WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 90 and 91.

Will Lynch hears that Java may fall and then Japanese will make a bid for Australia. He mentions "our cousins" referring to his father's sister and family who emigrated to Australia in 1848.  He meets with Swiss and Japanese Consulate people.  Roselyn


March 7, 1942.  Saturday.  90th Day.
     Sunny and warmer.
     Miss Renee Nieh called and we fixed up a letter to Service, Chungking, to accompany a message to Frank Gallop, C.B.S, N.Y. to deliver to Herby Gallop.  She seems a bit "sweet" on him.  Foolish gal.  She's got plenty on the ball.   Oh hum.
     In p. m., met Swiss Consulate man at U.S. Consulate and gave them Register and Articles of S.S. Ramona, a Panamanian ship captured by Japanese.  Berger, Sawyer, Hinke and 4 Japanese Consular people present.
     Seems Japanese will take Java, and then will make a bid for Australia.  Well, our cousins better waken. 
     Japanese removed many motor cars from Auto Palace, corner of Mercier and Bourgeat.


March 8, 1942.  Sunday.  91st Day.
     Sunny and nice.
     Very few motor cars on streets anymore, due to gas shortage and Japanese.  Streets much cleaner.  Many are walking and lots of bicycles.  Trans crowded.        
     Likewise movies, and many old films being revived.  Romeo and Juliet, revived at Roxy has run about 10 days or 2 weeks and at 2:00 p.m. today, I could not get tickets for 2:30 p.m. show.
     Today's papers had long item re repatriation of Americans, but seems British and Netherlands still unsettled.   Seems Java is about to "throw in the towel".  Then Australia is supposed to be next in line--mebbe (maybe).
     Has taken Allies a long time to get the idea re air planes.  Ho-hum.  Where's Billy Mitchell?   (World War I air pilot).




     

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 87, 88 and 89

Will Lynch is critical of isolationists, pacifists.   He goes to the Ballet.  Roselyn


March 4, 1942.  Wednesday.  87th Day

Bund section of Shanghai today by Greg Davis
Area where foreign countries have Businesses & Embassies  

 Wet but not cold.  Hard on beggars, those the cold winter did not kill.
     Japanese and Germans still claim to be winning.
     Wonder what our lousy isolationists, pacifists, and strikers now think? They should be slightly spanked, etc.
     Won 3-1 from Brookhart and drew 1-1 rummy with J.B.S.
     Repatriation!  Ah.  When?  If?
     Miss R. Nieh sent me a pound of Bakerite "Chews".  Very kind of her.




March 5, 1942.  Thursday.  88th Day.
     Forgot to make the entry.  Was rainy.


March 6, 1942.  Friday.  89th Day.
     Wet in forenoon.  
     Went to Russian Ballet at 2:30 at Grand, capacity 2200.  Full house.  24 piece orchestra was good.  So was the ballet.  All was a success.
     Was lucky to get 2 seats (2 x 3--Chinese $10.00--about US $0.55).  Balcony row 1, seats 6 and 8.  Best seats.  Had been returned tickets.
     Sun shone at 5:00 p.m.  
     In morning called on Capt. Tornroth,  He's all burned up.  He has Chinese $100,000 in S.P.C. and fears to lose all.  Had a hot toddy.
     Repatriation seems to be progressing.  Seems Batavia has fallen to Japanese.  




     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 12, 13, and 14

Dec. 19, 1941.  Friday.  12th Day.
     Am to get a pass at room 302, from our Japanese supervisors.  Hope to go out this p.m.
     Am told to return my hotel bill to the hotel desk and have it referred to Room 302.
     Motor cars, except for favored few, to vanish next week,  Mon.  22nd Dec.  I should worry.  I have no car.
     12:15 p.m.  Got the pass.  At 1:45 p.m., went to my Capt. (Apt.?) and got some items, then bought some, and back by 4:45.  No news.


Dec. 20, 1941.  Saturday.  13th Day.
     5 p.m.  Nothing much to report.  JBS and I are 1-1 on Rummy.  Hear J.B. Powell, an American newsman, pro--Chungking, has been "taken".  I had expected it.
     JBS beat me at Rummy.  Then went to bed.  And, did he snore!
     Had a nice shave and bawth.  We get hot water now 7-9, 12-2, and 7-9.  Hope fuel holds out.


Dec. 21, 1941.  Sunday.  14th Day.
     Let's see---wot 2 rite?  Well, Christmas is next week.  Won a game of Rummy off Mr. Landon.  That's something.  Can't go to the concert (He enjoyed the culture of Shanghai and regularly attended certain concerts, etc.)   Mail notices in paper say "To U.S., uncertain".  News is all against U.S.A.  All "hopped up" a la Heinie (German) type.  Japanese claim Hg ? is "in the bag"--almost.
     A M  ( ?)  called 2:50 p.m.  Played several Rummy games in lobby.
     Vice Consul Shirakuro approached me re taking over my Apartment end of Dec. 1941.  I counter proposed Jan. 31.  Will likely decide tomorrow.  He informed me we (American Staff) would not return to our flats and Su confirmed.

