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(1951) Last One Out

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During 1950 missionary activity carried on much as before though with some restrictions, especially in regards to the mission schools. In January 1951 this all changed. The communist government ordered all churches and other institutions to discharge their foreign missionaries, and the Chinese church was no longer allowed to receive any funds from abroad.

On January 10 Oscar and the American Pearl Johnson (and others?) were forced to stop their work at the Theological Seminary in Tsingtao. Since the Chinese church was no longer allowed to receive any money from abroad Pearl and Oscar also did not dare receive any money from abroad out of fear that the communist officials would arrest them for breaking the law [unclear to me if the law only order the Chinese church not to receive any funds or if the law explicitly also applied to the foreign missionaries. LJH].

In January the German August Boerter, a businessman, was arrested and put jail.1 This was just a precursor of what was to come.

Oscar did not pay any rent on the church or chapel [unclear if this was because the rent would be going to the Chinese church or what. It may have been that the authorities were demanding that rent be paid directly to them, put I'm just guessing]. Since it was not allowed to preach to outsiders, i.e. non-church members, the chapel was given up first. Pastor Shu then approached the communist authorities asking for a reduction of the rent for the church. Their response was to increase the rent. The main building therefore had to be given up with Pastor Shu hoping he could keep a smaller building for living quarters.

Oscar borrowed US $350 from Dale Björk, Board of World Missions, Baptist General Conference (formerly, Swedish Baptist Church of America. for expenses. Of this amount $200 was handed over to Pastor Shu in January for land and house tax, repairs and caretaker for the two houses. In order to do so Oscar had to get permission from Mr. Liu at the Foreign Affairs Bureau. As it turned out not all the money was needed because the houses were rented out and the caretakers discharged. The other $150 was used to pay the caretakers for three months plus severance pay for them for another three months, house and land taxes and photostats of property documents.2

On January 30 Oscar was was obliged to leave the house in Tsingtao that he had rented from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Halling since 1949 'because of taxation problems posed by the communist authorities.' It is likely that the authorities raised the taxes on the property so high or created other tax problems to force Oscar out because the house was then occupied by some Russian advisors and later still by members of the communist police force. They remained in the house at least up until Oscar's departure from China, and conceivably for years.3

Since it was impossible to serve the church any longer on the order of the communist authorities Oscar and other missionaries thought it time to request permission to leave China. The presence of a missionary was no longer an asset to the church; in fact it was a liability. Oscar applied for a permit to leave giving as his reason simply that he could no longer practice missionary activity in the churches or mission institutions in China.

It may have been at this time that Oscar went to the family home on the coast in Iltis Huk, not far from Tsingtao.

Confiscation of Property

Since the beginning of 1951 no foreigner could return to his home country without appointing some responsible person or organization to whatever private or mission property for which he or she was responsible.4 And, the foreign missionaries were not allowed to sell their land [I don't know if this law was from the beginning of 1951, or earlier or later] Even if they were allowed to do so they would have to sell it at great loss in any case, and they would not be allowed to take the money out of the country [don't know if this law of not taking money out of the country was in effect at the beginning of 1951 -probably so]. Appointing someone to manage the property was required despite the fact the the communist government had already taken over most of it. What seems clear is that the communists wanted to give some air of civility, propriety and law despite the fact that they were simply taking what they wanted.

On February 8 Oscar after first consulting with a Mr. Grauers the First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy regarding his own idea [don't know if this was the embassy in Peking or in Shanghai] Oscar signed a Power of Attorney5 which gave management of churches, schools, orphanage and residences of the Swedish Baptist Mission in Kiaohsien, Kaomi, Chucheng, Yihchao to the local Chinese church. The Swedish Baptist Mission retained ownership. 6 It was likely that the property would be taken by the communists, but if it were to be put into the hands of the local church, perhaps they would be able to carry on Christian work.

The document also said, no doubt directed toward the communist officials, that "It is hoped that the accredited Churches and their responsible representatives will within human, economic and other possibilities continue to use this real estate property for evangelistic, educational and philanthropic activities." The document was signed in the presence of Eva Hedquist and Gerty Kallgren. Copies were sent to the churches mentioned above and a copy of the Chinese version deposited in the Royal Swedish Embassy in Peking and the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the People's Government in Tsingtao.7

This attempt to keep control of mission property in the hands of the local Chinese church did not succeed. The communist government was to issue new regulations which said the government was to decide what the Chinese church needed and what they will be allowed to use. And, added to this was the government's decision that property of former missionary schools, hospitals and other philanthropic institutions would be taken over by the state or the local community.8

There was still the question of the Rinell family's personal property. Oscar wanted to retain control and ownership of the property if at all possible. On February 10th Oscar gave power of attorney to Mr. Homiakoff of No. 4 Third Tai Ping Church Road property belonging to his mother9 and to his brother, Egron10 so that Mr. Homiakoff could act as Oscar's legal attorney and manage the properties in Oscar's absence.

Oscar was in charge of some missionary property in Iltis Huk until the 10th of February.10.1 At an earlier date [don't know if this was before 1951 however in which case this edict about property had not been as yet issued] a communist official, Mr. Liu at the Foreign Affairs Bureau asked Oscar why Dale Björk turned the property over him and not the Chinese pastor Shu.11 So, considering this requirement and the fact that the communist officials had already been concerned about mission property Oscar handed over the deeds, power of attorney, legal documents and responsibility to Pastor Shu. Anyway, there was no choice. All missionaries were leaving. The only thing to do was to hand over responsibility of mission property to local Chinese Christians.

About this time the property on 12 Fourth Tai Ping Church Road was rented out to O. Hanson [Perry Oliver Hanson?} [later in the chapter this was rented out to 2 other people - why the discrepancy? Perhaps there were two piece of property on this street? Check the addresses in the letters] and later the property on Second Chanshan Road to a Chinese family with the rent paid directly to Pastor Shu.

