RON+Diana

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 **Name:** George Ashmore Fitch  **Age:** 54 years old  **Gender:** Male

 **Occupation:** American Protestant missionary in China  **Social Class:** Middle  **Financial Situation:** Gets paid regularly by the Young Men's Christian Association and the Nanking Safety Zone International Committee  **Appearance:** Mr. Fitch is slightly bald with tinted gray hair and clear brown eyes. He wears a suit and a pair of circular glasses to work.  **Location:** ([|Map of Nanking DL]) Nanking, China  **Habitual Locations:** His office at the YMCA in Nanking and he lives about fifteen minutes away from his office. The church he attends, Holy Cross Church, is near his house as well.  **Daily Routine:** Mr. Fitch wakes up at six o’clock every morning and attends a morning service at the Holy Cross Church with his wife. After the service, he eats breakfast with fellow missionaries and other people who attend the church. He arrives at his office around nine o’clock in time for a daily meeting held at ten o’clock. As the director, instead of working on one particular issue or task, he mostly oversees affairs and deals with the paperwork in his office and interacts with fellow leaders working in different parts of the region. The YMCA provides aid by raising money and spending it on welfare efforts for soldiers involved in the war. It is also involved in supporting prisoners of war by helping young men leave internment camps to receive education and providing youth activities in the camps.  **Personality/Quirks/Unique Traits:** Mr. Fitch is a generous old man with a pleasant voice who people find is easy to approach, hence his nickname, Silent Santa. He is a hard worker as well as a sincere husband and father. He believes whatever path he follows is God’s will.  **Past/Individual-Family History:** Mr. Fitch was raised in a Christian family; his father, George F. and Mary Fitch were both Presbyterian missionaries in Soochow, China, where he was born.  **Family:** Married Alberta C. Kempton with whom he had six children; later he married Geraldine Townsend and had two more children.  **Social Relations with Classes:** Mr. Fitch is generally very open-minded and generous. He is eager to help out people who have been suffering in the current series of chaotic conflicts that are beginning to worsen. Although he is horrified bythe brutal acts committed by the Japanese, he does not have any feelings of hatred toward them. He prays that a day would come when there would be peace and harmony in China. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Religion:** Christian <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Education:** Graduated from College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1906 and Union Theological Seminary (New York) with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1909

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Diary Entry #1: Calm Before the Storm
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> September 27, 1937

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> I see trees coated with red and orange appearing here and there, and the weather has already started to become chilly; I should watch out for a cold. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> What I am about to relate is anything but a pleasant story; in fact, I can only say that I am simply astounded and disgusted that this is happening before my very own eyes and am sad to think that the situation may get worse. Just recently, the Japanese has declared war on China. What does this mean? Nothing other than another marked beginning of a series of chaotic events throughout this country, with an increasing number of conflicts. Soon, the poor young souls will be conscripted into the national army, including some of my dear friends and companions here in Nanking who have been working as doctors, and many will have to face death once this crisis eventually grows. A handful of physicians have already left Nanking to work elsewhere. My good friend Robert Wilson is the only surgeon I know who is faithfully keeping his post at the Nanking Hospital. I have known Dr. Wilson for a little more than a year now; he was born in Nanking but had been in the United States for his education at Princeton and Harvard. He returned sometime last year and claimed that much has changed. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Too much is going on at the moment, and I am shocked to see that everything is happening so rapidly. All I can do is stay faithful in doing my task and letting God do the rest for my family, my friends, this country, for the Father will never betray his children nor will He ignore their passionate outcries. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Geraldine is worried as well, and we had a good long talk about this situation the night before. Why did God lead us here in time for the war? Why did God place us in these particular circumstances? Surely the Almighty Lord must have a reason for it, and a special meaning behind this that we cannot fully comprehend just yet. We will let the potter’s hand work in us. Instead of worrying, we will stay strong and let our faith also stand firm.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Diary Entry #2: A Knock at the Gate
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">November 15, 1937

