New Asia dictates the future of the world

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NEW ASIA
DICTATES THE FUTURE-OF THE WORLD

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INTERPRETED BY
UPTON CLOSE



NEW NATIONS ARISE FROM TOKYO TO CAIRO — WHAT DOES ASIA'S RENAISSANCE MEAN TO AMERICANS?

TIME MAGAZINE, quoting Upton Close's biography of Gandhi in his book Eminent Asians, called him probably the greatest, and certainly the most sympathetic, historian of contemporary Asia. In the summer of 1930 the London Times devoted several articles to Josef Washington Hall—Upton Close—the American formulator of opinion on affairs Asiatic.

Upton Close has never made an effort to publicize himself.  He is more interested in travelling yearly to Asia to refresh his observations than in sensational methods for cashing in on his findings.  Always he is a step ahead of his public.  By the time his interpretation has been fulfilled, as for fifteen years it invariably has, and his public have caught up, he is astonishing Americans with a graphic picture of the next step in the world's political, racial and social evolution.  He is a public figure, and his books are translated, in Japan, China, Russia, India and Europe.  His findings are not so startling to these peoples, who understand a little better what is happening to the world, as to the public of our own America.

Now and then Upton Close, as in his description Where the Mountains Walked in the National Geographic Magazine, or his book and syndicate articles entitled Revolt of Asia, has set America talking about him.  But he takes more pleasure in bringing to his immediate hearers an enlarged horizon and an understanding of the place they occupy in world development, than in attracting headlines. Committees are more and more realizing the esteem in which this young seer is held.  His 1930-31 appearances, whether in New York or on the prairies, drew houses which delighted, but sometimes discomfited, those in charge.  His name is included wherever American public speaking at its best and most fearless is known.  His subject must increase in the American consciousness like the strength of the mounting sun—Fate has so set our nation that there is no escape from it.

No one presents this situation with its dangers and glorious possibilities, or points out its next development, so thrillingly, lucidly and authoritatively as Upton Close.

UPTON CLOSE'S life is as romantic as his subject.  His mother was a French lady, a musician and artist, reared in the court of the Bernadottes; his father a Yankee pioneer of the American northwest.  He was educated by the Siwash Indians, the San Francisco earthquake, a college in Washington, D. C., and 'poor-white' feudists in the South, and went to China as a missionary journalist.  He was sent from the Yangtze River to Mongolia to make collections; lived with the Chinese; perforce learned their language.  The World War came and he was asked to conduct intelligence work in invaded Shantung province for the United States government, in the course of which he received his nom de guerre Upton Close, evolved by fellow newspapermen from the words up close which he used as a code signature.  A Japanese general sent him out hunting for himself with an offer of 3,000 yen reward.  He was a participant in the Student Revolution of 1919 which ma
rked the beginning of Nationalist China, was Secretary of Foreign Affairs to China's patriotic Dictator, Wu Pei-Fu, went through several Chinese wars, returned broken in body and purse to become a member of the faculty of the University of Washington at Seattle.  Here he founded the first American university courses on contemporary Pacific Asian civilization.

In 1926 he returned to Asia, to encounter extraordinary experiences in Siam, Malay, India and Russia.  Accompanied now by his musician wife, he encircles the globe once a year.  He commands the annual Cultural Expedition to Pacific Asia, a select group of representative Americans young and old who visit Japan, China, Korea and Russia under special sponsorship to meet Asia's great statesmen, scholars and artists.

Upton Close's friendships range from Chinese bandits to the sainted Gandhi; he is claimed by recognized poets of America as one of their number; he is a frequently seen and loved figure among musicians.  He speaks to audiences of professionals and amateurs on Oriental drama; has written a much-produced one-act play after a Chinese theme.  Perhaps the persons who have got the most of him are those who have enticed him from discussion of world crises into a narrative of his own experiences or into his beautiful explanations and readings, in translation, of Chinese poetry.



UPTON CLOSE
Shows where the White World and America stand in relation to this greatest development since the Renaissance of Europe; and lends a guiding hand for the future in these vital, essential lectures


AMERICAN, YOU NEED TO HEAR THESE LECTURES:


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GANDHI, INDIA AND THE WHITE RULER
Earth's Most Picturesque Thinker Leads Her Second Most Populous People to Nationhood, and What It Means to us.

On Upton Close's last visit to Mahatma Gandhi he told that personality that he had written his life.(*)  With a laugh, Gandhi said: I will trust my 'life' to your hands.

No writer on Gandhi has so truly evaluated his personality and place in the world as this young American who went out of China to visit him, and predicted his re-rise when the British rulers and the world were saying: Gandhi's finished!  Upton Close's story in the New York Times magazine of Gandhi's conversation with Alice Close and himself was one of the most reprinted articles of last year.

