(florman

by SANDRA LOCKWOOD

“What kind of spirit is this that
makes a foreigner selflessly adopt
the cause of the Chinese people’s lib-
eration as his own? It is the spirit of
Internationalism, the spirit of Com-
munism from which every Chinese
Communist must learn...”

Mao Tse-Tung (Mao Zedong)
“In Memory of Norman Bethune”
Yenan, Dec. 21, 1939.

The above is from an essay that
comprises one of four short essays in
Chairman Mao’s famous “Little Red
Book,” still required reading in China.
After Mao himself, the second most
honoured hero of the Chinese Revolu-
tion is a renegade Canadian doctor.
Norman Bethune’s life and work is
legendary not only in China, where he
worked ceaselessly at the front lines

IN SEARCH OF

VOL.4 NO

and a ‘poor man’s’ TB, with one major
difference: the rich man survived, able
to pay the demands of the wealthy
medical establishment; the poor man
died. First in Detroit, and then in
Montreal, Bethune established a “free
clinic” for the unemployed. His rela-
tionship with his English-born wife,
Francis, who was used to the finer
things in life, began to deteriorate rap-
idly as Bethune refused to collect from
his patients or accepted payment in
chickens or loaves of bread. In 1935,
Bethune visited the Soviet Union to
observe first-hand a medical system
that ensured the treatment of all re-
gardless of financial status.

In 1936, Bethune’s “Manifesto of
the Montreal Group for the Security of
People’s Health” was delivered to the
Premier of Quebec, hospitals, and re-
ligious authorities. This Manifesto gave
in detail the structure for a system of

On January 2, 1938, a steamer leaves Vancouver for China. In the bow stands a sturdy middleaged man
with sparkling eyes, waving farewell. He is Norman Bethune.

for Mao’s 8th Route Army, but also in
Spain, where he established the first
mobile hospital and blood transfusion
service to the battlefields of the Span-
ish Civil War. Bethune firmly be-
lieved that doctors must go to the
wounded, not wait for the wounded to
come to them.

But in Canada, Bethune is remem-
bered differently, or not remembered
at all. Somehow, he has eluded Cana-
dian history.In China, just a fragment

. of Mao’s essay “without thought of
self...” is enough to identify him. There,
his bravery and skill as a surgeon, his
dedication to the principles of Com-
munism, have been paid tribute in huge
memorials, postage stamps, countless
books and works of art. However, until
recently, in his own country, Bethune
has been considered an outcast. A
passionate, outspoken, audacious man,
he was known in his time as “‘a meteor
passing.” He frequently shocked the
cautious Canadian medical establish-
ment with his often unconventional
medical practices. Although highly
recognized as a pioneer who made
ground-breaking discoveries in tuber-
cular medicine, and as an inventor of
surgical instruments, some still manu-
factured today, Bethune was consid-
ered unorthodox; he tookrisks. More-
over, his severe criticism of the capital-
istic, bourgeois medical practices of

the day ostracized him from all his
colleagues.

It was during the Depression years,
rampant with tuberculosis and appall-
ing healthconditions, that Bethune first
felt his socialist urges. He came to
realize that there was a ‘richman’s’ TB

socialized medicine. It was met with
extreme hostility, asa Communistplot.

Bethune became angry and frus-
trated working within a system he felt
was all wrong, and he longed for a
cause to put his words into action. A
few months after his “Manifesto,”
Bethune set sail for Spain. In the grips
of civil war, Bethune believed: “Itis in
Spain that the real issues of our time are

ILLUSTRATIONS TAKEN FROM “BETHUNE: HISTORY IN

PICTURES”, WHICH IS BASED ON A CHINESE BOOK

ENTITLED “Dr.BETHUNE" PRINTED BY SHANGHAI PEOPLE'S
PUBLISHING HOUSE, 1975 ==

“A long life to Chairman Mao,” the crowd cheers.

In May of 1937, Bethune embarked
on a Canada/United States speaking
tour to raise money for the “Servicio
Canadense de Transfusion de Sangre.”
Bethune was urged by the Committee
to Aid Spanich Democracy notto men-
tion his political beliefs, lest they scare
away any potential donors. However,
six months into his speaking tour, he
told a large audience,” I have the hon-
our to be called a Communist.... They
call me a Red because [have saved 500
lives.” Bethune raised thousands of
dollars to allow his transfusion service
to continue, but he was not to re-lead it.