Confiscation of Personal Possessions

Besides confiscating land the communists started to take motor vehicles. Oscar was in charge of Sten Lindbergs motorcycle. One day the authorities took it. They also took some of documents [the people he was writing to] for examination. Sten was not the only one to suffer loss. Oscar got a terrible scolding in the presence of Pearl Johnson from one communist official for not having power of attorney for Charles' car. When it did arrive, the officials claimed that the ownership was not clear because it was in Charles' name and in the name of the Southern Baptists. The communists would use any ruse to confiscate vehicles. Oscar also had to turn in Charles Cowherd's car. Mr. Chang had to turn in Frank Halling's car to the authorities. The authorities were interested in getting as many vehicles as possible for their own use. It was not a great loss, at the time, however. Private cars and mission cars could not get any gasoline after January so personal vehicles became useless. Others also lost property. The communist authorities tried to make things seem very proper. Oscar received a receipt from the Foreign Affairs Bureau, but did not dare take it with him out of China.

Oscar was able to box up some items and ship them via Hong Kong among them being some books and photographic equipment.

The communists often 'borrowed' mission buildings and land. In 1951 at least 95% of the Swedish Baptist Mission property had been 'borrowed' by the communist government, without any financial reimbursement.

Arrest of Foreigners & Chinese Christians

The missionaries still attended church service, but stopped doing so in April.

One night at the end of April twenty people, mostly businessmen of various nationalities, were arrested. Oscar recorded in a letter to friends12 the name of those who were arrested although he wasn't always sure of the spellings. They were Lichetsky (former chairman of the Russian Society [this was probably the Lenchitsky that Olga mentions in a letter - see further in this chapter]), Lustig, Zimmerman, Guessky, Wolchock, an American named Klein, Chang who was the Chinese treasurer of the British Consulate of Halling's office, Ho who had an American wife), Father Gross who was an American, and Homiakoff who was most probably the person who Oscar gave the Power of Attorney to manage his father's and brother's property in February. Oscar was able to befriend his wife later. Arrests customarily would occur between 2:00 and 4:00 in the morning. No one would know why particular individuals were arrested, and no one would know what happened to these people. At Iltis Huk Oscar had a small brown leather suitcase measuring about 8 inches by 12 inches, packed with his Chinese Bible, a couple of pairs of underwear and possibly some handkerchiefs in case the communist authorities came in the early morning hours to arrest and send him to prison. According to his daughter Dollan, Oscar was under house arrest for seven months.12.1

People were filled with fear. Chinese and foreigners did not dare to associate. Even foreigners sometimes did not dare to associate with one another. Oscar did not write letters to friends and family for fear of the censors.13 This was especially true of family including his daughter, his two sisters and brother in the United States. Having connections with the 'American imperialists' was a crime in China. His daughter, Dollan, now living in the United States had received no word from Oscar. She and her husband were almost sure he was dead.

Rev. Ku Jen-en, a well-known revival preacher, was asked by Chinese Christian leaders to hold a revival [Not sure when this was chronologically. LJH]. Bravely, he agreed. The meetings drew large crowds of people. Everyone seemed to be speaking about the meetings. This was too much for the communist authorities to bear. Soon the police arrested Rev. Ku Jen-en and other Chinese Christian leaders among them being the Protestants Stephen Wang a Christian Fellowship leader in the University, and Hwang An-wei a Presbyterian preacher who was in jail and let out after only two months. He had been put in jail for something his father was accused of doing.

Things went from bad to worse during 1951.

To Oscar the tactics of the communists were obvious. Daring to write to friends in the United States in November of 1951 he outlined the government's modus operandi.14 The communist government, he wrote, under the cloak of nationalism tries to weld the Christian church into a revolutionary instrument. They tried to do this by separating it from all foreign influence, especially 'American imperialism' and making it totally obedient to the communist government. They tried to discredit and disgrace foreign missionary leadership and try to make the Chinese Christians and the non-Christians believe that all missionary activity was a cloak for foreign government agents to further their imperialistic aims. The church itself must expose, root out and turn over for punishment all imperialists, i.e. foreigners, and the 'reactionary running dogs' i.e., Chinese who associated with them.15

The communist hold on the churches was tightened. All churches had to register with the government [not sure when this was chronologically in 1951]. No religious meetings at all were allowed where 'land reform' was being carried out. This was the case for Kiaohsien, Kaomi [sp?], and Chucheng since the previous spring. 16 Li Bai-gi (sp?) the ex-bandit and later Baptist preacher was now [probably appointed by the communists] representative of religion in government as Chairman of the Protestant Church Union, Chairman of the National? China Baptist Mission and Principle of the Baptist Seminary. Pastor of [?????????] Roni Baptist Church is the leader of accusations in churches. He was hated and feared by almost everybody. [see original document here - in the margin -difficult to read photocopy]1

Accusation Meetings

The communist government started accusation meetings with church unions and individual churches though none were being held specifically in the Swedish Baptist Mission field. The accusations against the unions and churches were written up in the daily newspapers. Terror and fear filled both Chinese and foreigners. If chinese Christian leaders did not accuse foreign missionaries they were charged with being reactionary and could be punished with imprisonment or death.

In Tsingtao the accusation meetings started in June and continued for more than two months with accusations published in the daily newspaper.18 An American Presbyterian lady missionary, Irene Forsythe, was severely accused, harangued in public meetings in the news for eight weeks, and finally accused of being a "chief American spy." The accuser was Hwang An-wei, the young Presbyterian Chinese preacher who had been put in jail previous for something his father had been accused of doing. He was let out of jail in order to accuse the foreign missionary, and this he had to thoroughly do. If he did not do so he would have been back in jail with the real possibility of never coming out alive. After the two months of tension and uncertainty, Irene was awakened by Chinese communists at 3:30 in the morning and given two hours to get ready for deportation. [Guide to the Irene Forsythe Hanson Papers or http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv30790]. Having been threatened early with deportation to Siberia, she had prepared a bag with warm clothes and a lighter bag with essentials in case she was imprisoned. These fears were not realized though she was deported leaving by way of Manila, Port Said, and Genoa, Italy.

