CREATIVE ARTS IN WAR-TIME

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

CREATIVE ARTS IN WAR-TIME

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WITH each fresh day wc open our papers to see what new atrocity, what fresh bombing horror has tortured Spain or China. It seems as though history is there being written in blood and in a rain of explosions • which are destruction wrought to the degree of callousness perhaps never surpassed, at least in what is so strangely called civilised warfare. The demolition of towns and public works, as well as of private dwellings, which cost so much in money, labour and denial, to say nothing of the long years heeded for construction, the letting loose of flood waters from the great rivers of the Chinese plains, prone enough to destructiveness at any time without the aid of man, the endless long trails of refugees with their few most treasured possessions burdening them in their flight, all these we can visualise: and with them the courage and endurance we never doubted the Chinaman to possess, now become * dogged obstinacy, bolstered in some mysterious way by supplies of modern arms it seemed unlikely he could obtain in quantities t.O serve his purpose and to make costly and slow the advance of the aggressor, these two wo do not fail to see. To do this, though, there is another side, and one feels a sense of pleasure in hearing of if. and in learning that all this mischief and horror has not only left uncrushed, unconquered, the pride and determination of a great and intelligent people, but has even acted as a stimulus to much that had been inclined to remain quiescent during happier days. Amid all the stress and difficulty, the destruction and cruelty, we hear that a great literary and artistic stimulus has been awakened. and that admirable results of great promise and of noble and sacrificing effort are already most pronounced From (he P.E.N. Club of China has just been issued at Shanghai a small pamphlet ol 18 pages large octavo, entitled '‘Creative Arts in War-time." It opens thus; “Contrary to the usual sterility that overtakes the creative arts in wartime, China is experiencing a veritable renaissance since the present invasion by the Japanese began. There are two main reasons for this; tin; revolutionary nature of the present struggle, and the circumstances that scores of artists, writers, musicians, dramatists, actors

and others have been released from the routine drudgery of commercial enterprise.’’ Throughout this article the tone is enthusiastic, assured, surprised a little perhaps, but greatly hopeful. No .better idea—and it is a thing well worthy of appreciation— of the new and stirring movements can be given than by a few extracts from the little notice. Thus concerning stage productions it states: “Vividly reflecting changing forces and conflicts., the Chinese drama has rapidly swung from the ancient classics to themes of social justice and national defence. Realistic plays dealing with the lives of workers and peasants, of volunteers in Manchuria.

The "Bookman's " Review

or depicting the activities of Japanese and Korean smugglers in North China, were the forerunner.; of the propaganda pieces frankly occupied with the current Sino-Japanose hostilities. . . . “One of the most interesting of those war-time dramatic propaganda companies has recently headed for the South Seas, where thousands of Chinese, from millionaire merchants to humble coolies, have rallied to the support of the fatherland. 'The 27-year-old leader of tills unique group. Hsu Chuan, is a prominent Singapore lumber merchant who has learnt to speak fluent Malay in his sixteen years’ sojourn in the South Seas. The entire cost of this long tour will bo met by this patriotic overseas Chinese. . . . “Ke organised the new acting and publicity corps in December, and his actor friends, artists, literary men and teachers eagerly joined him. Hsu was thus able to utilise all of their special qualities for this publicity work, which is divided into war dramas, speeches and wall poster propaganda." Outlines of several plays are given. Not only are a host or quite new ones being written, but those already old and valued are being modified to serve for propaganda against the invaders. Even the children are enthusiastic in their help.

“A troupe of 24 child performers, including four girls, which recently completed a round-the-country tour, has become the talk of the three central cities of Hankow, Wuchang and Hanyang as one of the most picturesque Chinese war-aid dramatic groups ever assembled. “These roving actors would have been playing about their schoolgrounds or streets in or near Shanghai had it not been for the Japanese aggressors, for all of them arc still in their teens, the youngest only nine years old. “After the outbreak of hostilities in the Shanghai, area, many cf these youngsters were in the refugee camps, some of them together with their par-

ents. for both their schools and homes wore gone. . . . ‘‘Following the withdrawal of the Chinese forces ' from the Shanghai front, they loft on British steamers in five groups, the first group on November 18 and the fifth and last cn November ,?.2, "They travelled to Hankow in a round-about way on steamers, small refugee boats and by train. Once the two boats on which they wore travelling wore commandeered for military transportation, and they had to walk more than 20 miles, carrying their belongings and costumes. Another time they were stopped by Chinese soldiers because heavy fighting was going on not far away. The long journey from Shanghai to Hankow took them more than a month and a half.’’ Naturally, the motion picture has been brought into use, and a great deal of production in this form is going on. “The rank and hie of China's movie performers have fought many wars on the screen—-were against the warlords, corrupt officials and evil gentry, against heavy taxation and other evils of (he old regime. Bui never before have they appeared in any picture that might have been interpreted as a screen war against Japan. Any picture portraying the patriotism of Chinese as being stimulated by the aggressive acts of a neighbouring, country would have been drastically cut or

banned entirely by the Movie Censorship Board of the Municipal Council in Shanghai, which has Japanese members. "Under the banner of the. Motion Picture Bureau of the National Military Council, the Chinese movie actors and actresses from Shanghai may, for the first time, taste the forbidden fruit to thei'r hearts' content. In the pictures now being produced by the bureau, not only will they shout antiJapanese slogans but also fight and kill the Nipponese aggressors in realistic engagements.” Song and music arc also pressed into the service. This “March of the Volunteers” is one among many now very popular pieces to be heard on all sides. Doubtless ft suffers by being rendered into another tongue, but its spirit can still bo caught. Arise! Ye who refuse to be slaves! Build your new Great Wall With your flesh and blood! The people of CHUNG HUA Have reached the crisis When each has been driven To shout the swelling refrain. Arise! Arise! Arise! Lot our millions unite as one. Bravo /he enemy's cannons and gun; Forward! Brave the enemy's cannons and gun. Forward! Forward! Forward! Finally, the cartoonist is doing splendid work, and one which quickly appeals to all eyes. “Many of the most promising younger artists, along with some of the older ones, have deliberately abandoned the more aesthetic mediums and thrown themselves into their country’s struggle as out-and-out propagandists. Joining the ranks of the cartoonists and illustrators. they have dedicated their talents to the task of strengthening China's all-front resistance to the imperialist invaders. “On vacant walls along the- streets of every city and town in China, on posts, trees, on banners and placards carried by countless war service groups, in newspapers, magazines and special publications, are to be seen the works of these patriotic artists. Some are highly satirical portrayals of the various aspects of the Far Eastern conflict; others are simple illustrations designed solely to stimulate national service and solidarity In a. land of widespread illiteracy the propaganda value of this type of creative offer! cannot be over-estimated.”