Along the way, Alan Bart kept looking through the rearview mirror to secretly observe Zhou Hexuan behind him, as if he had flowers on his face.
After arriving at Columbia University, Alan Bart and Sun Yongzhen stayed in the car to wait, while Zhang Pengchun took Zhou Hexuan directly to the president's office.
The president of Columbia University at this time was Nicholas Murray Butler. He was bald and white-haired, even his beard was white. Although he was old, he was very strong. He seemed to be familiar with Zhang Pengchun, and he smiled and gave him a bear hug: "Zhang Pengchun
,We meet again."
"Hello, principal!" Zhang Pengchun said respectfully.
Pengchun Chang graduated from Columbia College of Education in his early years, and Butler happened to be the founder of this college.
The exchanges between the two do not end there. Butler is also the chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the chairman of the American Chapter of the International Mediation Commission. He has served as an adviser to seven US presidents in his life. He often pays attention to Asian and African affairs, especially
It is news that China will also win the Nobel Peace Prize two years later.
Pengchun Chang, along with Hu Shi and John Dewey, founded the "China-American Association" in Manhattan to enhance mutual understanding between the people of China and the United States through cultural and educational exchanges. This time, Columbia University invited Pengchun Chang to the United States.
The lectures are based on the efforts of the "China-American Association", which is the only influential non-governmental exchange organization between the two countries.
Butler's understanding of China was obviously greatly influenced by Chang Pengchun.
Butler looked at Zhou Hexuan, smiled and shook hands and said, "Is this Mr. Zhou?"
Zhang Pengchun introduced: "Mr. Zhou, this is Mr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University."
"Hello, Mr. Barrett." Zhou Hexuan greeted.
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down separately.
Butler smiled and said: "Mr. Zhou, can you tell me in detail about the war that took place in Northeast China?"
Zhou Hexuan was stunned. He did not expect that Butler would not talk about the stock market crash and economic crisis, but instead asked about the Middle East Road incident.
In fact, the reason is very simple. Butler is an anti-war person. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which he serves as chairman, is very concerned about wars in Africa and Asia, and Zhou Hexuan is very close to Zhang Xueliang.
As for why Butler knew that Zhou Hexuan and Zhang Xueliang had a close personal relationship, it must have been Zhang Pengchun who said it.
Zhou Hexuan asked: "Do you want to hear the specific story, or my evaluation of this war?"
"I want to know the details so I can evaluate it," Butler said.
"Then we have to start from the Qing Dynasty of China..." Zhou Hexuan began to tell the history of Tsarist Russia's invasion of China.
Butler knew all this history, but he did not interrupt impatiently. Instead, he listened to Zhou Hexuan's talk from the late Qing Dynasty to the present. Especially the current situation in Northeast China after Zhang Xueliang took over, Butler listened extremely carefully.
Regarding the Middle East Road incident, Zhou Hexuan seemed very helpless. The reason why he did not stay with Zhang Xueliang and persuade him was not only that he wanted to come to the United States to make a fortune, but also that Zhang Xueliang could not listen to his advice.
Zhang Xueliang has a very contradictory personality. He is both indecisive and resolute. No one can persuade him to do what he believes in.
Before the Middle East Road incident broke out, not only Zhou Hexuan tried to persuade him, but Zhang Zuoxiang also tried to persuade him, but to no avail. Even if Zhou Hexuan stayed with Zhang Xueliang all day long, it would be useless, because he had already made a decision in his heart.
To sum up, Zhang Xueliang was impulsive and resolute when making major early decisions, but when he needed to solve specific difficulties, he became indecisive. This was the case with the Middle East Road Incident, the September 18th Incident, and the Xi'an Incident. It has never changed.
To use the analogy of playing LoL, it means that you are very determined when starting a group, but the group fighting is very bad.
After listening to Zhou Hexuan's detailed account, Barratt did not express any opinion, but asked: "In Mr. Zhou's opinion, what if peace in the Far East is achieved?"
