Chapter IV

Excerpts from the writings of Mme Jacqueline Dubois
- Translated by Gay Talbot-Stratford

General Worton continued his narrative. “We landed in territory occupied and controlled by the Japanese but infiltrated by Chinese bandits. In the region, there were bands of Maoist soldiers, others loyal to the puppet government of Wang Ching Wei. These war lords behaved unpredictably. As well, there were troops of the central government. This was a place where anything could happen.’

‘Once we were off the plane, there was a short official reception presided over by General Dai Ichi, of the Japanese Armed Forces. Following this, Walter Curley and I were driven into town in a Mercedes, accompanied by the Japanese General. Lieutenant Sze was in another Mercedes with a Chinese official, and the rest of the group travelled in an old Packard.

‘Our three cars followed by a dozen other cars. We tore along the dusty road with horns blaring, jostling the peasants in their carts, the cyclists and the pedestrians. We could not help but see the smiling faces and the joyful shouts as our cortege approached. It was most reassuring! The Japanese however, were stony faced.

‘From the moment we arrived at the Astor House Hotel where luxurious suites had been reserved for us, we entered into negotiations for the surrender and the repatriation of the Japanese.

‘The most exciting moment of this adventure occurred when our troops arrived in Tientsin. The citizens stood in the streets for twelve hours to welcome them.’
“I was among them” interjected Marcel Mauroit, “I had recently returned from Weihsien.”
“We were all in the streets,”added Bogart, ”It is a day that none of us will ever forget.”

“I am a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune” announced an American officer who sat in front of the general,» I have covered the entry of the Allies into Berlin, London, Paris and Rome, I have seen nothing to compare with the spontaneous joy and enthusiasm of the people of Tientsin on the day we arrived here.”
“What struck me most» added Walter Curley,” was our first contact with the Japanese. It passed without incident, in a calm way. They moved us in limousines followed by a dozen cars and trucks driven by military personnel armed with pistols and guns. Among them was a Chinese civilian who seemed to find the situation quite normal. Even today, despite the presence of an American army of occupation, the Japanese stroll quietly in the streets. They eat at the same restaurants as we do. Their wives shop as if nothing has happened, as if Japan had not lost the war. Two Japanese officers have a room close to mine in the hotel. Every morning at breakfast time, we take the same lift. We greet each other coldly, and then we look away!

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