Taiwan Today

His name is now almost forgotten, but this Australian newsman sat at the feet of Sun Yat-sen, then served President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek for several years

At the end of the Manchu dynasty and in the early years of the Republic of China, many foreigners served as "advisers" to the Chinese government. They were men of learning and experience - specialists in military, political, economic, social, educational and scientific affairs invited from various countries to help with China's modernization. Among these foreign advisers, one came from Australia. Unlike the others, he had no academic degree and no backing from his home government. His love for the Chinese people and his zeal and devotion to the Chinese cause led him into a colorful, even spectacular career. From humble beginnings as a newspaper reporter, he worked his way into a position where he lived and broke bread with China's rulers as a member of the inner circle and gained their confidence and trust. He participated in some of the most important events during the period of China's transition from dynasty to 20th century republic and exerted a personal influence in shaping the new destiny. He was William Henry Donald of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia.

For decades, Western publishers tried to tempt W.H. Donald with lavish offers for his memoirs. He refused. Only near the end of his life in the Naval Hospital at Honolulu did he dictate his life story to Earl Albert Selle, an American journalist from Rhode Island, who wrote a book entitled Donald of China. Donald died in 1946. The book was published in 1948 by the now defunct Invincible Press of Sydney. Thirty years has gone by. Few people remember W.H. Donald as he was in China and even fewer recall him in Australia. But Donald's story is a legend that should not be left to oblivion.

Little is known of the youth and education of William Henry Donald except that he was Scottish and the son of a building contractor in Lithgow, New South Wales. He began his career as a typesetter on the Lithgow Mercury, became a reporter for the Sydney Daily Telegraph and then a political writer for the Melbourne Argus. Chance took him to Hongkong to work for the China Mail. There he resented the haughty airs of the British ruling class, which tended to regard the Chinese as inferior. He believed that in spite of obvious weakness, China was a sleeping giant and that unless the outside world made efforts to understand the Chinese people, international problems involving China could not be solved. Contrary to the usual customs of Westerners, he found his way into the yamen of the Viceroy of Kwangtung and Kwangsi provinces in Canton with the objective of reporting news of China from within. The foreign correspondents in Hongkong had not bothered to get closer to China.

Donald's initial efforts were richly rewarded. He not only made friends in Chinese officialdom but earned himself the title of "adviser" to the Viceroy. Donald had planted his two feet solidly on Chinese soil.

Donald continued to work in Hongkong but made frequent trips to Canton. Revolutionary fires were smoldering among the Chinese and abortive revolts had taken place in Yunnan and Kwangtung provinces. Donald had heard the name of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and became interested in his revolutionary programs. In Hongkong, he went to the headquarters of the revolutionary party and announced his intention to join. There he met Hu Han-ming, Dr. Sun's right hand man. Thereafter he was secretly associated with the movement of the National Revolution while still keeping in touch with Manchu officials in Canton.

In 1908 the Chinese Imperial Navy seized in the Pearl River a Japanese freighter carrying arms and munitions to the revolutionaries. Japan demanded reparations for the humiliation. The Throne ordered the Viceroy in Canton to kowtow to the Japanese flag and to pay a large sum of indemnity. Asked by the frightened Viceroy for advice, Donald promised him results in 48 hours. He launched into a whirlwind tour of Canton, calling on the 72 tradesmen's guilds, 13 charitable institutions and the Chamber of Commerce to boycott Japanese goods. The Viceroy did not kowtow to the Japanese flag and China did not pay an indemnity.

Donald's reputation grew as it had become known that he commanded the confidence of many political parties in China. Donald himself attributed this to his frankness, honesty, humility and an intuitive understanding of Chinese character. He was given additional assignments as correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph and New York Herald. He could have lived comfortably in Hongkong on his handsome salaries and allowances. His nature pushed him into new adventures.

In the spring of 1911, Donald went to Shanghai to cover the expected Chinese revolution. He called at the house of Charlie Soong and there met many revolutionaries from the south. The enthusiasm for overthrowing the Manchus was at its height. Donald was convinced that the revolution was bound to succeed. But he was unhappy because the revolutionaries were naive in planning for a new government to replace the Manchu regime.

When the National Revolution erupted at Wuchang October 10, Shanghai was taken by surprise. The headquarters of the Chinese Nationalist Party on Avenue Road under Dr. Wu Ting-fang became a beehive of activities. Donald joined the staff of Dr. Wu in the company of Dr. Wang Chung-hui, Dr. C.T. Wang, Yu Ya-ching and Wen Tsung-yao. He was assigned to diplomatic affairs. To gain international sympathy, Donald stressed the importance of the non-discriminatory treatment of foreigners.