In this lecture Upton Close gives an interpretation of the latest development in the situation between India and Great Britain.

* Eminent Asians, Section Five.



THE WIT AND BEAUTY OF CHINESE POETRY
Hard-boiled members of the Men's Round Table of the National Arts Club, New York; students of Mark Van Doren's class in poetry at the Brooklyn Institute; Joseph Auslander's group at Columbia University; the over-sized Drama League at the Hotel Raleigh, Chicago; have been carried for an evening into a world of harmony and ecstasy by this elucidation of one of the world's greatest bodies of poetry and the men who sang it, and the readings in Upton Close's splendid, varied voice of exquisite stanzas of beauty and philosophy ranging from B.C. 2300 to modern Shanghai.  —I didn't realize the Orientals are like that! —I didn't know there is such beauty in the world!  are unfailing aftercomments.


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BEHIND THE NEWS FROM ASIA
Upton Close's Up-to-the-Minute News Talk
When Upton Close returns from Asia (via Russia) in November he will be asked to interpret the latest press despatches.  This is a Current Events lecture, and Upton Close, from his great knowledge of backgrounds and his intimate acquaintance with men making news in India, Russia, Japan or China, can make the despatches make sense, and build about them a story as fascinating as it is important.



THE MAKERS OF THE NEW EAST—SIX GREAT LIVES
This is the story of Asia's rise told in personalities.  Here is romance.  Napoleon, Caesar and Alexander were not the only empire builders.  In our own time, strong men in Asia have been hewing out careers that are as arresting as theirs.

In this intensely human lecture Upton Close tells the stories of Sun Yat-sen of China, Yamagata and Ito of Japan, Joseph Stalin of Russia, Mustapha Kemal of Turkey, Gandhi of India.  This lecture fairly sings with life and drama.  It is the Revolt of Asia as expressed in the lives of the men who led it.


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ASIA REBORN (Illustrated)
A Popular Lecture with slides and Moving Pictures
An up-to-the-minute Upton Close-interpreted pictorial story of Asia's change from the mandarin to the Columbia graduate, the wheelbarrow to the air-plane, the zenana to women's votes—with full inclusion of such nationalistic reversions as the Gandhi cap and the revival of Buddhism.  Natural color slides of Siam—containing the world's gaudiest architecture.



THE PACIFIC ERA ARRIVES
How Asia Affects Us Now
This was a comfortable world when we were beginning our careers.  The white man's superiority was unquestioned, Christianity was spreading, the standard of living was on the up-grade, capital and labor were approaching cooperation, the future of all nations seemed optimistic.  At least, so we thought.

It is a considerably changed world now.  We are in the throes of the birth of a new era.  The Pacific Basin becomes the center of the world, commercially, politically, culturally.  America supercedes Great Britain as the spokesman and vanguard of the western peoples, who confront an Asia rising in nationalism and industrial power.

The great Powers of the future, the United States, Russia, China, loom about the Pacific.  America's west coast ports become her front door on the world, the east coast is the side door toward our kinsmen of Europe.  Moulding influences in trade, religion, poetry, art, drama come from Asia rather than Europe.

What historical development has led to this—what tremendous possibilities the future holds, are told in this stirring lecture.





LECTURE SUBJECTS

A WORLD OF NEW FORCES
Upton Close's Philosophy of Human Affairs Today—A Startling Presentation of an Era in Which Empire Fails, Political Theories Are Challenged and Industry Is in Crisis.

Entirely new forces have entered human relationships in this amazing age in which we live.  If we do not recognize them we shall become as antiquated as Bourbons or horse-cars.  Most of these few forces have come out of the Cast; Asia is showing us reserves of popular power, strengths of weakness, our mechanized civilization had forgotten or never knew existed.

—What of scientific military equipment and expertly trained droops when they must halt before unarmed enthusiasts wearing Gandhi-caps?

—What of Empire that must withdraw to keep its merchants from utter ruin?

—What value the panoply of power when gold-braided Viceroys and Premiers must receive on equal basis a man in a loincloth who travels in steerage?

—What boast to the richest country in the world that honest and willing citizens can't sell their labor for necessities of life?

—What security in the world's greatest accumulation of capital when a Soviet nation starting without finance may rival us in production, and menace our economy?

—What are the forces to determine society, production, government from now on?  Hear the answer of an unbiased and fearless observer and thinker.



UPTON CLOSE CULTURAL EXPEDITIONS
An Educational Institution

Each Summer through Pacific Asia and about South America.  Commanded by Upton Close and his staff, Upton Close Studio, National Arts Club, N. Y. C.



RUSSIA RESHAPING THE WORLD
Upton Close Returns Trans-Siberian' in November, with a Revelation of New Russia's Part in World Affairs.