A bomb detonating Sept. 12, 1931
on arailway near Mukden, Manchuria
was the catalyst for what was to be-
come Bethune’s next cause. Within
hours of it’s explosion, the Japanese
seized control of the city. Within afew
months, all of Manchuria was under
Japanese control. From here, renamed
Manchukuo under a puppet emperor,
the Japanese planned their strategy for
the concuest of China.

Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the na-
tionalist Kuomintang was too obsessed
with annihilating his internal enemies
to worry about the Japanese. So fierce
were Chiang’s campaigns against
Mao’s Communists, that he was suc-
cessful in forcing 100,000 men,

women,and children, Mao’s “peasant”

He is so excited he can’t sleep
or eat. First he visits the
Anti-Japanese Military Uni-
versity, then a hospital. There
is not enough equipment, but

going to be fought out. It is there that
democracy will either die or survive.”
Heestablished amobile system of blood
transfusion directly to the wounded
that was so successful it could deliver
needed blood within a 150 mile radius
of Madrid within three hours.

the clinic is free to everyone.
“In Yenan | see a New China,”
Bethune tells his translator,
Tung.

army, to retreat 6,000 miles North
through some of the bleakest terrain in
China. This epic journey is known as
“The Long March.”

Mao’s retreat ended in the deso-
late, mountain-side village of Yenan.
Here, hiding in caves dug out of the

towering loess cliff walls, the Commu-
nists regrouped to organize a guerilla-
type strategy. They avoided direct con-
frontation with superior enemy forces,
concentrating instead, on rupturing
transportation and communication
lines, striking in small groups and es-
caping into the mountains.

heavy artillery fire. Frequently, Be-
thune used his own blood for a transfu-

sion when no donors could be found.
He fed his patients his own food and
gave them his clothes. “Attack! Be-
thune is with us!” became an Eighth
Route Army battle cry.

_ Althoughheagedrapidly, hisheath
deteriorating, Bethune wrote to a friend
in Canada that never had he been so
happy. “I amcontent. I am doing what
I want to do.”

With practically no foreign aid and
medical supplies almost depleted,
Bethune was forced to work in very
primitive surgical conditions. Operat-
ing on a wounded soldier, without the
protection of rubber gloves, Bethune
cut his finger. Within days his arm
swelled up with septicemia (blood poi-
soning). His body too frail to fight the
infection, Bethune died November 12,
1939. China mourned a hero.

In 1973, the Trudeau government
declared Norman Bethune to be a
Canadian of “great historical signifi-
cance,” and in 1976, the federal gov-
emment acquired his birthplace in
Gravenhurst, Ontario, and officially
opened it as a Canadian memorial.

The doctors try everything,
but nothing helps. Bethune
shakes his head and tells
them, “Don’t worry about me

The last 20 months of Norman
Bethune’’s life would be spent on the
front lines, serving the Communist
army. As soon as Bethune arrived in
Yenan, he was summoned by Mao and
asked to supervise the Eighth Route
Ammy border hospital. Within amonth,
Bethune decided to go directly to the
front to treat the wounded immedi-
ately. In a region encompassing 13
million people, Bethune was the only
skilled surgeon.In 12 months, he trav-
elled over 3,000 miles, 400 on foot,
with his portable operating theatre
carried by two mules. He operated at a
prodigious rate; once 113 cases in 69
hours without stopping even under

any more. | trust you my
comrades, but my blood is
now poisonous with septi-
cemia. It is hopeless.”

Although few Canadians know it ex-
ists, this house is a favourite pilgrim-
age site for visiting Chinese.

Last year, a feature film entitled
“Bethune: The Making of a Hero,”
was shot, and.may have its premiere at
this year’s Cannes Festival. Starring
Donald Sutherland in the title role,
Sutherland lost 45 lbs: and accepted a
third of his usual salary to play the role
of a man he has long admired. This
film, aco-production between Canada,
China, and France, was beset with
production and financial difficulties,
and gruelling filming conditions.Let’s
hope that this film will do justice to a
man who was in every respect, a true
hero.

