From the letter written to
Ranu by Rabindranath on 11Jan, 1923, it was known that a gentleman from China came to invite him to visit to China. This request was made to him by the youths of China to visit north and south of this country for three months. When Elmhirst went to China, Rabindranath requested him to enquire about the issue. It was probable that Elmhirst had sent him some positive information. In reply to that Rabindranath wrote two cablegrams , one to Elmhirst and the other to the person of the Lecture Association, invited him. If the second one didn't reach the addressee, Leonard would inform the the secretary of his going there. Having got the news, the Secretary of the organisation F.C.Tsiang had written on 6 Jan, 1923 to Rabindranath;
" We just received from Elmhirst your cablegram to himand are exceedingly happy to know that you are already atrranging to come over. We have a suspicion that you might have replied us directly as well, but as we didn't give sufficient address the message might have been miscarried somehow or other. In any case we are glad that you have made up mind to visit China, and the news has proved a tremendous joy to all your admirers already. We are expecting your arrival either end of July or beginning of Aug. Please let us know the exact date directly you have booked your passage. We are to remit you by cable the sum of $1000, in a day or two, to cover the expenses of your first voyage.
Address for cable; " Lingchichas Nanchangchieh Peking."
18th Oct 1923 North China Star informed in the title "Indian Philosopher Will Lecture in Peking next", Spring." Rabindranath at the invitation of Peking University will deliver lectures for a month.
In Madras the paper Swarajya [11 Nov] issued a warning message;
" The news paper report that Rabibabu's visit to China will do no good to himself or to the Chinese, as the political conditions are so unsettled, and the bandits so active all over China that the people will not listen to the author of Gitanjali. Besides the Chinese are downright materialists today, and Rabi Babu's idealism, which does not promise gold, opium, and concubines is not likely to appeal them." But the Chinese poet Hsu Chi-mo [tsemon Hsu, 1896-1931]on 27 dec wrote a letter to Rabindranath protesting the above statement;
" ...Perhaps India is not well informed of the literary news in China. We have been doing well in preparing ourselves in welcoming you when you arrive. Nearly all the leading magazines here have published articles on you and special numbers are issued in honour of your visit. Most of your works in English have appeared in Chinese translation, some in more than one version. never before has a single witer, Eastern or Western , excited so much genuine interest in the heart of our young nations......"Ananda bazar Patrika published the Bengali translation of the letter.
" We just received from Elmhirst your cablegram to himand are exceedingly happy to know that you are already atrranging to come over. We have a suspicion that you might have replied us directly as well, but as we didn't give sufficient address the message might have been miscarried somehow or other. In any case we are glad that you have made up mind to visit China, and the news has proved a tremendous joy to all your admirers already. We are expecting your arrival either end of July or beginning of Aug. Please let us know the exact date directly you have booked your passage. We are to remit you by cable the sum of $1000, in a day or two, to cover the expenses of your first voyage.Address for cable; " Lingchichas Nanchangchieh Peking."
18th Oct 1923 North China Star informed in the title "Indian Philosopher Will Lecture in Peking next", Spring." Rabindranath at the invitation of Peking University will deliver lectures for a month.
In Madras the paper Swarajya [11 Nov] issued a warning message;
" The news paper report that Rabibabu's visit to China will do no good to himself or to the Chinese, as the political conditions are so unsettled, and the bandits so active all over China that the people will not listen to the author of Gitanjali. Besides the Chinese are downright materialists today, and Rabi Babu's idealism, which does not promise gold, opium, and concubines is not likely to appeal them." But the Chinese poet Hsu Chi-mo [tsemon Hsu, 1896-1931]on 27 dec wrote a letter to Rabindranath protesting the above statement;" ...Perhaps India is not well informed of the literary news in China. We have been doing well in preparing ourselves in welcoming you when you arrive. Nearly all the leading magazines here have published articles on you and special numbers are issued in honour of your visit. Most of your works in English have appeared in Chinese translation, some in more than one version. never before has a single witer, Eastern or Western , excited so much genuine interest in the heart of our young nations......"Ananda bazar Patrika published the Bengali translation of the letter.
