http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt258032d8 No online items Register of the J. Arthur Duff papers Finding aid prepared by Natasha Porfirenko Hoover Institution Archives 434 Galvez Mall Stanford University Stanford, CA, 94305-6003 (650) 723-3563 [email protected] © 2009 Register of the J. Arthur Duff 85082 1 papers Title: J. Arthur Duff papers Date: 1906-1996 Collection Number: 85082 Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Archives Language of Material: English Physical Description: 14 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box(6.8 linear feet) Abstract: Memoirs, other writings, correspondence, printed matter, memorabilia, and photographs relating to missionaries in China, political and social conditions in China prior to and during World War II, and American intelligence operations in China during World War II. Physical Location: Hoover Institution Archives Creator: Duff, J. Arthur (James Arthur), 1899-1996. Access The collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Publication Rights For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], J. Arthur Duff papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Archives Acquisition Information Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1985. Accruals Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at https://searchworks.stanford.edu . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number of boxes listed in this finding aid. 1899 November Born in Kuling, China 14 1911-1920 Sent to live with relatives in Ontario, Canada 1920 Returned to China, went into business in Shanghai 1926 Married Jeanie Woodbridge (a China-born daughter of 13 generations of Canadian ministers and missionaries). They had five children: Woodrow, Virginia, Arthur, David, and Teddy 1939 Moved his family to the United States when the Japanese invaded China 1941 December-1942Escaped internment in Hong Kong February 1942 Recruited by the O.S.S. and returned to China to operate as an O.S.S. agent on the Chinese mainland for the duration of the war 1945-1960 Established a highly successful manufacturing and retail business in several areas in the Far East 1960 Retired from active business becoming a world-wide wanderer 1979 Had a stroke 1990 Suffered a series of strokes, entered a nursing facility at Carewest Calistoga, California 1996 Died, California August 2 Scope and Content of Collection The papers relate to missionaries in China, political and social conditions in China before and during World War II and American intelligence operations in China during World War II. The Biographical File includes personal documents of and about J. Arthur Duff, as well as information on his wife, Mrs. Jeannie Woodbridge-Duff. The Biographical File also includes documentation on Duff's positions in private business. A substantial part of the collection contains material on Duff's escape from Hong Kong, his return to China, and work for the OSS. In early spring of 1942, Cornelius V. Starr established an ambitious intelligence plan called "The Counter Japanese Division of COI." His insurance company and newspapers were to be used as cover to collect intelligence in China. Duff joined this group and led the counter-Japanese division in Chungking. His work provided significant documentation on the situation in the Pacific and in the China-Burma sector. Duff's performance, grasp of strategic issues, and persistence in Register of the J. Arthur Duff 85082 2 papers upholding the course of action he believed to be viable is documented, as are his disagreements with C. V. Starr. Correspondence contains business and personal documents, including extensive correspondence and the collected writings of Barbara W. Tuchman, an authority on the subject of Joseph W. Stilwell's life and career. Typewritten memoirs constitute the most significant segment of the Writings series. Therein Duff recorded details of his daily life, his thoughts on various subjects, his trips, and his personal life. According to his daughter Virginia Black, his lack of training or knowledge in a subject area did not impose any restraints or restrictions whatsoever on his outspoken opinion. This series is divided into three parts by the time of the event, topic, and miscellany writings on various issues (See J. Arthur Duff papers, Box 1, Folder 1). Background Material consists of materials by other authors, generally similar in topic to Duff's own work, such as childhood memoirs, China and its people, customs and