Chapter 52 1. The flag of the red cross with a black circle is fluttering

The flames of war approached Nanjing, the cannons roared, and blood flew everywhere.The atrocities committed by the Japanese army not only aroused the determination of the Chinese people to resist foreign aggression and defend the motherland to the death, but also aroused the kindness, justice and conscience of international friendly people. In November 1937, in the spacious living room of Jinling University, more than 20 foreign friends gathered together. They came to discuss important matters at the invitation of Hang Liwu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jinling University.Hang Liwu told them about the deeds of Father Shanghai Rao. During the Songhu War, out of the spirit of international humanitarianism, this venerable priest established the Yak Kunnott International Safety Zone to accommodate and protect a large number of Chinese refugees. Free from the ravages and charcoal of war.Therefore, he suggested whether it is possible to follow the model of Shanghai and set up a similar safety zone in Nanjing to protect the civilian refugees who stayed and had no time to evacuate.

Hang Liwu's initiative was endorsed by many international friends. Americans, British, Danes, and Germans came together, and professors, doctors, businessmen, and pastors stepped forward one after another. They declined the advice of their own governments to retreat and voluntarily stayed in Nanjing , Braving great difficulties and dangers, fighting to save the civilians in the disaster of war. Facing the ferocious iron hooves of Japanese fascism, the Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee was born bravely.Rabe, the manager of the Nanjing branch of the Chinese head office of Siemens AG, was publicly elected as the chairman of the Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee because of his integrity, German nationality, and his special status as a member of the Nazi Party, which facilitated dealings with the Japanese army.Johann Rabe was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1882 and came to China in 1908. As an employee of Siemens, he did business in Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing and other places. a close friendship.He is also a devout Christian and has deep sympathy for the suffering Chinese people.Dr. Smith, an American professor at Jinling University, served as the secretary, Hang Liwu was publicly elected as the director-general, and American Fei Qu was the deputy director-general.Soon Hang Liwu was ordered to escort the antiquities of Chaotian Palace in Nanjing to the west, and his post was succeeded by Dr. Beders, a professor of history at Jinling University.

After the establishment of the International Committee, it first demarcated the safety zone area, starting from Hanzhong Road in the south, reaching Zhongshan Road in the east, reaching Xikang Road in the west, and Shanxi Road and the area to the north in the north.The safety zone is centered on the location of the American embassy and missionary schools such as Jinling University, covering an area of ​​about 3.86 square kilometers.It consists of the Ministry of Communications Building, Wutaishan Primary School, Hankou Road Primary School, Army University, Xiaotaoyuan Nanjing Language School, Military Chemical Factory, High School Affiliated to Jinling University, Bible Teacher Training School, Overseas Chinese Guest House, Nanjing Shinto College, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, and Jinling University Sericulture Department, Jinling University Library, German Club, Jinling Women's College of Arts and Sciences, Law School, Rural Teacher Training School, Shanxi Road Primary School, Jinling University Dormitory and more than 20 refugee shelters.A distinctive Nanjing Safety Zone badge hangs outside the head office, with a bright red cross in a black circle, symbolizing the solemn and heavy safety zone that protects the noble and sacred international humanitarian spirit of mankind.

At the same time, in view of the large number of soldiers and civilians injured in the war in Nanjing who urgently needed shelter and treatment, some international friends conceived to establish the Nanjing Committee of the International Red Cross. Reverend Foster served as secretary.The International Committee of the Nanjing Safety Zone is composed of 15 people, and the Nanjing Committee of the International Red Cross is composed of 17 people.After the fall of Nanjing, these international friends fought against the Japanese fascist beasts with bare hands and protected a large number of Chinese civilians from the slaughter of beast soldiers, writing a touching chapter of international humanitarianism.

Immediately after the establishment of the International Committee, a letter was sent to China and Japan with a map of the safe zone, requesting that both sides recognize and protect it, and that no armed personnel or military facilities should be stationed in the safe zone.The request of the Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee was quickly approved by the Chinese side. General Tang Shengzhi, the commander of the garrison, ordered the dismantling of military facilities in the safety zone. 450 policemen in the district, 30,000 dan of rice, 10,000 dan of flour and 80,000 yuan in money.Soon, the Safe Zone International Committee received a reply letter from Father Shanghai Rao, telling him that the matter of entrusting him to contact the Japanese military headquarters had achieved results. If there are no Chinese troops or military agencies in the safety zone, the Japanese army will not intentionally attack."

Rabe's heart that had been hanging all day was finally let go.