By November, the Wuchang incident had ignited the revolutionary tinder into a conflagration. Many provinces of the South had joined the Revolution. Rebel forces in Shanghai had taken the Arsenal and were planning to attack Nanking. The odds were not in their favor. Nanking was defended by General Chang Hsun and strong forces. Of his own volition, Donald went to the front to assist the rebels. There a story unfolded in Hollywood script style.

At the railway station in Chingchiang, the advance base of the rebel troops, Donald met Roy Scot Anderson of the Standard Oil Company, an American who had heard of Donald and come to help. The advance of rebel troops had been deterred by rumors that the railway between Chingchiang and Nanking was mined. The Donald Anderson team volunteered to undertake recon naissance and borrowed a locomotive from the railway station, signing a chit for it. They drove the machine to the outskirts of Nanking. Finding no mines, Donald scaled Purple Mountain to spy out Manchu defenses of the area. Back in Ching chiang, Donald reported his findings to the commander and suggested a plan of attack. Troops were to be carried by train to the outskirts of Nanking, destroy a Manchu artillery position out side the city and blow open the Taiping Gate from the east. The commander asked the Shanghai Arsenal for heavy guns and 4.7-inch pieces arrived the next day. As the revolutionaries neared Nan king, it became obvious that no one knew how to shoot the guns. After some fumbling, Donald and Anderson decided they could serve as artillery men. They had soldiers mount the guns on a railway embankment and trained them on the Taiping Gate. Donald was to give directions from an elevated vantage point; Anderson was to fire the guns. The Manchu artillery was silenced. Now it was the turn of the Donald-Anderson team to shell the gate. The first shot missed. It sailed overhead and landed squarely on the roof of North Star Temple, which just happened to be the defending general's headquarters. Succeeding shells also missed but set parts of Nanking ablaze. Eventually the amateur artillerymen hit the gate, killing many Manchu troops. The next day, General Chang Hsun sent the American vice consul as his emissary to arrange a surrender. Prior to the appointed time, Chang escaped north ward, leaving his No.1 concubine behind. The siege of Nanking ended. Donald subsequently arranged for the return of the concubine to the general in exchange for locomotives and rolling stock.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen returned from abroad in December of 1911 to become the Provisional President of the Republic of China. Together with Dr. Wu Wing-fang and Wen Tsung-yao, Donald paid a courtesy call on Dr. Sun. He was immediately invited to work for the revolutionary leader. Donald drafted Dr. Sun's manifesto upon assumption of office in Nanking January 1, 1912. When it was learned that the Japanese government was going to interfere with the revolution by sustaining the Manchu emperor, Donald drafted a stern warning to Japan. Donald took it upon himself to do odd jobs for Dr. Sun. He said: "Dr. Sun is known as the Father of the Revolution. He has the respect of' the man-in-the-street of China and elsewhere. We just can't let him do anything to arouse unfavorable attention while the country is struggling to get on its feet." Donald became the front man for Dr. Sun screening Chinese and foreign visitors and handling various other chores. He was the self-appointed protector of Sun Yat-sen.

In February, Dr. Sun yielded the presidency to Yuan Shih-kai, who had demanded the post as his price for bringing about the abdication of the Manchu boy emperor Pu Yi. The Republic to which Dr. Sun had devoted 20 years of dreaming, planning and action was given to a Northern warlord. Dr. Sun was named "Director for Construction of All Railways in China." Donald stuck with Dr. Sun, accompanying him on a tour of the railways.

Yuan Shih-kai ruled China harshly, unmindful of the aims and principles Dr. Sun had espoused. In 1913, Yuan, eager to build a strong army and entrench himself politically, was seeking a loan of 25 million pounds sterling from an international consortium. When word of the undercover negotiations leaked out, Dr. Sun and the Kuomintang protested loudly. Donald and Dr. C.T. Wang, the vice president of the Senate, organized an anti consortium demonstration. Opposition was of no avail. The loan agreement was signed secretly. Yuan dissolved Parliament, declared the Kuomin tang an illegal organization and arrested its members. Dr. Sun fled to Japan. At Donald's suggestion and with his assistance, Dr. C.T. Wang escaped in the disguise of an old woman.

