Manuscripts

Chan Shee

1 of 2

Description: A studio portrait of Chan Shee.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date: 1902
Call number: mssChangpapers
Find out more: View in the Huntington Digital Library(Opens in new tab); View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)

Jones Chan letter to Joseph Chan

Manuscripts

Letter written by Jones Chan, a private, stationed at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, to his brother, Joseph Chan, living in San Francisco, California. At the beginning of the letter, Chan admits his feelings were hurt when his brother made a sarcastic remark and "showed complete ignorance" about the geographic location of Dutch Harbor. Chan quotes his brother, "Mr. Jones Chan who is at present is so willingly serving his country by defending the North Pole" (p. 2). Chan proceeds to educate his brother on the location and significance of Dutch Harbor. He states, "Any student of military science will tell you the strategic & tactical importance of this harbor" (p. 3). He touches upon the harbor's strategic importance, weapons, supplies, and military life. He confidently states, "...we will have 5,000 soldiers to defend the island against sea & air attack...since we are defending it, the advantage is ours, & it will take the offensive several times that number to successfully destroy or occupy Dutch Harbor" (p. 5). He also discusses, "Order is to shoot to kill anyone prowling around - shoot first & ask questions later - especially the Marines who have machine guns by the Naval Radio Station. In all cases, the Battery Commander, & C.O., will back us up to the limit. So we never hesitate to fire our rifles at prowlers, imaginary or otherwise" (p. 9). He concludes the letter with "P.S. No Eskimo or Russian girls here - just Aleut...Indians. I'm afraid you'll have to find your ideal yourself..." (p. 11).

mssHM 80820

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