Another missionary, Pearl Johnson from the Methodist church, was also accused though not so severely as was 'Pop Hanson, [Perry Oliver Hanson?] another Methodist

Oscar's name appeared twice in the daily newspaper under 'the accused imperialists' although no specific accusation was mentioned. He heard that his crime was having American connections though this accusation he did not take too seriously. He and the others expected to be arrested any day, probably between 2:00 and 4:00 AM as was customary, but nothing happened.

Pastor Shu was told to accuse Sten Lindberg and Oscar, but refused to do so. At this time it is not known what happened to Shu as a result.

The same accusation meetings occurred in other cities in China. Missionaries both still living in China and those who had already left were accused together with some Chinese Christian leaders. Oscar wrote, "these accusation meetings are a sad chapter in the history of the churches."19

The churches in the larger cities for the time being were carrying out Christian work. Religious work of the churches in the countryside and smaller towns and villages had long ago ceased. Former missionary schools and hospitals were taken over by the Communists. Cut off from much of their influence in society, required to be subservient to the communist government, and with too many Chinese Christian leaders toeing the government line without reservation, the Chinese church in China appeared to be destined to isolation and inactivity. Since the accusation meetings started attendance in the churches had dropped to at least third. Some of this was no doubt due to persecution, but some Oscar thought was possibly also a protest by the Chinese Christians against 'this unchristian and terroristic way of life."20

This was the end of an era of Christian missions in China. The aim of many missionaries, to have a self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating church in China was to be carried out under the 'self-reform movement' of the communists if carried out at all. The communists declared that the church was to be separate from all other institutions including former missionary schools, hospitals and other philanthropic activities.

Oscar, however, was still optimistic. Though he saw Christianity passing through its most critical period in China he also believed that though the church could not carry on as an organization the heart could still be sound. "We pray and hope," he wrote," that this only is the darkness before the dawn of its greatest future [in China]."21

More Arrests

On August 10, Oscar canceled the Power of Attorney that he had given Mr. Homiakoff in February to manage his father's and brother's properties because he was probably still in prison [later Oscar helped secure money from the States for Mr. Homiakoff's wife]. The next day he appointed a Mr. G. M. Pezzini of No. 22 Pu Shan Branch Road to manage his brother's property at No. 18 Fourth Tai Ping Church Road, and his mother's house at No. 3, First Kuan Hai Road. The documents were witnessed by Eva Hedqvist and Gerty Kalgren.

A list of the contents were drawn up at this time. In his mother Hedvig's house Oscar lists some official papers -- title to the property, building contract with house plans, occupation permit, Johan Alfred's will to Hedvig regarding the property, and two Chinese chops for validating documents, but also on the top floor where a Mr. Tien was apparently now residing, a bathtub, dish basin, wash basin and toilet. On the ground floor where a Mr. Sun lived were 2 wardrobes, 2 chairs, a tea table, a flower stand, one table with drawers, a toilet and a washbasin. Apparently indoor toilets were not so common, so they were still considered personal possessions to be taken with you when you moved. In the basement were two desks, two iron beds, five chairs, another tea table and a cupboard. All Hedvig's smaller personal possessions had probably been sold or shipped back to Sweden.

On August 31 Oscar also drew up a list of the contents of his own home at 12, Fourth Tai Ping Church Road. Besides official documents regarding the property were two armchairs, a sofa, two dining tables, two small tables, eleven chairs, one iron bed, two spring mattresses, one mattress, two stoves, one bathtub, two rugs, two green deck chairs [were these the original chairs used on the ship from Swede?] two desks, two screens, three bookshelves, two flower stands, five tea tables, two wardrobes, two cabinets for dishes, one ladder, one table lamp and a number of volumes of the publication Chinese Recorder.

A truck and wharf laborers were hired to pick up seven cases of Oscar's personal effects at his house on Chan Shan Road and to deliver these to the docks. (Kallgren, Hedquist, and Hellen were all given documents about this shipment. The cost was JMP 347,800, whatever that is . . . ). These were to be shipped on August 25. Another 20 cases were picked up from Egron's place on Tai Ping Church Road [The McMullan Co document says 'Tai Ping Kuch' road but this is probably a typo on the part of McMullan]. A truck and wharf laborers were hired; iron nails were purchased for re nailing of the cases (possibly after inspection on the wharf); a rickshaw was hired so that a moving permit could be submitted.

Twenty cases of Oscar's [and Egron's] personal effects with a total value of US $3,000 were shipped on September 28 by the coastal vessel named S.S. Shun Lee. Of these eleven cases were books valued at $2000. Also included was one typewriter and a rug. Oscar wrote a letter to Charles Reinbrecht asking him to insure the shipment in Hong Kong, possibly for the the Hong Kong to Sweden leg of the journey and giving his travel dates. He sent a copy of the letter to Hellen in Sweden with a personal note [have Mom translated note].

[The above shipment of goods is confusing. It appears that seven cases were picked up at one address and seven cases from another address. The first was in August and the second in September. However, in a letter to Reinbrecht in Hong Kong dated September 1, Oscar mentions insuring 20 cases. There may have been two shipments of goods on the Shun Lee to Hong Kong and the letter to Reinbrecht refers only to the second shipment. This will need to be investigated further].

