The Chinese Students’ Monthly
One hundred years ago today … The Chinese Students’ Monthly was the main organ of the Chinese Students’ Alliance, a nationwide organization for Chinese nationals studying in the US.
The Chinese Students’ Monthly June 1920, p. 1. Hathitrust.
The Chinese Students’ Monthly June 1920, p. 2 Hathitrust.
Founded in 1906, the Monthly was published at 1116 Amsterdam Avenue, headquarters of the Columbia University Chinese Students Club, pictured in the June issue.
The Chinese Students’ Monthly June 1920, p. 64. Hathitrust.
The magazine featured news and editorials about Chinese politics, plus essays and arts features by Chinese students in the US–and a voluminous advertising section.
It carried messaging for the Chinese Students’ Alliance …
The Chinese Students’ Monthly June 1920, p. 7. Hathitrust.
… including this article by “Miss” Lilly Soo-Hoo about the benefits of attending the Alliance conferences:
The Chinese Students’ Monthly June 1920, p. 29. Hathitrust.
Soo-Hoo would become Vice-President of the Alliance in 1921, and went on to become an accomplished writer/memoirist. This photo is from 1921:
Image courtesy Boxer Indemnity Scholars.
Some student contributions to the Monthly were creative efforts. The April 1920 issue featured Shen Hung’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, set in modern-day US with Chinese protagonists.
The Chinese Students’ Monthly April 1920, p. 50. Hathitrust.
The US was the first nation to which China sent university students, starting in 1872, but really expanding in 1909 with the federal Boxer Indemnity Scholarships program, which used funds from Chinese reparations after the 1900 Boxer Rebellion.
On February 7, 1920, The Evening World reported that, according to the Alliance’s published materials, there were 1,124 Chinese nationals studyingin the US.
The Evening World. 7 February 1920, p. 8. Newspapers.com.
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN GOLDMAN, JUNE 26, 2020.
TAGS: Chinese, China, foreign students, Columbia University, student organizations