Returning to his job as a journalist, Donald stayed in Peking to cover the China story. A major news break came in 1915. With world attention centered on Europe and World War I, Japan seized the opportunity to force the infamous Twenty-one Demands on China. Details were kept secret by the Chinese and Japanese governments. Donald learned of the Japanese plot from Dr. George Morrison, political adviser to Yuan Shih-kai. Disclosure of the Japanese terms alarmed the world but also accelerated Japanese action. On May 9, Japan sent an ultimatum to China demanding acceptance of the Twenty-one Demands in 48 hours. As the deadline approached" Donald was asked by Lu Tseng-hsiang, the Chinese foreign minister, to draft a reply. Following Lu's instructions, the note accepted major portions of the Demands. Japan was given prior rights to exploit China's mineral and other resources and to invest and sell goods in China. The reply was delivered May 9 just before the ultimatum expired. War was averted but China was humiliated. Later, the date of May 9 was marked as China's "National Humiliation Day." Lu Tseng-hsiang was condemned by the entire nation and went to Belgium to become a Trappist monk.

China faced another crisis later in 1915. Supported by a group of Chinese monarchists and an American adviser, Frank Johnson Goodnow, Yuan Shih-kai declared himself Emperor Hung Hsien. Southern provinces rose in revolt. Under the banner of General Tsai Ao of Yunnan, civil war began in earnest. Yuan soon realized that the situation was untenable and signified his intention of retiring but the civil war dragged on. At this juncture, Donald had a brainstorm. He asked the American minister, Dr. Paul S. Reinsch, to lend him a few Marines to kidnap Yuan and send him out of the country. Reinsch of course declined. Yuan abdicated and died not long afterward.

From Yuan Shih-kai's death in 1916 until 1927, China passed through an era of warlords. In China's long history, the fall of a dynasty had always been followed by a period of civil war. As Donald saw it, the fall of the Manchus had left a wobbly successor in the Republic. Warlords governing a single province or several provinces fought each another for personal gain in a pattern aptly described by Donald and his friends as "the eternal triangle - two generals fighting whose plans were upset by a third." Outside influence also came into play. When any faction seemed near decisive victory, Japan intervened with support of the weaker opponent, thereby prolonging civil discord and keeping China weak.

Donald was correspondent for the London Times, editor of the Far Eastern Review and director of the Bureau of Economic Information in the Peking government. In his travels between Shanghai and Peking, he personally met many leading war lords and politicians. On occasion he advised them to promote national unity but his words went unheeded.

After the defeat of Marshal Wu Pei-fu by General Feng Yu hsiang, Dr. Sun was invited to Peking to discuss national affairs. Although ailing, Dr. Sun made the strenuous trip and spent a month in speechmaking along the way. Reaching Peking, he collapsed. At the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, doctors found he was dying of cancer of the liver. Donald visited Dr. Sun at the hospital.

Sun Yat-sen died March 12, 1925, his work unfinished. He left a will urging his comrades to continue their efforts to join in the common struggle to make China equal, to abolish the unequal treaties and to dedicate themselves to national reconstruction according to his Three Principles of the People.

The national spirit of China was aroused. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek took up where Dr. Sun had left off. The Northern Expeditionary Forces were readied to unify the country and implement Dr. Sun's ideals and principles. Donald saw new hope for China. But he also saw the beginning of new confusion growing out of failure of the Great Powers to adjust to inevitable changes in China and the emergence of Communism.

In Peking, Donald was well acquainted with leading diplomats, including M. Karakhan, the Soviet ambassador. He knew about Western procrastination on the subject of colonialism, the Japanese intention to conquer China as the first step in conquest of the world and the Soviet plot to funnel funds through Karakhan to Michael Borodin, a political commissar in Dr. Sun's revolutionary army, to promote Communism. He knew the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek would have to fight the war on many fronts. Donald had only a casual acquaintance with Chiang in the early days of the National Revolution. His services to him in later times came about by indirection.

In 1928, Donald resigned from the Bureau of Economic Information and went to Manchuria. Accompanied by Lo Wen-kan, a Cantonese politician, he called on Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, son of the warlord Chang Tso-lin, who was assassinated in the Japanese explosion of a railway bomb. At their first meeting, Donald was shocked to find the "Young Marshal" a physical wreck from drug addiction. After more meetings, Donald thought he saw the raw material of future leadership. Donald regarded Chang Hsueh-liang as a young man of courage and frankness with strong devotion to the unity of China. Donald took upon himself the job of remaking Chang. He ingratiated himself with the Young Marshal through constant visits, long talks, walks and games of golf. One day, Donald told Chang bluntly that he must stop using narcotics. The Young Marshal agreed and Donald became a sort of nurse-counselor.