At the end of August 20 Catholic missionaries were arrested and later five more. Bishop Pinger was among them. In less than half a year over forty foreign businessmen and Catholic missionaries were put in jail.

Oscar Leaves China

For months Oscar could not get out of China though he very much wanted to. The Chinese communists would not allow him to go. This continued for seven months from the time he applied for a permit to leave. The Swedish Embassy in China were also trying to get him out. They sent telegrams to Oscar several times which might have made some impression on the Communists, and on two occasions sent notes to the communist's Foreign Affairs Bureau [I'm assuming it was this bureau. In a letter Oscar mentions 'Foreign Office'.]22

Suddenly the officials changed their minds. Why this was Oscar did not know at the time. But he did find out later. The Chinese communists wanted to increase the number of staff in their embassy in Sweden by two. Sweden refused. Puzzled, Peking asked why. They were told that their missionary had to be allowed to leave China. The Chinese Communists and the Swedes struck a gentleman's agreement with the communists promising to let Oscar go within two months. During this time Oscar's name appeared on three [or two] separate occasions in the newspaper asking if anyone had anything against the missionary Oscar Rinell. It was not uncommon for such notices to appear in the paper regarding individuals. Many people were denounced. No one however responded with any accusations.23

Oscar's daughter, Dollan now married and in the United States, and her husband Bernard were sure that Oscar must be dead. No word has been heard from him for months. One day, however, a telegram arrived stating 'COMING HOME LOVE OSCAR'.13.1

In the mean time more arrests were being made. Just before Oscar's departure Dr. Hübotter (sp?) and another German were arrested.

Oscar's final week was exceptional. A friend on the police force fetched him three times in the police car for a friendly visit complete with refreshments.

He was also invited to dinner by a Chinese acquaintance. Rather than having dinner at her home, they had it in a kindergarten where she actually had to prepare the dinner. Though an acquaintance of the family this was certainly not her idea to hold a farewell dinner for Oscar. Any interaction with foreigners would have been dangerous. The Communists, no doubt, knew about her association with the missionaries already and asked her to hold the dinner.24

When the day finally arrived to leave, Oscar had to walk from Iltis Huk to Tsingtao. He was able to withdraw only 100 American dollars out of the bank to use in his travels, and was forbidden to use the money in China. The serial numbers of the bills were written down to catch him if he did. He did not spend any of the money. Oscar was allowed to take a train to Tiensin to make steamship connections. Taking the train to Tiensin was an exception allowed by the local authorities. Normally, foreigners were only allowed to leave Tsingtao by ship though there were very few passenger steamers even calling on Tsingtao. The Swedish Embassy booked Oscar on a ship, the British steamer SS Hunan, sailing from Tiensen to Hong Kong and the authorities allowed Oscar's train journey to that city.25

He left Tsingtao on the evening of September 1. The train went by way of Kiaoshen his home town and where the Communists had not allowed him to return. The train even stopped at Kiaohsien's train station. Not missing his chance, Oscar got off the train for a few minutes so that he could feel his hometown under his feet one last time. "Just to touch Kiaohsien again," he said.

In Tiensen Oscar went to visit the Danish company chief at the chief's request. The chief could not get any news from Shantung, so invited Oscar for dinner to hear the latest. This is when Oscar heard, from a Swedish official at the Swedish embassy in Tiensin, of the "gentleman's agreement" allowing him to leave China and allowing two diplomats into the Chinese embassy in Sweden.26

Hong Kong

Oscar left Tientsin on September 8 on the SS Hunan heading direct for Hong Kong, a British 'protectorate'.27 He arrived in Hong Kong on September 17.28 Apparently Charles met Oscar at the docks as Oscar had requested in a letter. Oscar stayed in Hong Kong for ten days for a bit of rest after a very nervous and jittery time following months under the Communists. He apparently stayed with Mr. G. Nystrom of 33 Granville Road, Kowloon.29

Oscar had a very pleasant time visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Culpepper. Despite the fact that Oscar and Mrs. Johnson had to discontinue work at the Theological Seminary in Tsingtao on January 10, Dr. Culpepper generously paid Oscar and Mrs. Johnson's salary through the end of September.

A telegram was sent. [Don't know why this is important. Perhaps this is the telegram sent by Oscar to Dollan and Bud.]

The Reinbrecht invited him to dinner. Reinbrecht said, "Let's sit here." Oscar said, "No, let's sit here instead!" [Don't know the significance of this exchange yet. Oscar wasn't clear. Len.]

Oscar also saw Dr. Wallin.

When the mission found out that Oscar was permitted to leave China, they wired money to a couple of Covenant missionaries in Hong Kong and asked them to arrange his flight back to Sweden.

His journey was to take him from Hong Kong to Stockholm by way of Bangkok and Lydda, Israel. On September 28 Oscar, playing it safe, took out flight insurance through Thorsesen and Company, and agent of the United Scottish Insurance Company. Considering what he had already been through, he was not taking any chances. The insurance cost him 7.79 Hong Kong dollars and insured him to 1500 British pounds. The insurance paid out the full amount in case of death or of loss of two limbs or two eyes or one limb and one eye. If he lost one limb or one eye it paid out half of the 1500 pounds. Oscar's flight went without incident, and he lost nothing.