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 10 and 11

Dec. 17, 1941.  Wednesday (I think).  10th Day.
     Sunny.  No headlines.  Maybe "things" ain't going their way.
     Played cards;  Solitaire and then some 2 or 3 hours of Rummy in p.m. with Mr. Landon, a 2nd cousin of Governor Landon's.  No news coming in.  Well, we figure "no news is good news" so should the enemy win a victory, they'd certainly "splash it'.   So what?


Dec. 18, 1941.  Thursday.  11th Day of Captivitiy
     Nice and sunny.  I try to get a "pass" but many other prison mates are ahead of me.  Am to get one tomorrow the 19th.  Will play Rummy with Mr. Landon, if he returns from some outside errands.
    Chan came over and got my laundry.  Bill for Ch. $417.69 plus 41.76 equals 459.45!  Are prisoners to pay their own keep?
     One week to Christmas!  Tra la.  I doubt if Santa'll find me this time.  Yeah, I believe in Santa. Don't you?
     Just across the street tonight I saw   ?  Those venetian blinds ain't enough.  "Life" marches on.
     Motor cars growing less and lesser.  Gas is scarce.


     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 8 and 9

Dec. 15, 1941.  Monday. 8th Day
      Glory Be!  I stay in Room 309.  JBS moves in;  sun shines today.  News?  Oh, yeah!  He's a fresh air fiend.  Opens windows.  So do I, but within reason.


Dec. 16, 1941.  Tuesday. 9th Day.
     Cash!  Finally got Ch. (Chinese) $350.00.  Bank balance is Ch. $9.71.  We are limited to Ch. $500.00 withdrawals per  (day)  ?  or per ?  But that can't bother me.  See my balance.  But I think I'll get by--if  "black market" holds up.
     I gave US $10.00 to Stanton to give to Mr. Ruben ?.  This $10.00 is in my safe marked  "I. O. Miss Lee US $10.00."   It is in Govt. money.  Mr. Stanton is to tell Miss Lee (Phillips).
     Bought  Vicks Cough drops--Ch. $4.00.  News meager.  "Scuttle But" seems maybe the fortunes of war aren't favoring the enemy.
     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 6 and 7

Dec. 13, 1941.  Sat, 6th Day     
     Colder.  No sun. Registrations seem to be finished.  News?  Chiefly in reverse.
     5:27 p.m.  Awful drab day.  Not even wild rumors to enliven existence.
     Hotel posts a notice requesting its "esteemed guests" to refrain from spreading rumors. 
     Pop "D" got "tipsy" and made an "ass" of himself at dinner table.  Rest of us disgusted.
     Weekly gazettes (Emporia Gazettes?) July-October 1939 came when I was in States.  Am reading them. 


Dec. 14, 1941.  7th Day Sunday.
     Cold, rainy, dreary.  Hum-drummy.   Propaganda:  we get lots of it as news.
     Moving.  I am to move to 316 with Mr. D.  I object and am to remain in 309 and JBS from 401 is to be my mate.  I offer to help him move now, 7 p.m., to make sure no cancellation as 309 overlooking the street gets some sun.  I am hoping my bestest.
     Gave Mr. Groves, Commercial Attache, a crib (cribbage) lesson proper.  "Skunked" him. 
     Lots of rumors.     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 4 and 5.

Dec. 11, 1941,  4th Day 
     Insomnia.  Heard Customs Clock strike 3 a.m.  Put some mentholatum in nose.  Sunny crisp weather today.
     7:30 a.m.  Awake.  Streets almost deserted.
     2:40 p.m.  My phone in hotel room 309 is sealed.  Now, ain't that sumpin?
     My, what line up to register across the street this morn.  Line reached a whole block at times.
     I hear my boy (man servant) has disobeyed and did not stay in my apt. or rather was not in this a.m. about 10.  I'll bawl him out.   Am informed the "Swastikas" are appearing in large quantities.


Dec. 12, 1942.   5th Day
     Up betimes, about 7:30.  Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
     Apply for a pass to go to my apt. about 3/4 hour this p.m.  Guess I'd better prepare, so will, I hope, do some packing, just in case.
     2 p.m.  Got pass.  Go across street to apt.  Pack clothing, just in case.  Bring back some duds and reading.  Turn in pass at 5 p.m. to our "overseers" at room 407.