The Young Marshal was about to meet with General Wu Teh-chen, an emissary from Chiang Kai-shek sent to ask Chang Hsueh-liang to join the National Forces. As the story goes, Donald told the Young Marshal: "The time has come for you to declare yourself to become part and parcel of China's recognized government - the one led by Chiang Kai-shek." The Young Marshal nodded in agreement. Donald added: "You should send telegrams advising the separatists at Peking to halt their war against Chiang. Make them realize that if they don't, and if they don't dissolve their government, you will send your armies against them." The telegram was sent and on that day, September 18, 1930, the unification of China was close to complete.

The Young Marshal was promoted to the post of Deputy Commander-in-chief of China's National Army, Navy and Air Force. Accompanied by Donald, he flew to Nanking and received a rousing welcome. He participated in Kuomintang conferences.

The action of the Young Marshal infuriated the Japanese militarists, who hoped to conquer China piecemeal. They lost no time preparing a large scale invasion of Manchuria. In September of 1931, the Young Marshal was hospitalized in Peiping (so renamed when the capital was moved to Nanking) with typhoid fever. He had recovered by the afternoon of September 18 and that evening attended a dinner at the British Legation. After ward, he went to the theater to see a performance by the great Chinese actor Mei Lan-fang. At 1 the following morning, the Japanese attacked Mukden as the first step in the militarists' pre meditated invasion of China.

Denounced for not resisting the Japanese invasion, the Young Marshal resigned and planned a trip to Europe. Before Chang's departure, Donald arranged to have his friend's drug habit completely cured in Shanghai by a Dr. Miller. The Young Marshal began his European tour in Rome. Coached by Donald, he met the right people and said the right things. He was an overnight social success. After a six-month tour of European countries, he returned to Shanghai. He and Donald were invited by Generalissimo and Madame Chiang to visit Hangchow. At the dinner table, Donald availed himself of the opportunity to hold forth on the ills of China with Madame Chiang translating. At the end of the lecture, Madame Chiang asked, "Why don't you come to work for us? "

Donald did not go to work for the Chiangs immediately. He accompanied the Young Marshal to his new post as Deputy Commander-in-chief of Bandit Suppression Troops in Honan, Hupeh and Anhwei provinces. From the headquarters in Hankow, Donald wrote voluminous letters to Madame Chiang on state affairs.

In October, 1934, Generalissimo and Madame Chiang arrived at Hankow on their way to open a branch of the Central Military Academy at Loyang. The Young Marshal and Donald were invited to join them on a three-day excursion. The morning after they left Hankow, Donald was sitting in the railway lounge car when Madame Chiang came in with an armful of letters and documents. After an exchange of pleasantries, Madame Chiang asked Donald to help work on the papers. Donald gladly obliged. He wrote memorandums for the Generalissimo and answered queries from a variety of sources, typing swiftly. Donald's decisions were quick and his judgment sound. Madame Chiang watched with approval. Little did Donald realize that this was the beginning of labors that were to keep him busy for years.

At the end of the third day, as they were about to return to Hankow, Donald casually suggested that they as might as well visit Sian in nearby Shensi province. The Generalissimo agreed and the tour was extended to cover Sian, Lanchow, Peiping, Kalgan and Taiyuan. The public relations effect was tremendous. The leader visited far-flung provinces, talked with the people in the streets, heard their problems and won their hearts.

Back in Nanking, Donald went to live at the Generalissimo's bungalow outside the East Gate. As he began work for the Chiangs, he had no precise title. The Generalissimo called him "Adviser." Fast friendship developed. Donald earned the confidence and trust of China's first couple.

Japan was encroaching upon China step by step, first in Manchuria, then in Jehol and Chahar, finally in North China. There were calls for war against Japan. The Communists were fanning anti-Japanese sentiment for their own ulterior motives. Generalissimo Chiang realized that China was not ready for pitched battles against the Japanese war machine. He believed China had to suppress the Communist movement internally be fore trying to resist Japanese aggression. His patience in secretly preparing for war against Japan was not completely understood even by some of his immediate subordinates.

The Young Marshal had been shifted to Sian to mop up retreating Communists. But his enthusiasm had weakened and his forces had been victimized by Communist propaganda. He urged the Generalissimo to abandon Communist suppression and turn to war against Japan. The Generalissimo flatly refused. In December, Chiang Kai-shek and other high-ranking officials flew to Sian to investigate rumors of disaffection among Chang's troops. There an event unprecedented in modern Chinese history began to unfold.

The story of the kidnaping of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang was told by the Generalissimo himself in his published diary, A Fortnight in Sian, and by Madame Chiang in her published article, Sian: A Coup d' Etat. Donald's version, as he told Selle in Honolulu, was not much different, except that it gave more emphasis to his own role.