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> The undesirable yet expected has finally occurred: two days ago, the Japanese military has started to invade this very city of Nanking. We were all especially anxious yesterday at the morning service. The Y.M.C.A will be kept busy from now; we will have to start focusing on providing aid for the prisoners of war as well as youth services for the Japanese-American soldiers who are put in camps as the situation intensifies from this point on. After the morning service, everyone was in a serious mood with heavy hearts during breakfast. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Today was indeed a long day. I was kept busy at work as the daily meeting was prolonged to three hours; many issues were brought up and all of us have clearly realized that there are numerous aspects to consider. I’ve been signing papers and proposals as well as receiving phone calls from doctors and leaders of other organizations for the rest of the day. I feel pressured being responsible for all the campaigns and the final outcome, whether good or bad. However, such conflicts have happened in the past and the Y.M.C.A is full of devoted, ambitious people who I can trust with anything. I am also confident that God is watching over us and will continue to provide guidance as he has always done as we proceed. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Yesterday, I attended the evening service for a special prayer night at church with Geraldine after a quick dinner at home. Dear Geraldine sat next to a lovely woman named Eva at the prayer night, whom I was introduced to afterwards. Eva’s husband, James H. McCallum works as a doctor in this area. My wife and I have been able to learn quite a bit about Dr. McCallum and Eva that night as we shared a lengthy conversation about the growing crisis. Dr. McCallum works at the University of Nanking Hospital, usually treating severely wounded patients. He, too, like my friend Wilson, is one of the rare physicians who did not leave the area as soon as Japan officially declared war on China last month. He is aware of the risks and that he would have to work tirelessly treating patients of war, especially since there are very few skilled surgeons and doctors here. He is worried about the scarcity of medical help available but believes that he must be all the more steadfast. I admire his work ethic and faith in God; I can see that Mr. McCallum is truly devoted to his work, to his family, and to the Heavenly Father. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Everyone is sensitive and worried at the moment as anything could happen now. Geraldine tells me not to worry about her, but I can't help myself when I am unable to see her during the afternoon when I am working at the Y.M.C.A. I am a bit relieved that at least she is with friends during the day. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Last night, I read the following verse before I went to sleep that calmed me down. As Christians, I am thankful that my family and friends can always turn to the Lord in the end.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your requests to God. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Philippians 4:6-7

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Diary #3: The Gates Come Tumbling Down
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">To my good friend John, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> I’ve been meaning to write to you for a long time – please forgive me for putting this off until now. How have you and Faith been doing? The holiday season is already here, for I am writing this letter on Christmas Eve. As you know, however, I am afraid to say that this holiday season will not be an enjoyable and merry one at all. I am about to relate to a story full of unbelievable horror and crime, for I am one of the few unfortunate witnesses to such brutal scenes here in Nanking. Despite the incredible bestiality of mankind I have seen, it is a story that must be told. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> The beautiful city of Nanking is nowhere to be seen; it is now completely looted, burned, ravaged, and overtaken by anarchy. It is hard to believe that this only started approximately two weeks ago, when Nanking was under siege. The Chinese army has left, defeated, and now the Japanese soldiers have come. Although my life has never been in danger, my safety is not guaranteed. The Japanese Army is not at all pleased about our presence especially after ordering all foreigners to leave. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> I’ve seen a number of drunken Japanese soldiers raping Chinese women, and it is painful to see them hysterically crying before me begging to save them from the beasts who are preying on them. Innocent civilians are literally dragged out before my eyes, and I immediately hear the sound of guns that are killing them. The Japanese soldiers have been busy loading their trucks with items from the stores and setting fire to the buildings. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> The International Committee for Nanking Saftey Zone has been calling upon the Japanese Embassy to present our protests and appeals, and we have been met with Japanese courtesy. In effect, they are powerless; their victorious soldiers are committing acts of murder and rape at will on the people they have come to protect as they have claimed to the world. This, John, is the rape of Nanking, whose page will stand the blackest among all modern history. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> I am deeply upset and astonished at the moment. I pray to God that he will keep you and your family safe over there.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Best regards, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> George A. Fitch <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> December 24, 1937