He boarded the B.O.A.C. flight bound for Bangkok on September 30.30

Bangkok

The plane arrived in Bangkok in five hours and Oscar checked in at the Presbyterian Mission. In Bangkok he spent an evening in the home of the Presbyterians Dr. and Mrs. Welles, formerly from Tsingtao, who had invited over some missionaries 'old China-hands'31. Of course the topic of conversation was the situation in China. Dr. Welles drove Oscar around Bangkok for a bit of sightseeing [This might have been before the evening with the Wells]. At the hotel he wrote a letter to Irene Forsythe who was passing through Manila. She never received it and Oscar suspected that the hotel clerk who he gave the money to mail the letter, pocketed it and never sent it.32 The next morning after his evening with Dr. and Mrs. Welles, Oscar boarded SAS (Scandinavian Air System) flight number 68 for Lydda, Israel. [I'm assuming here that this was the SAS flight number mentioned in the insurance papers though it may have been the flight from Israel if he took SAS.] It was a wonder to Oscar, and he frequently mentioned it in letters to friends, how one can leave Hong Kong in the morning and the next day be in Stockholm. This was not actually Oscar's itinerary because he stopped off in Israel first, but the idea of traversing that much of the globe in such a short time was rather amazing. All his other trips [apparently] were by steamer which took some weeks. Oscar was now 'airminded' as he put it.33

Israel

Oscar arrived in the morning at Lydda, Israel. [If Lydda is also 'Lod' then it is down on the plains and so Oscar would have had to find transportation to take him up into the hill country where Jerusalem sits]. [Look at original here. Last line of letter not photocopies well.] Oscar stayed at the YMCA in Jerusalem for three days, which was under the management of the Putnams, three days at the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum (Oscar crossed the lake several times), Jordan and Tiberius where he stayed with Mr. and Mrs. K. O. Syväntös , Nazereth where he stayed with Mr. and Mrs D. L. Baker of the Southern Baptist Mission who Oscar notes were doing a 'wonderful work', and the last day a trip to Haifa, Tel Aviv and Lydda. Oscar saw the land, visited the holy places, and took many color pictures.34 Visiting the holy places was wonderful Oscar writes though he was not able to cross to the Arab side. Since the foundation of Israel in 1947(?) Palestine had been divided in two, Jewish and Arab. Many of the Jewish and Christian holy places were on the other side of the border.

Israel was fairly expensive. One Israel pound was worth US $2.80 though this was artificially high. Outside of Israel the pound was worth on US $0.90. Oscar managed to make it through his stay in Israel on only 120 pounds for the week because friends in Tiberius preferred reimbursement in food parcels from Sweden. He also mentions in a letter that he did a little "black market business which saved [me] a good deal!!"35 His black market dealing may well have been changing his money using unofficial 'money changers' rather than using the banks who exchanged money had the official, artificial rates.

Oscar left Israel from Lydda Airport the morning of October 8.

At Home in Sweden

Tired after a day's flight from Palestine in the eastern Mediterranean to Sweden in northwest Europe he arrived in Stockholm on October 8 at 11:00 PM where he was greeted by Hellen and Egron, friends, mission board members, reporters and photographers.36

The next day Oscar was interviewed by the Swedish radio. During the interview he was very careful with what he said, weighing his words carefully, so as not to get people left in China in trouble and also not to compromise the Swedish government who wanted to do commerce with China. In fact Oscar wrote down the questions himself and his answers, and handed them over to the radio interviewer.

The Swedish Baptist mission board was having their conference at the time in Stockholm. The mission board stopped their meeting to hear what Oscar had to say. The interview was short, but Oscar was paid a standard fee for the interview, more than he had ever received for such a short speech. The interview was taped for later broadcast. Oscar also gave a full uncensored report at the conference. More interviews followed in Stockholm, Göteborg and Sala.

Oscar joined Egron, Gerda, his mother, Hedvig, and Hellen in Salle.37 Hedvig was looking fine and planning a trip to America. Hellen too was doing much better since he saw her last. She had put on 17 Kilos since leaving China.

Hellen was of course very interested in asking Oscar a lot of questions about what was happening in China. Hellen was asking questions when Egron inexplicably interrupted and suggesting they listen to the news, "Wait a minute let's hear the news first. Perhaps afterwards you can hear about other things from Oscar." Egron turned on the radio. Hellen was still trying to ask Oscar questions. Egron tuned into the news and to Hellen's utter surprise, Oscar voice came from the radio though he was sitting right there with her. Her eyes just about popped out of her head. The radio station was playing their taped interview with Oscar.

Oscar was also welcomed in Stockholm by Bethel Seminary where he had graduated so many years before [give exact year here] and the church in Stockholm and the church in Göteborg.

In Göteborg Oscar and Hellen's son, Roy, and Hellen's sisters met Oscar. Hellen had rented an apartment in the city38 Hellen and had readied it for Oscar's arrival with Chinese furniture and some of his precious books on the shelves.

And Oscar had now seen his son Roy again after so long a time. Roy was now half a head taller (1.94m) than Oscar though Oscar was not short himself.39

Resting in Sweden

Later Oscar and Hellen were resting for two weeks in Leksand, one of the most beautiful spots in Sweden. "I have almost been in Sweden a month. Autumn here with multi-colors in forest and landscape is like a dream. So is freedom and our happy reunion."40 Besides resting and time with Hellen Oscar attended meetings, wrote reports, provide uncensored information to mission societies on request of those remaining in China as to what the real situation was, especially around Tsingtao, wrote a few articles for publication and was able to catch up on his correspondence41,.

Oscar wrote to Dr. Rankin and Dr. Cauther [sp?] in Richmond Virginia, 'Pop' [possibly Hanson - where I don't know], Dr. Marshall Wells in Bangkok, Thailand, Mrs. Steinberg in San Francisco, Irene Forsythe who was passing through Genoa, Italy, his two sisters, brother,and daughter at various places in the USA, and others.

To his family in the United States he wrote, "As 'American imperialism' and connections are considered the greatest crime in Red China and knowing that the Communist censorship is a reality my correspondence with the States [while in China] had to stop entirely. Now that I again experience the thrill of freedom I would like to show a sign of life."42

On November 3 Oscar wrote a letter to the Royal Swedish Foreign Office in Stockholm discussing mission property in China. He had been asked [by his mission probably] to state what had been done on behalf of the Swedish Baptist Mission's property in China. Oscar told how he had turned over the management of the property to the Chinese church and that he had deposited a complete list of the title deeds and all the legal documents at the Swedish embassy in Shanghai.

