Fathers Wilcock and Milner, English Jesuits of the Slav-Byzantine rite, working among Russians in Shanghai, are believed not to be interned, according to latest messages received here resulting from enquiries via the Foreign Office. St. Michael's College and residence, to which they arc attached, are in the French concession, and the Mission is under French ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Fr, Wilcock's personal message just received in London says: " All going very well. College excellent tesults; 76 pupils, 25 of them boarders, 23 Catholics. Staff, Frs. Wilcock, Milner, Meyers and two Latin Fathers. Trying make self-supporting; finances now hard. Health of all Fathers good; very happy. Here no food shortage, but
prices high. Authorities good to us, full liberty to work French Mission. Church taken from us, now use Convent chapel. Sisters (of St. Columban) also continuihg as usual, very poor. Harbin Lyceum flourishing, many day Pupils. We also have classes of Russian Commercial Institute in College, high education, public lectures and meetings. Also University students (12 boarders). Our relations with Orthodox clergy very friendly except (Orthodox) Bishop. Inform parents; also tell Jesuits."
Fr. Wilcock mentions in this message the high cost of food. The rise has further increased lately, in consequence of which the Foreign Office. in agreement with the Swiss Protecting Authority in Shanghai, found it necessary—as from April last—to raise the monthly maintenance allowance for British nationals to £15 per person.
That this sum is still asked for on behalf of Frs. Wilcock and Milner is further confirmation of the belief that they are not interned. for the allowance for interned people is ES per month.
Further, as stipends from Rome have ceased, the assistance reaching them from this country, which now amounts to £360 a year, must be kept up. Funds for their support are collected and dispatched by the Secretary of the Russian Mission in Shanghai. 39, Roland Gardens, London, S.W.7.
'Benefactors who send Mass Intentions for the Fund are having these Masses said in this country by a Jesuit priest recently ordained for the Russian Mission.
Fr. John Colbert, Inst. Ch., Rector of St. Mary's, Newport, assisted by Fr. Denis Bonen, Inst. Ch., dedicated an eight-bed ward at the fracture and orthopedic unit of the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, last week. The ward is named the G. E. Dibdin Ward after Mr. G. E. Dibdin, LP.. a member of St. Mary's parish and a Catenian, through whose efforts the unit has been completed, furnished and equipped An appeal for £100,000 has been exceeded.