On the morning of November
13th, 1939, the great Cana-
dian, Norman Bethune died,
sacrificing his life for the
Chinese people and for the

liberation of all the people of
the world. This great inter-
nationalist will live on in the
hearts of millions of the
world’s people.
by SANDRA LOCKWOOD

“What kind of spirits this that
makes a foreigner selflesly adopt
‘the cause of the Chinese people's ib
eration as his own? Itisthe sprit of
Internationals, the sprit of Com-
‘munism from which every Chinese
‘Communist must learn...”

Mao Tse-Tung (Mao Zedong)
“In Memory of Norman Bethune”
Yenan, Dec. 21, 1939.

‘The above is from an essay that
‘comprises one of four short essays in
‘Chairman Mao's famous “Lite Red
Book," stil required reading in China.
‘After Mao himself, the second most
honoured hero of the Chinese Revol
tion is a renegade Canadian doctor.
Norman Bethune's life and work is
legendary nt only in China, where he
‘worked ceaselessly atthe frontlines

IN SEARCH OF

Bethune

‘RLUSTRATONS TAKEN FROM "BETHUNE: HISTORY

anda ‘poorman's'TB, withone major
difference: therichman survived, able
to pay the demands of the wealthy
‘medical establishment; the poor man
died. First in Detoit, and then in
Montreal, Bethune established a "ree
clini” for the unemployed. His ela-
tionship with his English-born wife,
Francis, who was used to the finer
‘things in life, began to deteriorate ap-
idly as Bethune refused to collect from
his patents or accepted payment in
chickens or loves of bread. In 1935,
Bethune visited the Soviet Union 10
observe firsthand @ medical system
‘that ensured the treatment of all re-
sgardless of financial sats.

‘In 1936, Bethune's “Manifest of,
the Montreal Group fr the Securiy of
People’s Health" was delivered tothe
Premier of Quebec, hospitals, andre
ligiousauthortes. This Manifesto gave
in detail the structure fora system of

for Mao's 8th Route Amy, butalsoin

Spin, where he established the frst
‘mobile hospital and blood transfusion
service tothe batlefiels of the Span-
‘sh Civil War, Bethune firmly be-
lieved that doctors must go 10 the
wounded, not wait forthe wounded to
‘come to them.

‘Butin Canada, Bethune isremem-
bered differently, or not remembered
atall. Somehow, he has eluded Cana
dian history In China, jut fragment

of Mao's essay “without thought of
self.."isenoughtoidentifyhim. There,
hs bravery and skill a a surgeon, his
dedication to the principles of Com-
‘nism, have been pad ibutcinhuge
memorials, postage stamps, countless
books andworks of ar. However, until
recently in his own country, Bethune
thas been considered an outcast. A
passionate, outspoken, audaciousman,
the was known in his ime as“ameteor
passing.” He frequently shocked the
‘utious Canadian medial estalish-
ment with his often unconventional
medical practices. Although highly
recognized as a pioncer who made
{ground-breaking discoveries in tuber.
cular medicine and as an inventor of
surgical instruments, some sil manu
factured today, Bethune was consid-
ceredunorthodox; he tookrisks. More
‘over his severe criticismof he capital
istic, bourgeois medical practices of
the day ostracized him from all his
colleagues.

Twas during the Depressionyews,
rampant with tuberculosis and appa
inghealthconditons, thatBethune rst
felt his socialist urges. He came to

retha there wasa‘richman’s'TB.

socialized medicine. It was met with
‘extremehosiity, sa Communistplot.

Bethune became angry and frus-
trated working within a system he felt
was all wrong, and he longed for a
cause to put his word into action. A
few months after his “Manifest,”
Bethune set sail for Spain. Inthe grips
‘ofcivilwar, Bethune believed: “isin
‘Spsinthattherealissuesofourtimeare

ENITLED “Oc BETHUNE PANTEO BY SHANGHAI PEOPLES
Puousiena House 178

InMay of 1937, Bethune embarked
‘on a Canada/United States speaking
tour to raise money for the “Servicio
(Canadensede Transfusion de Sngre.”
Bethune was urged by the Commitee
to Aid Spanich Democracy nottomen-
tionhis political beliefs, estthey sare
away any potential donors. However,
six months into his speaking tour, he
told large audience, Ihave the hon-
curto beealled s Communist... They
callmeaRedbecauseThave saved 500
lives.” Bethune raised thousands of
dollars to allow his transfusion service
‘ocontinue, buthe was nottore-leadt

