Little Albany Street, Regent's Park, and found he has a wife and children dependent upon him. I would do anything to help him, but," added Sun, with a pathetic expression of helplessness, "What can I do in such a matter? Do assist me, please."
This story is borne out by the fact that Cole subsequently sued Sun Yat-sen for £480, which Cole alleged he had been promised to take the note to Dr. Cantlie. Being entirely without funds, Sun was unable to pay the debt.
When the story of the kidnapping was circulated in England, public opinion was aroused and the outrageous conduct of the Chinese Minister was represented to the Foreign Office, which perforce had to insist upon the release of Sun Yat-sen.
At liberty once again, Sun went to Japan but was not content to remain there for long. He wanted to be nearer the seat of activities in South China. For this purpose, he wrote from Yokohama to the Hongkong Government asking for permission to reside in the Colony.
An uncompromising refusal was the answer to his request. Sun Yat-sen was informed that if he sought refuge in Hongkong, he would be arrested and dealt with for disobedience of the order of banishment.
Reactions in the House of Commons to the local Government's decision, and correspondence addressed to Dr. Sun Yat-sen by the Colonial Secretary will be dealt with to-morrow.
CANTLIE Dr. J.
( 3 ) Continuation.
122
*
A round the story of Dr. Sun's release, much nonsense has been written. Dr. Cantlie whose life story was published last week, was credited in many quarters with freeing Sun Yat-sen from captivity. The man directly responsible for bringing Dr. Sun's plight to the notice of the authorities was a Legation servant named George Cole.
Here is Sun Yat-sen's own story as told to a repor- ter of the London Daily News : "The man who saved my life, is suffering in consequence. When I was a prisoner at the Legation, I threw some writing out of the window But as
I told you at the time that was not the means by which I succeeded in communicating with my friends. An English servant at the Legation named George Cole, in response to my earnest prayer, consented to take á rote to Dr. Cantlie. He saved my life, but he lost his situation for his employers learnt of the part he played and at once dismissed him, though he has served them honestly and diligently for seven years. He was a storekeeper and he is a smart man. Though I am by no means wealthy I gave him £20 in gratitude for what he had done. Mr. Cole came to me yesterday and asked me whether I could find him another situation, as it was difficult to get one with- out a reference from employers he had served for seven years. I went round to where he lives, 36 Little Albany Street, Regent's Park, and found he has a wife and children dependent upon. I would do anything to help him, but " added Sun, with a pathetic expression of helplessness, What can I do in such a matter ? Do assist me, please. *
#
This story is borne out by the fact that Cole sub- sequently sued Sun Yat-sen for £480, which Cole alledged he had been promised to take the note to Dr. Cantlie. Being entirely without funds, Sun was unable to pay the debt.
When the story of the kidnapping was circulated in England, public opinion was aroused and the outrage- ous conduct of the Chinese Minister was represented to the Foreign Office, which perforce had to insist upon the release of Sun Yat-sun.
At liberty once again, Sun went to Japan but was not content to remain there for long. He wanted to be nearer the seat of activities in South China. For this purpose he wrote from Yokohama, to the Hongkong Government asking for permission to reside in the Colony.
An uncompromising refusal was the answer to his request. Sun Yat-sen was informed that if he sought refuge in Hongkong, he would be arrested and dealt with for disobedience of the order of banishment.
Reactions in the House of Commons to the local Government's decision, and correspondence addressed to Dr. Sun Yat-sen by the Colonial Secretary will be dealt with to-morrow.
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