(Not a Lecture on Communism)

Nothing is so national — so Russian — as the International Soviet.  The Bolshevik régime expresses, in its attitude toward its internal minorities, its Asiatic neighbors and its European enemies, the basic Asian spirit of Russia — for two centuries curbed by the Europe-loving Romanoffs.

The greatest result of the World War—one to be emphasized by historians of a century hence who shall account it immaterial whether Germany or France won that contest—is the estrangement of Russia from the Western nations and her reaffiliation with Asia, of which she was part before Peter the Great.  This pregnant change brought to an end, first in Turkey, then China, now India, and is yet to bring to an end in the French, Dutch and American empires in Asia, the security of the white man's rule.  It has quite nullified the West's smug material and military preponderance versus Asia.  It forces the British Empire, for instance, to its amazingly drastic changes of policy toward India, Egypt, Iraq and Palestine.

And economic consequences as great as the political, are yet to come!

Upton Close is returning with material fresh from observation and talks with the makers of Russia's foreign policies.  Have him in your club while this material is new.



UPTON CLOSE BOOKS
by D. Appleton & Co.:

EMINENT ASIANS 1930-31 OUTLINE HISTORY OF CHINA

by G. P. Putnam's Sons:

IN THE LAND OF THE LAUGHING BUDDHA—a Personal Story

MOONLADY—a Novel of New China

REVOLT OF ASIA Six Editions






UPTON CLOSE
America's First Hand Popular Interpreter of Asia's Aspirations, Life and Romance

After the Handshaking is Over

Hearers' and committeemen's opinions of Mr. Close as an orator

DELAWARE STATE FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS, Wilmington, Del.—Upton Close was, I think, the finest I ever heard.  Of course, I am vitally interested in his subject.  I'd like to join his trip to Asia—just to get the lectures.—Mrs. William H. Beacom, President.

EMIL G. HIRSCH CENTER, Chicago, Ill.—I want to take this opportunity of thanking you most heartily for sending Mr. Close to us. … His was a magnificent address.  Presented in strong and forceful manner, he showed his complete mastery of his subject.  Highly informative and keenly stimulating, he made his audience alive to the great issues now at stake and the role that the Pacific basin is destined to play in the future of civilization.  His was a fine presentation of a highly controversial subject.—S. D. Schwartz, Executive Director.

FORUM, San Diego, Cal.—We have had Upton Close five times.  We will want him every time he comes within our reach.  He means a full house.—Dr. Howard Burton Bard.

ROTARY CLUB, New York City.—Mr. Close gave us a most interesting lecture on The Revolt of Asia.  We are sorry for those who missed it and our advice is if you ever get a chance to hear Upton Close lecture—don't miss it.  If you run across one of his books, read it.  Mr. Close predicts that the destiny of this nation lies in what happens in Asia and how we relate ourselves to it.—from Spokes.

MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, Boston, Mass.—We found Upton Close a dynamic speaker.  The sketch he gave us of his journeying across Asia was extremely dramatic and greatly enjoyed by his audience.  Mr. Close impressed me as a man well informed and one who went for his material directly to the living sources.  I should judge him to be a competent and sympathetic observer.  He is certainly a dramatic and vivid speaker.— Mrs. Trueworthy White, Civic Director.

GRADUATES CLUB, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.—I am writing to tell you how much we all enjoyed having Upton Close speak for us.  The lecture was well attended and everyone thought it an excellent one.—Albert B. Crawford, Chairman.

WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY CLUB, Tacoma, Wash.—Attractive personality, force, exquisite diction—combined with one of the most pleasing speaking voices we have ever heard.

RIDGEWOOD WOMAN'S CLUB, Ridgewood, N. J.—His address alone made my chairmanship worth while.  It is a treat to be addressed as though we wanted to think.  I'm a little bit cynical about woman's club programs—seemingly intelligent women so lap up platitudes and shallow generalities in agreement with their own opinion.  It was simply splendid to be responsible for bringing to Ridgewood a speaker who would not — I should perhaps better say who could not—so belittle his subject.—Mrs. Edgar G. Wandless.

THE SAINT PAUL COLLEGE CLUB, St. Paul, Minn.—A man bearing such a stirring and vital message should be heard by every organization in the country.—Mary V. Acheson, Chairman.

CITY CLUB, St. Louis, Mo.—The impulse was strong to give expression to the exceptional satisfaction afforded us by Upton Close.  Both matter and manner of presentation were all and more than we had been led to expect.  It was our great good fortune that his itinerary made possible his coming to us.—Gustavus Tuckerman, Secretary.

KNIFE AND FORK CLUB, Sioux City, Ia.—Laughter-arousing, thought provoking—a great evening!