‘Abomb detonating Sep. 12,1931
‘onarailway near Maken, Manchuria
was the eatlyst for what was to be-
come Bethune’s next cause. Within
hows of i's explosion, the Japanese
seizedcontolofthe city. Withinafew
month, all of Manchuria was under
Japanese contol. Fromere, renamed
Manchukuo under a puppet emperor,
the Japanese planned theirstrategy for
the conguest of China

(Chiang Kai-Shekleader of thema-
sionalist Kuomintang was tooobsessed
‘wih annihilating his internal enemies
to worry aboutthe Japanese. So fierce
were Chiang’s campaigns against
Mao's Communists, that he was sve-

Hels soexcited necan't sloop the clinic Is treo to everyone,

First he visits the

"in Yenan eee a New China,”

Rotilapanese ‘Miltary Unk- Gethune tolls his translator,

‘ort
Is not enough equipment, But

going o be fought out. Its there that
democracy wll either die or survive
Hecsublishedamobilesystemof blood
transfusion directly to the wounded
that was so successful it could deliver
needed blood within a 150 mile radius
‘of Madrid within three hous.

sna hospital There Tung.

army, to rexreat 6,000 miles North
through some ofthe bleakest trainin
‘China. This epic joumey is known as
“The Long March.”

‘Mao's retreat ended in the deso-
late, mountainside village of Yenan
Here, hiding in caves dg out ofthe

towering loss cliff wall, the Commu
nists regrouped o organize a guerilla

‘ypestrategy. They avoided drectcon

frontation with superior enemy foes,
concentrating instead, on rupturing
transportation and communication
lines, striking in small groups andes:

caping into the mountains.

hheavy aller fire. Frequently, Be-
thune used his own Blood for atranst-
sion when no donors could be found.
He fed his patients his own food and
{gave them his clothes. “Attack! Be-
thune is with ust became an Eighth
Route Army battle ery.

‘Althoughheagedrapidly, hisheath
‘eterioatng, Bethune wrotetoafriend
in Canada that never had he been 50
happy. “Tameontent. lamdoing what
want to do.”

‘Withpractically no foreign sid and
medical supplies almost depleted,
Bethune was forced to work in very
primitive surgical conditions. Opera
fing ona wounded soldier, without the
protection of rubber gloves, Bethune
cut his finger. Within days his arm
swelled up with septicemia (blood poi
soning). His body too frail to fight the
infection, Bethune died November 12,
1939. China mourned a hero.

In 1973, the Trudeau government
declared Norman Bethune to be a
(Canadian of “great historical signif
cence,” and in 1976, the federal gov
cemment aequited his birthplace in
Gravenhurst, Ontario, and officially
‘opened it as Canadian memorial

“The doctors ty everything,
frothing helps. Bethune
Shakes. hie ead and tells
them, "Dont wory about me
‘The last 20 months of Norman
Bethune"s life would be spent on the
front lines, serving the Communist
amy. As Soon as Bethune arived in
‘Yenan, he was summoned by Mao and
asked to supervise the Eighth Route
Army borderhospital. Within amont,
Bethune decided to go directly othe
front to teat the wounded immedi
ately. Ina region encompassing 13
lion people, Bethune was the only
skilled surgeon In 12 months, he av
clled over 3,000 miles, 400 on foot,
‘with his portable operating theatre
‘carried by womules. He operated ata
prodigious rat; once 113 cases in 69
hours without stopping even under

on the moming of Novimber
13th, 1999, the. great Cana
Gian, Norman Bethune dies,
Sacriticing his ie. forthe
Ghinese people and for the

‘any more. | trust you my
comrades, but my blood is
how poisonous with sept:
emia’ Its hopeless.”

Although few Canadians know it ex-
ists, this house isa favourite pilgrim:
age site for visting Chinese.

st feature film ented
‘The Making of a Hero,"
was shot and may have its premiere at
this year's Cannes Festival. Staring
Donald Sutherland in the tile role,
Sutherland lost 4S Ibe and accepted &
third fhe usual salary toplay therole
cof aman he has long admired. This
film, aco-productionbetweenCanada,
China, and France, was beset with
production and financial difficulties,
and gruelling filming conditions Let's
hope that his film will do justice to a
‘man who was in every respect, a tue
hero,

Aipertion of al the people of
the world, This. great inter
fationalst wil ve on in the
heart of ‘milions of” the
‘wort's people