May 28, 1933
Canton

I am enclosing Dad's questionnaire answered in full. I am glad that you thought of it. It is impossible for me to know just what you want to know and evidently I have neglected a great many things. I hope that my answers are clear and lengthy enough to give you the picture that you want.

Speaking of pictures, I have a tale of woe to tell you. The wet weather here ruined my films while they were in the camera, simply wilted them. However, I have gotten about fifty good negatives from many sources and am having prints made of them. The prints will be finished Tuesday so do not despair -- you will have some pictures.

You ask about my job and the possibility of an increase in pay and more time. As far as an increase in pay is concerned I see absolutely no possibility during the period of my present contract. At the end of the year I believe that I may be offered another year at a small increase. I do not expect them to increase this offer very much. Perhaps they will not even wish to offer another year. At the moment they have six officers studying in England. These officers will return in about six months. It may be that they will prefer to continue training with their own officers trained over there.

Unless they offer me a very substantial increase I will not consider staying on with them. Now I am doing twice as much work as I am paid for and I do not intend to repeat for another year unless I get what I earn. If I were building up it would be different but I am not. I have gotten only fifty hours since I have been here. I do not think I will get many more hours in the months that are left. I could put in quite a few but for reasons I do not expect to do very much flying. Therefore I can't see much percentage in staying on unless they offer me a very decided increase. At present I am not making any money and in addition I am not building up any time. No gain at that rate. I am keeping my eyes open for other possibilities at the end of my current contract.

It is true that I wear the Chinese uniform at my work, but I still am an American citizen and am so registered at the American consulate. This week I am beginning the regular course in Aerial Gunnery. The range is complete and is just the same as the one we had at Rockwell. Everything up to this time, including the Basic instruction, has been leading up to this actual firing of the course. I will have only two ships available for this work so it will necessarily be quite slow. I hope to develop some expert gunners from among the two hundred officers. It was necessary for the three of us to work together on the Basic training, but I alone am running the gunnery.

It has been terribly hot here the past week. There is something about the heat that simply knocks the pins right out from under one. Believe me many years in this place and I wouldn't have enough energy left in me to light a cigarette. Too much of this sun makes me sick as a dog. I am not acclimated as yet.

Jeannette is having one hell of a time with the servants. She now has third number one boy. The first was robbing us to beat the devil on all purchases. She gave him the gate. The next was from Shameen and the sun out here in Tungshan made him sick. The present boy is O.K. and she has him well in hand. Everything is lovely now. The Terrills are leaving us this week and moving into their own home. I think that it will be better for us all around. They have been extremely nice but there is nothing like having your own home.

I am surprised to hear that Oxxy is now a blushing groom. I understood him to say that he would be married in June. Well he might as well get it over with, he will become conscious just that much sooner next year. I am willing to make that admission now and to vouch for its veracity. It is surely pleasant to wake up to reality and discover that you are extremely lucky to be married to the one you are. I am surely delighted with Jeannette, and Lord when I realize how many things might have been wrong which would have made life hell I thank my lucky stars I have been so fortunate.

You bet your bottom dollar that we have been having a big time furnishing our house over here. Just imagine starting from scratch and having to buy everything including the kitchen utensils. It has been a nightmare but is [al]most over thank goodness. it may interest you to know that it has cost about 125 gold. Of course we are not complete but not much more is necessary. That isn't bad is it?

You speak of needing rain. I wish that I could send some over to you. It rains here every day, in fact it is raining now. The first party that we attended after Jeannette arrived was a surprise to her. It was raining cats and dogs. The water was about six inches deep in front of our house. I had to take off my shoes and stockings, roll up my tux pants and carry her to the car. She thought this was some country. After the party on Shameen two of us had to carry her to the car. Can you Californians tie a story like that?

Today is Dragon Boat day. We were going down to Shameen and the river to see the festival but it is raining and besides I have a touch of some Chinese complaint which doesn't make me too anxious to drag down there. We have heard the drums beating continually for the last two weeks. Today is the culmination of the festival, the day when the Dragon boat comes up the river. Thank goodness those infernal drums will stop.

I find that it is impossible to put the thousand and one things of interest in a letter. Even after I return home it will be years before I stop saying "that reminds me." Jeannette and I will both try to keep you informed. Perhaps between the two of us you will be able to form some sort of picture. Although you can not picture this place, you must see it to form any sort of correct image.

I am mighty glad to hear that you are all getting along and not as hard up as I thought. I had it that you were about ready to chuck the whole business. When you write me of the dandy dinners you have I can see that the sun is still in the sky. In fact you break my heart with those menus because we can't have meals like that out here. No fresh vegetables, unless they are cooked.

I hope this letter combined with Jay's questionnaire will answer most of the questions that I heretofore neglected. If not please send me another questionnaire. It is hard to know what is of the most interest to you when I am right here in the middle of it. I received your good letters dated 4-17 and 4-22 yesterday. Keep up the good work, I enjoy them immensely. The typewriter helps-- I can write twice as much. Jeannette joins me in sending all our love.

Love,

Stu.