Briefly, this is the way Donald saw the incident:

As news of the kidnapping broke, it was rumored that the Generalissimo had been killed. Madame Chiang told Donald to go to Sian and find out the truth. He flew to Sian December 14 and found that the Generalissimo was alive but a captive of General Yang He-cheng, who had mutinied. The Young Marshal was also involved in the plot. The Young Marshal, acting as spokesman, had con fronted the Generalissimo with demands that he order the troops to fight the Japanese instead of the Chinese Communists. The Generalissimo was outraged. He told the Young Marshal that the time for fighting the Japanese had not yet arrived and that no subordinate had the right to tell him what to do. They could kill him then and there but his ideas would never change. The Young Marshal argued for hours to no avail. The Generalissimo was adamant.

Donald went to General Yang's headquarters with the Young Marshal and found the Generalissimo lying on a wooden bed in a small and dirty room.

Donald said: "Hello, G'issimo."

The Generalissimo sat up and said: "I knew you would come."

"I have come," Donald said, "and Madame is coming too."

"No." the Generalissimo said, "You cannot bring her to this den of thieves."

Donald looked around and suggested the Generalissimo should go to another room. After some thought, Chiang agreed. In the new and better quarters, the Generalissimo told the Young Marshal to sit down but the latter insisted on remaining at attention. The Generalissimo spoke to him harshly. Afterward, Donald sent the Young Marshal away. As the door closed, the Generalissimo turned to Donald and said: "Finished. It is finished." Donald was surprised and puzzled that the Generalissimo should speak in English. After arranging the Generalissimo's personal effects, Donald went to see the Young Marshal in a visit that became the turning point of the incident. He handed a book to the Young Marshal and said: "I brought along something you must read. It's Chiang Kai-shek's diary. I believe you'll find him a greater patriot than you have supposed." The Young Marshal read a few pages and said slowly: "I see. Chiang all along has been preparing for war against Japan. I'm beginning to see him in a new light."

The Young Marshal showed Donald a copy of eight demands contained in the original telegram of the rebelling troops. He told Donald he had been reluctant to present them, but that Yang, more powerful than he, had insisted. Together they went to the Generalissimo and the Young Marshal read the demands. Chiang balked at each point. He said that in any event he would consider no demands in his present circumstances. Donald tried mediation but the Generalissimo stood his ground.

Nanking was preparing for military action, including the bombing of Sian. Dr. T.V. Soong, the minister of finance and brother of Madame Chiang, arrived on December 20 to confer with Sian officers. He met with the Generalissimo and emerged to announce that Chiang was still un wavering in his decision not to agree to anything while under detention.

Donald flew back to Nanking to accompany Madame Chiang to Sian on December 22. The Generalissimo was happy to see her but his attitude was still resolute.

By this time, the Young Marshal had been completely won over by Chiang's diary. General Yang Hu-cheng was still insisting on the demands. On Christmas Day, the Young Marshal conceived the idea of disguising the Generalissimo and spiriting him away. Madame Chiang objected strongly. She wanted the Generalissimo to leave with dignity. The Yang group finally gave up and agreed to let the Generalissimo return to Nanking. The Young Marshal and General Yang came to send off their commander. They stood at rigid attention as the Generalissimo admonished them for their misconduct. Then he singled out the Young Marshal.

"Han-ching," he said, using Chang's courtesy name, "you stay in Sian with your troops."

"No," the Young Marshal answered, "I have been accused of mutiny but I am innocent. I am going on the plane with you to stand court martial. "

Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Madame Chiang, Dr. T.V. Soong, Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang and W.H. Donald returned to Nanking, ending one of the most bizzare stories of the century. The nation rejoiced at the leader's safety.
The Young Marshal was sentenced by court martial to life imprisonment. The Generalissimo softened this to protective custody for 10 years. Now a free man, the Young Marshal is in Taiwan and devoting himself to study of the history of the Ming dynasty.

Donald received the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon for his part in the Sian Incident. The rest of his life story was an anticlimax. He served the Chiangs until 1940, then resigned to cruise the Western Pacific in his yacht. Pearl Harbor Day found him in Manila. When the Japanese occupied the Philippines, he was interned at Santo Tomas and then at Los Banos. He was ill when he regained his freedom after V-J day. He thought that he, like other prisoners, was suffering from malnutrition and decided to recuperate in Tahiti. There a French doctor found he had lung cancer. He cabled Madame Chiang, who arranged for a seaplane to take him to Honolulu. Later he was moved to Country Hospital in Shanghai, where he died in November, 1946.