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">media type="youtube" key="PhmH1MJ-sTA?fs=1" height="385" width="480" <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The Sundance documentary trailer of the Nanking Massacre portraying the horror of the event.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">January 12, 1938 <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nanking has transformed into hell on earth. I’ve never imagined such the Japanese soldiers to be so barbaric, capable of such unbelievable savagery and brutality. Since last month, the International Committee for Nanking Safety Zone, which Mr. John Rabe is the head of, has been negotiating with the Chinese and Japanese in order to protect and reinstate the Nanking Safety Zone which would not be bombed or shelled and the remaining population of Nanking could take refuge. I believe the success of our task is essential at this period of crisis as the Chinese Army had been putting up with a long resistance at Shanghai and their morale is close to being crushed. After the fall of the city of Nanking, the refugees streamed into the Nanking Safety Zone. We could see two Japanese airships beyond the Purple Mountain to direct artillery fire. Heavy guns pounded the south wall and shells dropped into the city, killing around forty people. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> As one of the few eyewitnesses of the Nanking Massacre, I, along with Mr. Miner Bates and Mr. John Magee, am responsible for documenting the accounts of this historical event. In spite of the chaotic situations, we must mimeograph our stories and send them out to friends, churches, and government officials in hopes that they will be widely known and recognized throughout the world someday. Mr. Magee is shooting films of crime scenes that the Japanese are committing and the terrifying pain of the Chinese victims. When I temporarily leave China in a few days, I plan to smuggle these clips and use them to give speeches about what we have witnessed notably to the American public. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Currently, I am separated from Geraldine and my fellow church members. I continue to write to her and am thankful that she is doing well. I just wish everything would be over soon.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">media type="youtube" key="YeIxDezImGM?fs=1" height="385" width="480"
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Film clips shot by Mr. John Magee and successfully smuggled by Mr. George Ashmore Fitch.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Diary #5: A Survivor
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">December 20, 1960 <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Twenty-two years have already passed since the Japanese surrender to the United States, ending the World War II but the incident is nonetheless vivid inside my mind. Amid the horrendous event, I have had the privilege to befriend Lin Xhuang, a Chinese student at the time, who provided me an earful of stories from a civilian’s point of view. Shortly after the Nanking Massacre, I mostly traveled abroad to give speeches and show films that were documented. When I went to Shanghai in 1938, I remember my stories were sensational to the people and were widely distributed around the area as it was the first news of the capital since it fell.Ten years after the Nanking Massacre, I went to serve the Y.M.C.A in Korea and I am currently writing this diary entry in Taiwan. I plan to continue telling our stories by publishing an autobiography sometime soon. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Every holiday season, the scenes I have witnessed long ago in Nanking no longer haunt me as they used to, but stir up a different feeling that is hard to illustrate through words – a deep feeling of emptiness, sorrow, and compassion must be the closest way of description. Never will I forget the cries of the Chinese victims suffering from the pain, the fear, and the horror of it all. The Rape of Nanking is also most likely the highest point in my career, serving as the head of the Y.M.C.A and the Administrative Director in the International Committee for Nanking Safety Zone. God’s unfailing love and grace has also amazed me, for he has protected me and Geraldine throughout this dangerous journey. I will continue to trust in him until I close my eyes, for I have been able to confirm his affection for his people. Wherever we go, he will always be with us.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Citations
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> "George Ashmore Fitch (1883-1979)." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:George_Ashmore_Fitch.png>. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelinfo/photoLg.asp?phID=564 <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">http://westernthm.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/are-you-reading-the-bible-wrong/