Chapter 31 – 1938 – Dr. Bethune in China – Dr. Heng Chih Toa

In January of 1938, Dr. Norman Bethune left for China joining the army of Mao Tse Tung. 

In February, a Canadian lecture tour was arranged featuring Dr, Heng Chih Toa, general director of the Chinese National Association for the Advancement of Education and described in The Albertan as “a leader in China’s struggle to modernize her institutions”. Although Dr. Toa was unexpectedly called away and unable to attend the first series of meetings in Alberta, his message was read to large crowds by Calgary businessman Frank Ho Lem in Calgary, Edmonton, Drumheller and Lethbridge. 

Here is how the RCMP reported a second meeting held in Calgary:

 “At 2 p.m. Feb 6^th, a meeting was held in the Grand Theatre Calgary under the auspices of the Canadian League for Peace and Democracy, about one Thousand people attended. Fred White was chairman, speakers were Rabbi J. Eisen of Edmonton, Rev. E. Melville Aitken of the Central United Church, Arnold Roberton, and Frank Ho Lem. A collection was taken up and the sum of $266 collected for Medical aid of the Chinese in China.

Arnold Roberton, official of the League for Peace and Democracy, described himself as a “Scotch-Canadian” pleading a common cause with his Chinese friends in their struggle against Japan. (Note: “Scotch-Canadian” again is the original writer’s spelling.)

The Chinese, like the Scots are resourceful, and mentioned how he had read that the Chinese had built dummy tanks and airplanes to draw Japanese shells.

Roberton appealed for funds to send to China for medical supplies etc. to help these people.”