Oscar did not believe that the People's Government would compensate the mission societies because the government considers the missionary movement to be in the service of imperialism and capitalism. In regards to what should be done with the missionary property at the present Oscar thought that an outright gift of missionary property to Chinese christian churches is a realistic policy 'even if it may only be a beautiful gesture.' But whatever policy the Swedish Boards of Foreign Missions or the Royal Swedish Embassy takes 'I wish to strongly emphasize that nothing be done which in any way increases the present difficulties of the Christian Churches [sic] in China on account of its foreign relationship.'43

Oscar was safely out of China and enjoying his freedom. Others were left behind. On November 7, Oscar wrote a letter to a Mrs. Steinberg in San Francisco giving news of her husband and also forwarding on a request from Olga Homiakof.

Mr. Steinberg had sold their house in China and together with a Mr. Albinsky rented Oscar's place for one year [or did this belong to the mission?] at 12 Fourth Tai Ping Church Road [earlier in this chapter this property was rented to someone else I believe -this needs to be checked out]. Apparently all was well with Mr. Steinberg at the present.

Among the number of people arrested at the end of April in Tsingtao was a businessman by the name of Mr. Homiakof. Mrs. Homiakof, was left to fend for herself and was in need of money. Before Oscar left China Mrs. Homiakof asked Oscar to write to Mrs. Steinberg asking her to help forward money to her from her relative Olga. Money could not be safely transferred into China, so Mrs. Homiakof and Mr. Steinberg worked out a plan. Olga would give money to Mrs. Steinberg in San Francisco. Mrs. Steinberg would write her husband in China, providing a coded message as to how much Olga had given to Mrs. Steinberg. Mr. Steinberg would then give the same amount from his own funds in China to Mrs. Homiakof. Oscar writes to Mrs. Steinberg, "When you write to [your husband] and say, 'I saw Olga once,' that means she has paid you US $10.- and Mr. Steinberg will pay Mrs. Homiakof that amount. If you say you have seen her five times, that means you have received $50 . . . " [the letter has at least one more page that is missing from the photocopied letters - try to find missing page among the originals].44

[Oscar received word sometime - possibly after he got back to Sweden - that his boxes left Hong Kong on October 19. He was eager to see what customs allowed through, and thought that probably some of this books about China would have been taken].45

Oscar and Hellen also received a letter from Pearl's sister and letter from Olga [unless I am confused this is not the Olga mentioned above who was a friend or relative of Mrs. Homiakof] at 29, Chieh Fang Nan Lou Road in Tientsin. Pearl had finally gotten a permit to leave China. Since had arranged her own passage which meant she did not suffer deportation. She left on October 28 [possibly she left China on the SS Cleveland, but this may have been on another leg of her journey - see letter dated Dec. 10].

The Seuferts had their exit permits already, but to secure passage on the only boat sailing between Tsingtao and Hong Kong Dr. Siefurt had to send five cables to Hong Kong. Finally the answer arrived from Hong Kong, but without a signature so the telegram was considered invalid and the ship left for Hong Kong without the Sieferts. Riederswere was still in China. The Eckfords were out as were the Swedish girls Eva Hedquist and Gerty Kallgren. 'Pop' Hanson' [Perry Oliver Hanson?], Clara Sullivan, and Paul Mackansen [these were probably the Lutherans that Oscar mentioned in on of the letters] were still left.46

Olga writes there will be another repatration of Germans who desire to return to Germany. Olga and her mother had registered as had nineteen Germans on the 'green island'. Most were to be sent in batches on the Italian ships of the Lloyd Triestino [Line?] which were sailing once a month from Hong Kong to Venice or Trieste. Gerty Kallgren's mother, Mrs B., who was still alone had also registered. Mrs. Walle was given to permission to leave with her daughter. Bowermans were still waiting for the exit permits. Both of the Bowermans lost their jobs and the end of September. Mr. and Mrs. Linkes decided to stay in China, though Mrs. Linke and Kate [their daughter?] really wanted to leave. Mr. Lenchitsky was released again from prison as was the American Mr. Klein who had been arrested the same day as about twenty [other?] businessmen. Mr. Klein though died after just a few days of what we do not know. Reverend Briggs left the beginning of November. Though still working in the morning Olga had lost her afternoon job. Though expatriates were leaving in droves it was a lovely autumn in China.47

Irene Forsythe was on her way to Sweden after being her deportation from China and travels through Europe. Her ship the S/S Tamerlane was not expected to dock in Göteborg, but was expected in nearby Copenhagen, Denmark on December 13. Oscar suggested that Irene have her baggage transshipped in Rotterdam or Antwerp, wherever her steamer calls, and sent straight to Southhampton, England. The weather at present was not good in Sweden. Oscar was hoping for snow so that Irene could see some winter sports when she visited. Oscar also asked Irene to pick up some film for him that he could not purchase in Sweden."Please buy 4 or 6 Kodak Super-XX filmpacks. Each has a cartoon containing twelve 4X5 in[ch] . . . Supper-XX film exposures."48

Oscar wrote to Frank Halling regarding Frank's property and other business matters in China. Oscar had been living in Mr. and Mrs. Hallings home in Tsingtao since their departure in 1949. As noted above, he was forced to leave the house because of some tax problems with the communist authorities. The house was subsequently occupied by Russian advisors followed by members of the communist police force. Frank's car as is noted above had to be turned over to the authorities. [Check out something about photo equipment - the photocopy is not legible on this point]. Oscar did pay the house tax for some months. He did not remember the amount he paid for October, November, and December and had no record of it because he was afraid to take the accounts out of China. The tax was paid in January and came to about $15.00. Oscar gave Mr. Tang US $50 as severance pay - the same rate Oscar paid his cook. Just before leaving China Oscar gave Tang an additional $25 because he told Oscar he had not been paid for some time. Besides Tang "has a big family and he is a nice chap," Oscar writes. The grand total for these expenses came to $90 and Oscar asked Frank that this amount be sent as a check to his daughter who was now in Colorado49 where her husband was attending seminary.50

Gerda had to have an operation but was recovering nicely. Egron flew out of Stockholm on the morning of Wednesday [confirm this was Wed] November 28 as the mission's first missionary to Japan. He arrived in Tokyo on Friday.

