19 NOVEMBER

It's still raining, and we are still relentlessly packing. I'm trying toclose the company books, but work keeps getting in the way of work. Han hasdrawn out a large sum in cash. I'm transferring most of the company's money and2,000 dollars of my own to Hankow. All the employees will be given their fullNovember salary now, so that they can buy food before the last shops close. Ican store only one ton of coal and four canisters of petroleum, there's simplyno more to be had at present. The servants walk about with large, terrifiedeyes, because they think I'll be leaving on the Kutwo as well. They'llbe happy again once I explain straight out that I am definitely staying on inNanking, come what may.

　　An International Committee has been formed, made up primanly of Americandoctors from Kulou Hospital and professors from Nanking University, allmissionaries. They want to try to create a refugee camp, or better, a neutralzone inside or outside the city, where noncombatants can take refuge m case theaty comes under fire Smce word has got around that I intend to stay on, I wasapproached about whether I would like to join the committee. I agreed and atdinner this evening at Professor Smythe's home, I made the acquaintance of agood number of the American members.

Threepeople from the German embassy are remaining behind for now: Hurter, Dr. Rosen,and Scharffenberg. It's unclear to me why they're keeping Dr. Rosen here. WhenI Iearn that he did not volunteer, I ask Frau Trautmann to intercede with theambassador, who is still here for the moment, to get the order reversed. FrauTrautmann will do what she can. What good to us is someone whose heart is notin this? Dr. Rosen knows nothing about my intervention yet and he never needsto learn. Melchior of Carlowitz & Co. tried to talk me out of my decisionto stay I thanked him, but declined.

I amnot walking into thi~ enterprise with my eyes closed. My decision has beenmade. Don't be angry with me, Dora dear. I cannot do otherwise! By the way, Dr.Hirschberg and his family as well as Frau von Schuckmann, are all staying on;so is Mr. Hansen, the head of Texas Oil Co. So I'm not the only one risking hishide. Mr. Han is determined to stay by me through thick and thin. I expected noless of him. A fine fellow!

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