     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Day 3

Dec. 10, 1941.   Wednesday.  3rd Day
     Heard Custom House clock strike 7 a.m.  Broke my vow and shaved, hot bath, and dressed.  Wonder what the day'll bring forth.
     3. p.m.  Several of us were "escorted" to Consulate offices to get personal belongings.  Two Japanese Consular officials (minors) and a booted and armed gendarme went along as guards. Broke seals to room 409 and to my safe.  Got my 65.00.  Back to Hotel by 5:00 p.m.
     Lost Casino to Collins  3-2.  Dinner at 8 p.m. in basement dining room, a sort of Rathskeller of a place.
     I've got Sydney Lafoon's LIFE for Oct. 6, 1941.. Would like a late issue of TIME. 
     11:59 p.m.  To bed.  Can't sleep, darn it.  Must be insomnia.  My conscience is clear.
     Long lines of British and Americans across the street to register today.
     Registration by J. authorities is in Hamilton House.  Property declaration is required.  Likely is a prelude to ????
     I hear J. Navy gave American Navy YMCA one hour to clear out.  Rev. Kline on Dec. 8th told me they had to clear out of Moore Memorial Church building on Yu Ya Ching Road.  J. were going to take over Foreign YMCA but apparently Sec. Hines talked fluently and convinced Japanese it was international, and staved off any action.

WR Lynch WW II Diary Day 2

Dec. 9, 1941. Tuesday, 2nd Day in Detention.
         Have told Chan, my "Boy". to camp in my flat, just across street in Hamilton House.  Sent a friend over to get a needle and thread and ASPRO (asperin).  Had put on heavy winter suit and keys had last year worn a hole in pocket, right side.  No news, except lousy propaganda, and U.S. Navy wise acts at Honolulu.  Seems U.S. Navy got caught with its "pants down".  Wet and rainy.  
     We hope our captors will relent and let us walk around outside--unless some damn fool "patriot" in U.S.A. goes amuck and hurts some Jap.  Local newspapers much reduced.  China Press and N.C.D. News suppressed.  News shows that USS OKLAHOMA and another got bombed  and sunk at Pearl Harbor.
     All British and Americans are to be required to register with Japanese military.  Played cards.  Played Hinke for a beer but he took a cocktail at 7:70 vs. 1.65!  Never again with him.
     Haven't been able to return to my flat, darn it, but friends report all is well.
     My whiskers grow but I vow I won't shave "for the duration".
     Confinement and no work is tiring and irksome.  One fellow, Brookhart, stepped out on hotel entrance and a Jap. guard was immediately at his side.
     US $ was reported at Ch. $11.50 vs CH. $30.00 on Sat., Dec 6, 1941.
     Jap. flags are on American Club, about a block away.
     
     

Letter from China in 1921

A primary source for historians, this letter is from "Uncle Will" Lynch in Canton, China dated 1921.  He is telling his little sister, Hazel Lynch, to ask their father, James Lynch, many questions about his life.  James is an old man but his mind is clear and she records what he tells her.  Uncle William Reuben Lynch was an interesting person who spent many years with the American Diplomatic Corp in Shanghai, China. Very intelligent and enjoying culture like music, the ballet, etc., on his furloughs home in his later years, he loved being a "local", his ample body and bald head dressed in bib overalls and a very large straw hat.  His letters were legendary with their (sometimes) ribald humor and descriptions of what he was doing and seeing. More about him later.   The letter is printed in its entirety, exactly as we have it.  Roselyn

Will Lynch in 1922

Canton, China
May 31, 1921

Miss Hazel Lynch
Miller, Kansas, USA

Dear Miss Hazel:
     You are a wise little bird.  You are a junior in the High School.  You've written biographies of all the poets, generals, and whatnots in all of your school books.  You've paraphrased poetry until you have butchered it all out of shape.  You can knock the socks off'n a Latin verb.  What you can't do to mathematics is not worth doing.  I'll bet you still say "I have went" and "I seen it" but did that little head of yours ever jump into a real live up-to-date task?  No, it never did.  So now after getting such a "Bunk of an education", let me put you to work on something that is real, something that has some value to it, a touch of human interest to your own blood and flesh.  Thusly, and in this wise, 'tis thus I would speak and have words with thee.
      Did it ever occur to you to write a biography of a member of your family?  I rather think not.  So I enclose a skeleton outline, rather sketchy, I'll admit, but on the whole it should give one of your education an idea of my general drift.  I want you to take it as a sort of a guide and pump Dad for all the information you can get out of him on the subject of his origin and general wanderings and experiences during his hectic life.  You ought to get a pretty big bunch of exceptionally interesting data.  If you have a facile pen (and I think you should possess such an article after these past three years of high grade instruction) you should be able to write a composition, or rather a biography, that will have the "human interest" factor in it to the nth degree.      
     While sticking to cold facts, it should at the same time cause one's imagination to run riot, for Dad's been "around quite a bit", despite the fact that ever since I knew him, he's been "around home" chiefly.  Besides giving you a work out on a real live subject, this will have the added value of preserving in writing a few events effecting yourself.  One is, and should be, always interested in his "Family tree".  Some people call it "lineage".  So, here is your job.  Hop to it.
     I'm sending this outline in duplicate.  You may retain one copy and forward the other to me.
     Thanking you, I beg to remain,
                  Your obedient servant.
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