Later Oscar wrote, "With a broken heart I can confirm the end of our missionary epoch [in China]."51

What of the Swedish missionaries work in China? Wang Hwa-ting in regards to this quoted a Chinese proverb, "When drinking water, think of its source." He was saying that the Chinese believers would never forget the debt of thankfulness they had for the Swedes who brought the gospel to them in China.

Oscar was asked to write an article for the publication U.V. [?] for their first 1952 issue which he responded on November 11 saying he will do so. He was also invited to speak at the Libanon Young People's Association on December 2 at 12:30.

On November 15 Oscar sent a letter to a Dr. Lord of the Baptist Times in London asking the whereabouts of an acquaintance and asking if the article he enclosed with the letter would be of interest to them for their publication. The article was about the missionary situations in China but written only in general terms. "I have not gone into too much detail as it would be easy for the Communists to check up and create difficulty for individuals or churches out there."52 On the same day he also sent a letter to Martin Erikson in Chicago, Illinois as to whether he would like to publish the article in The Standard or whether he thought it too radical. Oscar again mentioned that he did not want to include too many details, but he was having second thoughts as to what he would make public. "It was quite a problem to know what one should tell the reporters and also [say] over the Radio. I am becoming more convinced that it is about time the truth was told about the Reds in China."53

Hedvig at 84 was planning a visit to the States. "Not bad at 84," Oscar writes.54

The publication Sverge-Nytt , an airmail newspaper for Swedes in foreign countries was to publish in December a long interview with Oscar. [check this out.]

Oscar and Hellen were planning on being in Stockholm December 11-15.

Irene Forsythe joined the for Christmas [wherever that was they celebrated it] and afterward left for the USA.

And Oscar and Hellen waited for their boxes from China, many or most of which were Oscar's precious books.

A Visit from the Jansson Family

On 4 June 1951 Egron, Gerda, Margie and Lally Rinell at their apartment in Sala, Sweden, had a visit from their cousins the Janssons.

Jansson and Rinell Families in Sala, Sweden: 24 June 1951

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Footnotes

  1. Buerter was mentioned in a letter from Oscar to friends, Nov. 10, 1951, p3. This may be August Buerter as suggested in an email on November 8, 2010 from Vicky Morley, granddaughter of August Buerter. Vikey writes: "I think Boerter was my grandfather August Boerter who was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities at that time. I don’t know exactly when he was released. He had been out in china since about 1902. My mother had by then left for Hong Kong. Eventually August Boerter returned to Germany and lived in Langenberg with his wife ( my grandmother )."

Dr. Wilhelm Matzat adds (email 14 October 2013) "August Boerter's carpet factory in Tsingtao changed its address in the 1930ies several times, the information in the address books is not always clear. In the year 1939 Boerter's carpet factory was in 72 Feihsien Road, he lived in 11 Chi-Hsia Road. In the early 1930ies the factory seems to have been in Kuangsi Road."

  1. Since this money was borrowed from the American Baptists Oscar later asked that the $350 be sent to Dr. Culpepper at 167-169 Boundry Street, Box 1625, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

  2. Letter to Frank Halling from Oscar Rinell, November 9, 1951.

  3. See The Royal Swedish Foreign Office, Stockholm, November 3, 1951.

  4. A copy of this Power of Attorney is attached to a letter from Oscar to the Royal Swedish Foreign Office, dated Nov. 3, 1951.

  5. Some foreign missions simply signed over ownership of property to the local Chinese Christian church.

  6. A complete list of all the title deeds and all the legal documents property of the Swedish Baptist mission were at the time or eventually deposited at the Swedish Embassy in Shanghai. See the document The Royal Swedish Baptist Foreign Office, Stockholm, November 3, 1951.

  7. The Royal Swedish Baptist Foreign Office, Stockholm, November 3, 1951.

  8. This was at Lot No. 2, First Kuan Hai Road and House No. 3, First Kuan Hai Road.

  9. At Lot No. 2, Fourth Tai Ping Church Road, House No. 12, Fourth Tai Ping Church Road.

10.1 According to Dollan Brown, Oscar Rinell had agreed to be in charge of two other missions besides the Swedish Baptist Mission. Email from Dollan Brown to Lennart Holmquist, September 6, 2007

  1. For the several paragraphs above this footnote see letter to 'Dear Friends' from Sweden, November 7, 1951.

  2. Letter from Oscar to friends, Nov. 10, 1951, p3.

12.1 According to Dollan Brown of the many friends of Oscar's who disappeared, some were sent to prison and some were shot. (I don't know if it was specifically at this time or not LJH.) Email from Dollan Brown to Lennart Holmquist, September , 2007.

  1. Len, verify that he didn't write and letters after you've gone thru them all.

13.1 Email from Dollan Brown to Lennart Holmquist, September 3, 2007.

  1. Double check on this. In another letter Oscar wrote that he could not write any letters to the states for fear of censorship. Perhaps he wrote this one without a return address and to non-relatives where it would be difficult to link him to the letter he sent.

