1924 - The Doctor's Shadow - Ma Kun he Zhongshan

Thu, 02/09/2023 - 13:05

A 28 June 1924 image of Generalissimo Sun and his Adjutant General Cohen at the first passing out parade of Russian-trained officer cadets from Canton’s Whampoa Military Academy.

Some six months later, Adjutant General M.A. Cohen had travelled from Canton to Hong Kong to board a ship bound for Vancouver, Canada. The Hong Kong press marked the occasion by announcing: 5 December 1924. Hong Kong. Among passengers departing today by the Empress of Australia for Vancouver include Gen. M.A. Cohen, A.D.C. to Dr Sun Yat-sen.

The above image titled The Doctor’s Shadow - 马坤和中山 is a 1995 reworking of the 1924 original courtesy Alan Flett.

Date picture taken
28 Jun 1924

Comments

Extracts from a Canadian immigration document.

Canadian Ocean Arrivals form (30A).

Passengers to Canada from Hong Kong:

VesselEmpress of Australia;

Class – First;

Present Occupation – A.D.C. to Chinese President Sun Yat Sen;

Birthplace – London;

Citizenship – Canadian;

Religion – Jewish;

Object in going to Canada – Returning home on visit;

Previous Canadian address – Macdonald Hotel, Edmonton;

Port of last departure from Canada – Vancouver, 19 Nov 1922;

Why did you leave Canada – to go to China;

Money in possession of passenger – Gold$250-00;

Destined to – Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver.

Extracts from the Vancouver press selected by Michael Alderton (essarem):

Dec 26, 1924. Vancouver. Sun Yat-sen’s Aide-de-camp In Vancouver. General Morris Abraham Cohen, former Edmonton loan broker, now an aide-de-camp in the revolutionary army of Sun Yat Sen, President of South China, arrived in Vancouver yesterday on the Empress of Australia. General Cohen some years ago became interested in the Chinese Nationalist League of Canada, an organization supporting the ideals of Sun Yat Sen, and he devoted most of his time to the cause of the League, finally going to Canton to join the personal staff of the great Chinese idealist, Dr Sun. He has been in China lending his business experience to the cause of the revolutionaries who seek to extend the rule of Sun Yat Sen over the whole of China. A Vancouver acquaintance reveals: “General Cohen is intimately known to me. He is British-born and speaks with a decided English accent. He is very shrewd and a good talker. He speaks Chinese fluently. Following his arrival in Vancouver, I met him and we visited Chinatown. As soon as the Chinese residents recognized who he was, they certainly showered him with attention, giving us a special dinner.

 

Extracts from the Edmonton press selected by Michael Alderton (essarem):

Jan 6, 1925. Edmonton. Morris Cohen, Former City Man, Now Leader In China, Visitor Here. One Time Real Estate Dealer in Edmonton Now Is Aide de Camp to President Sun Yat Sen of South China Republic. After more than two years in the storm centres of China, where he was a prominent figure in the Government of the Republic, Morris Abraham Cohen, now bearing the title of general and aide-de-camp to President Sun Yat-sen, arrived in the city this morning. General Cohen was called to the Orient a little over two years ago and won the position of aide-de-camp to the president as a result of the prominent part he had taken in the organization of the Chinese Nationalist League in Canada, and his own ability along military lines.

Feb 21, 1925. Edmonton. Jewish Knight-Errant Now Chinese General. Maurice Cohen, Young Edmonton Broker, Has Become Confidential Adviser to Dr Sun Yat Sen. It’s a long jump from ward boss of East Edmonton to the rank of general in the Chinese army. Yet that in bare outline is the story of Maurice Cohen, honourably discharged from a Canadian overseas battalion as sergeant in 1919 and now a general officer in the army of Dr Sun Yat Sen. The fact of the matter is that following his discharge from the Canadian army Cohen had become the guide, counsellor and friend of over 500   Chinese in the city of Edmonton. He directed their politics, settled their disputes, audited their accounts, helped them in police courts and interpreted their demands. Whenever there was a Chinese resident in trouble there was Mr Cohen. He even studied their language and could talk to them. Then one day he disappeared; the genial, sturdy Jewish ward boss was gone. Rumour had it that he had gone to China. At any rate, he had no debts and left only good friends behind him. A year later, local papers began to tell about a certain Edmonton man who had become confidential adviser to Dr Sun Yat Sen. These reports were confirmed by an Edmonton businessman on a trip to China. A few days ago General Maurice Cohen arrived in Edmonton. What his mission in Canada may be he does not divulge. Meanwhile a continuous succession waits at the door in the big hotel where he has gone into winter quarters. He looks like the real thing. Short, thick-set, with curly black hair, dogged mouth and chin, and a sharp, restless eye. His expression is genial but can harden into fighting lines in a flash. He speaks with authority and like a commander. He has little to say about himself.