Zhou Hexuan did not answer, but asked with a smile: "Does Mr. Butler love peace?"
"Of course, I hope there will never be a war in the world," Butler said.
Zhou Hexuan raised a question: "But if a country is enslaved by many countries, should this country rise up to resist and win dignity and equality through war, or should it endure the humiliation and enjoy peace?"
"Well..." Butler was suddenly speechless. After thinking carefully, he said, "It's best to solve the problem through peaceful means."
Zhou Hexuan asked with a smile: "In the original United States, if there had been no War of Independence, would the British colonists have peacefully given up their privileges?"
Butler shook his head and said, "No."
Zhou Hexuan said: "For Chinese patriots, war is just a means, and peace is the goal. I know that Western society is very opposed to this war on the Middle East Route and thinks that General Zhang Xueliang initiated the war. But I firmly support Zhang Xueliang.
The general took back the Eastern Route, but there was something wrong with his strategy, so the ending was regrettable."
But Bartlett did not agree with Zhou Hexuan's point of view: "With all due respect, China is a weak country, and using war to solve problems will actually suffer a lot. Only through peaceful means can we win independence step by step. I and other countries' anti-war
People are trying to formulate a set of international rules and hope that future international disputes can be resolved peacefully."
Butler facilitated a contract last year, and not only Britain, the United States, France and other countries signed it, but also Japan, Germany, and the Soviet Union joined this contract organization.
Later, in the Tokyo Trial, the International Court of Justice became an important legal basis when judging Japanese war crimes.
Before Zhou Hexuan came to Columbia University, he specifically asked about some of Butler's deeds. He said sincerely: "Mr. Butler, I personally approve of what you promoted. But to be honest, it is just a piece of waste paper.
There is no binding force for some countries, such as Japan and the Soviet Union. In this Middle East Road incident, the Chinese army only took back its due rights and did not harm the lives of the Soviet people. On the contrary, the Soviet Union took the initiative to cross the border and attack China. This is
A clear violation. But so what?"
Butler said: "This is why I asked you about the incident on the Middle Road. We are investigating the matter and will condemn and sanction the unreasonable party."
"What if there are sanctions?" Zhou Hexuan felt like he was hearing a joke.
Barrett said: "If China also signs it, then the League of Nations will make a decision on it. Unfortunately, China has not yet joined the Non-War Treaty Organization."
Zhou Hexuan felt that talking to this old man was very powerless. The other party was indeed an anti-war person, but it seemed to have no effect other than talking.
It is indeed an important legal basis for the trial of Japanese war criminals, but it will only take effect after the war is over. If Japan is the victorious country, then it will still be a ghost trial. Everything has to rely on strength to speak for itself.
Of course, international public opinion is still very important.
Zhou Hexuan took the initiative and said: "Mr. Butler, I think the non-war treaty organization should pay most attention to Japan. According to my friends in Japan, militaristic thinking is rampant in Japan. Both the government and the people are clamoring for the armed invasion of China.
."
Butler said: "If the investigation is true, I will report this situation to the League of Nations. Japan is a very troublesome country. They always do not follow the rules, and the League of Nations is powerless."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Then let's talk about school cooperation. I hope that Columbia University can reach academic exchange cooperation with Peking University in China and recruit two full scholarship international students from Peking University every year."
"Of course," Bart nodded, "but in return, Mr. Zhou, you must come to Columbia University for academic exchange, at least once a year."
"Then it's settled." Zhou Hexuan said happily. He now has a closer relationship with Peking University and Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University is a wealthy and handsome university and has its own American cooperative school. On the contrary, Peking University needs a good help.
Butler said: "Then I will first help Mr. Zhou arrange an academic exchange meeting and an academic lecture."
Zhou Hexuan said very self-awarely: "Academic exchanges and lectures are limited to history and sociology. I have no research in the economic field."
"No problem," Bartlett said, although he felt a little regretful, but still extended his hand, "Happy cooperation!"
"Happy cooperation!" Zhou Hexuan said, shaking hands with him.