WOMEN'S COLLEGE CLUB, Portland, Me.—He gave us an unusually illuminating lecture from the standpoint of one whose intimate experience inspired particular confidence….  We are all glad he came to help us understand the news from Asia.—Mrs. Albion H. Little.

LEAGUE FOR POLITICAL EDUCATION, New York City.—Your lecture for us was wonderfully successful.—Robert Erskine Ely, Director.

UNIVERSITY CLUB, Los Angeles, Cal.—Upton Close's subject is immense.  But purely as a platform speaker, in quality of voice, in clarity and simplicity and convincing argument, in largeness, fairness and tolerance and scholarly yet humorously detached air, he surpasses anything this club has enjoyed—and we have been addressed by most of the prominent speakers and statesmen of our day.

CIVIC CLUB, Portland, Ore.—In Content and delivery the address of Upton Close was a masterpiece.

ROTARY CLUB, Chicago, Ill.—One of the biggest things we have put on.  (Since on three times.)

For terms and dates address Mr. Close's exclusive managers
THE POND BUREAU
Founded 1873 by Major J. B. Pond
25 West 43d Street
(Phone BRyant 9-7216)
New York, N. Y.




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A FEW OF THE PLACES WHERE UPTON CLOSE HAS APPEARED

National Geographic Society, Washington, D. C.
League for Political Education, (Town Hall) New York (2)
Philadelphia Forum, Philadelphia, Pa.
Goodwyn Institute, Memphis, Tenn. (2)
American Geographical Society, New York
Geographical Society of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.
The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, Brooklyn, N. Y. (3)
Emil G. Hirsch Center, Chicago, Ill. (2)
Institute of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University, New York City (2)
Greater Buffalo Advertising Club, Buffalo, N. Y.
Youngstown Education Association, Youngstown, Ohio
Contemporary Club, Philadelphia, Pa.
English Club, Detroit, Mich.
Twentieth Century Club, Detroit, Mich.
Contemporary Club, Detroit, Mich.
Friday Morning Club, Los Angeles, Cal. (2)
League of Women Voters, Pittsburg, Pa. (3)
Japan American Society, New York (3)
Vassar Institute, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. (4)
Lyceum Association, New Orleans, La.
Dinner Club, Minneapolis, Minn.
Advertising-Selling League, Omaha, Neb.
After-Dinner Club, Moline, Ill.
Academy of Science & Art, Pittsburgh, Pa.
University Museum, Philadelphia, Pa. (3)
Society for Ethical Culture, Philadelphia, Pa.
University Extension Society, Davenport, la.
Walker Lecture Course, Concord, N. H.
City Club, Milwaukee, Wis. (2)
City Club, St. Louis, Mo. (2)
Fountain St. Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Mich. (2)
Kirschbaum Community Center, Indianapolis, Ind.
Old South Forum, Boston, Mass.
Community Forum, Bridgeport, Conn. (2)
Abraham Lincoln Center, Chicago, Ill.
Milwaukee Open Forum, Milwaukee, Wis.
Denver Open Forum, Denver, Colo.
Dallas Open Forum, Dallas, Tex.
Houston Open Forum, Houston, Tex.
Open Forum, Bloomington, Ill.
Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.
Princeton University, Princeton, N. J.
Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Mass.
Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y.
Wells College, Aurora, N. Y.
Western College for Women, Oxford, O.
State Teachers College, Charleston, Ill.
Luther College, Decorah, Ia.
University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill.
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.
University of So. California, Los Angeles, Cal.
University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif.
Michigan State College, East Lansing, Mich.
Shattuck School, Faribault, Minn.
St. Mary's School, Peekskill, N. Y.
Teachers Institute, Media, Pa.
State Teachers Ass'n, Rock Island, Ill.
State Teachers' Conventions in Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, California, etc.
Teachers Associations in Rochester, N. Y.; Toledo, O.; Jersey City, N. J.; New Rochelle, N. Y., etc.
Graduates Club, New Haven, Conn.
University Club, Chicago, Ill. (2)
Saturn Club, Buffalo, N. Y.
Buffalo Athletic Club, Buffalo, N. Y.
Westmoreland Club, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Ben Lomond Club, Ogden, Utah
Rotary Clubs in New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill. (4), Cleveland, O., Indianapolis, Ind., etc.
Fortnightly Club, Chicago, Ill.
Woman's Athletic Club, Chicago, Ill.
Middlesex Woman's Club, Lowell, Mass.
Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Monday Afternoon Club, Binghamton, N. Y. (2)
Council of Jewish Women, Detroit, Mich.
Monday Afternoon Club, Passaic, N. J.
Ebell Club, Los Angeles, Cal. (2)
Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, Cal. And several score Women's Clubs.