  2. Letter to Dr. M. Rankin, Richmond, Virginia, November 6, 1951. Written from Sweden.

  3. Letter to Dollan, Margaret, Edith and Eric from Oscar, November 8, 1951.

  4. Letter from Oscar to friends November 10, 1951, p2 in margin.

  5. Letter to Walfrid Danielson, Dale Björk, and Sten Lindberg from Göteborg (also gives street address), November 7, 1951.

  6. Letter to Dr. M. Rankin, Richmond, Virginia, November 6, 1951, page 3. Written from Sweden.

  7. Letter to Dr. M. Rankin, Richmond, Virginia, November 6, 1951, page 3. Written from Sweden.

  8. Letter to Dr. M. Rankin, Richmond, Virginia, November 6, 1951, page 3. Written from Sweden.

  9. Letter to Dollan, Margaret, Edith and Eric from Oscar, November 8, 1951.

  10. Do not know if the notices in the paper was actually during this time or during the time he was denied permission to leave.

  11. Also, one of her family members may have been a Nationalist. She would need to agree to do this to show her loyalty to the new regime. Note: this dinner may be included in the 3 times that Oscar was invited for refreshments.

  12. Letter George Hein and others from Oscar, November 10, 1951.

  13. Miss Pearl Johnson, the last Southern Baptist Missionary in China, was still there when Oscar left, and apparently still in China when Oscar wrote a letter mentioning her. See letter to 'Dear Friends' on November 6, 1951, p4. Oscar writes, "Being the last Swedish missionary in the whole of China to leave I wish she too will soon enjoy freedom and a happy reunion in the land of the free." Oscar wrote a letter

  14. Letter from Oscar to Charles Reinbrecht, September 1, 1951. In another citation however, Oscar states that he left Tientsin on September 13, see document entitled Svar på Lally's frågor.

  15. In another letter Oscar said he left September 13th. The photocopy is a little dificult to read so see ordinal. Possibly he arrived in Hong Kong on the 17th?

  16. This was the permanent address she gave on his flight insurance before he left Hong Kong.

  17. Oscar mentions in a document entitled Svar på Lally's frågor that Gunnar Berggren was the last missionary to leave Kaomi. Oscar did not know when he left Kaomi though he does know that Gunnar made a short visit to Tsingtao to pack his things. He left China before Oscar. Oscar has always been known as the Last One Out, but more specifically he was the last Swedish missionary to leave China from the Swedish Baptist Mission.

  18. Letter to Dr. Marshall Welles and others in Bangkok, Thailand dated November 6, 1951, he thanked them for their hospitality and the 'great pleasure to make the acquaintance of so many old China-hands in your home. I also enjoyed the sightings in Bangkok."

  19. Double check the name, it might be Welles. SEe letter to George Hein dated November 1951.

  20. Letter from Oscar to Pearl, Dec 12, 1951.

  21. Though he didn't take as many as he wish he had. Later he wrote a letter to Lester Putnam asking him to take 'two or three rolls of what would be of interest to see.' [Letter from Oscar to Lester Putnam, November 28, 1951.

  22. Oscar's black market business was probably in exchanging US $ for Israeli pounds through unofficial money changers. Though technically illegal, the Israel government probably turned a blind eye to such exchanges. The author studied in Israel between 1972-73 over 21 years after Oscar was in Israel, and also exchanged money through unofficial and illegal money changers who did a thriving business inside the Jaffa gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. These money changers did not hide their activities from the authorities, but hung their business signs out in clear view of the passerbys. (Len, scan money changer photo).

  23. Oscar mentions in a few places how he left Hong Kong on October 7th and got in Sweden in October 8. But this does not make sense if he stopped in Israel for 10 days. Perhaps he traveled to Israel immediately after returning to Sweden, but this is unlikely.

  24. Spelling?

  25. This was undoubtedly at Lundgrensgatan 16, Göteborg from where Oscar wrote many letters.

  26. Oscar mentions in this letter a lady named Francis who should be in the Suez, but Oscar had not heard any news from her since she boarded the steamer.

  27. Letter to 'Pop', from Sweden, November 6, 1951, page1.

  28. Oscar wrote another letter from to Irene Forsythe and addressed it to Port Said. I haven't come across it yet in my research. LJH. 4/8/95. He also wrote another letter to Irene 11/8/51 and addressed it to Genoa, Italy. Irene was hoping to make it to Israel, but Oscar was uncertain whether her steamers could make it through.

  29. Letter to Dollan, Margaret, Edith and Erik from Sweden, November 8, 1951.

  30. See document entitled The Royal Swedish Foreign Office, Stockholm, November 3, 1951, page4.

  31. Letter to Mrs. Steinberg in San Francisco, CA, from Oscar Rinell in Sweden, November 7, 1951.

  32. Letter to Frank R. Halling, November 9, 1951.

  33. Letter from Oscar to Irene from Leksand, Sweden, November 8, 1951, and a letter to Frank Halling, November 9, 1951.

  34. Letter from Olga to Oscar and Hellen Rinell from Tientsin, November 16, 1951.

  35. Letter from Oscar to Irene Forsythe, November 27, 1951.

  36. Address: 1950 South Corona, Denver, Colorado.

  37. Letter to Frank Halling from Oscar Rinell, November 9, 1951.

  38. "The Swedish Baptist Mission in Shantung" by Oscar Rinell. See binder Rinell Documents.

  39. Letter from Oscar to Dr. Lord in London, November 15, 1951.

  40. Letter from Oscar to Martin Erikson, November 15, 1951.

  41. Hedvig did make it to the United States. A photo was taken of her and the author when he was about 1 year of age. (See letter from Oscar to Martin Erikson, November 15, 1951.)

CHAPTER

Foreign Devils: A Swedish Family in China 1894 to 1951
© 2012-14 Lennart Holmquist
Lorum • Ipsum• Dolor • Sic Amet • Consectetur

Updated: 10-Feb-2017

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