Spencer Digby photograph W. H. DONALD (above) is described by John Gunther in "Inside Asia" as "a most extraordinary human being." Born in N.S.W. in 1873, the son of one engineer and grandson of two others, Donald took to journalism, serving on three Australian papers. In 1902 he was sub-editor of the "China Mail," and later became its managing-director. From 1905 he was South China correspondent fo the "New York Herald," and from 1911 till 1919 he edited "Far Eastern Review." He advocated and established Hong Kong University, and at the request of the Chinese Ministry of Finance opened and maintained the Bureau of Economic Investigation, which was handed over to the National Government in 1928. His association with Chinese officialdom developed over many years, and in 1928 General Chiang Kai-shek asked his assistance in the Manchurian situation. He is a personal friend of both the General and his wife, and acts now as their confidential adviser although without any official status. He is remembered for his association with the Sian affair, when he assisted Madame Chiang to rescue her husband from Marshal Chang Hsueh Liang who had kidnap him. Mr. Donald has been awarded the order of the Brilliant Jade by the Nanking Government, but despite all his connections with the country, he has never attempted to learn the Chinese language.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 121, 17 October 1941, Unnumbered Page

Spencer Digby photograph W. H. DONALD (above) is described by John Gunther in "Inside Asia" as "a most extraordinary human being." Born in N.S.W. in 1873, the son of one engineer and grandson of two others, Donald took to journalism, serving on three Australian papers. In 1902 he was sub-editor of the "China Mail," and later became its managing--director. From 1905 he was South China correspondent fo the "New York Herald," and from 1911 till 1919 he edited "Far Eastern Review." He advocated and established Hong Kong University, and at the request of the Chinese Ministry of Finance opened and maintained the Bureau of Economic Investigation, which was handed over to the National Government in 1928. His association with Chinese officialdom developed over many years, and in 1928 General Chiang Kai-shek asked his assistance in the Manchurian situation. He is a personal friend of both the General and his wife, and acts now as their confidential adviser although without any official status. He is remembered for his association with the Sian affair, when he assisted Madame Chiang to rescue her husband from Marshal Chang Hsueh Liang who had kidnap him. Mr. Donald has been awarded the order of the Brilliant Jade by the Nanking Government, but despite all his connections with the country, he has never attempted to learn the Chinese language.