culture, World War II, and world's current events issues. It also includes photocopies of books and articles, press summaries, studies, reports, clippings, and printed materials related to the subject of his interests. Finally, the Photographs depict scenes and people from China, Canada, Africa, and many places of the United States. Also included are an extensive amount of prints documenting Duff family members and their travels around the world. Subjects and Indexing Terms United States. Office of Strategic Services. Canadians--China. China--History--Republic, 1912-1949. China--Social conditions. Missionaries. Missions--China. Secret service--United States. World War, 1939-1945--China. World War, 1939-1945--Secret service. Biographical File 1942-1996 Scope and Contents note Personal documents and China claim documents, arranged by physical form. Box/Folder 1 : 1 Biographical note written by his children 1996 August Scope and Contents note Includes Duff family tree. Box/Folder 1 : 2 Family history 1942-1943 Scope and Contents note Includes report on James A. Duff service in the OSS. China claim documents 1943-1984 Box/Folder 1 : 3-4 Explanatory notes to claims 1943 Box/Folder 1 : 5-7 American claims against Chinese-expropriated properties and businesses 1970-1984 Box/Folder 1 : 8-9 British claims. Foreign Compensation Commission, London 1981-1984 Box/Folder 1 : Canadian claims. Foreign Claims Commission, Ottawa 1981-1982 10-11 Box/Folder 1 : Address/note books 1950-1985 12-13 Box/Folder 1 : 14 Certificate of marriage 1926 March 11 Box/Folder 1 : Passports 1943-1966 15-16 Box/Folder 2 : 1 Passports 1943-1966 Box/Folder 2 : 2 Material on trip around the world 1970-1972 Box/Folder 2 : 3 Articles about J. Arthur Duff 1975-1984 Register of the J. Arthur Duff 85082 3 papers Office of Strategic Services File 1940-1985 Office of Strategic Services File 1940-1985 Scope and Contents note Personal files, notes, remarks, memoranda, letters, and reports related to Duff's service in the counter-Japanese division in Chungking, China, arranged by physical form. Box/Folder 2 : 4 History of service written by Duff 1942-1943 Box/Folder 2 : 5 James A. Duff OSS confidential file 1942-1981 Scope and Contents note Includes certificate of identification. Materials related to Duff's OSS activities Box/Folder 2 : 6 OSS information relating to arrangements between Cornelius V. Starr and General Donovan. Memoirs are recollected in 1983-1984 Scope and Contents note Includes clippings. Box/Folder 2 : 7 Notes and remarks on C. V. Starr 1940-1984 Box/Folder 2 : 8 Headquarters Philippine Department, Office of Assistant Chief of Staff for Military Intelligence, Manila 1938 December 14 Box/Folder 2 : 9 Memorandum and correspondence to executives of Starr Group regarding James A. Duff escape from Honk Kong 1942 Box/Folder 2 : 10 Confidential letter from the Director of OSS William J. Donovan to former members of OSS 1945 September 28 Scope and Contents note Includes information, letters translated from Chinese, and photographs of Yu Han Mou, 1944. Box/Folder 2 : 11 Memorandum issued by J. A. Duff regarding China (political, economical and cultural conditions) 1965 April 16 Box/Folder 2 : 12 Confidential memo regarding situation in Cuba 1960 March 29 Box/Folder 2 : 13 Minutes of meeting with Higher Education Delegation from the People's Republic of China 1985 January 30 Scope and Contents note Includes material on China's Reunification under the Three Principles of the People, Taipei, October 22, 1982. Reports 1941-1985 Box/Folder 2 : 14 Simulated report of the Royal Commission headed by Sir Lyman P. Duff, Chief Justice, charged with an investigating the circumstances leading up to the dispatch of two Canadian regiments to the British crown colony of Hong Kong in October-November 1941 Box/Folder 2 : 15 Incarceration of Japanese in Canada after Pearl Harbor undated Box/Folder 2 : 16 Trip to Canton 1957 October 4-7 Box/Folder 2 : 17 Intelligence and Sabbath observance 1985 Scope and Contents note Includes comments on fundamental and modernity in religion. Box/Folder 2 : 18 Arab oil rip-off has destroyed the "American Way" in pricing, and competition: there may come a day of reckoning - a "Sonic Boom" which can destroy the entire basis of "Free Enterprise," and the financial system with it circa 1985 Writings 1942-circa 1985 Scope and Contents note Memoirs/book notes, reviews, and miscellaneous writings, arranged chronologically or alphabetically by topic. Register of the J. Arthur Duff 85082 4 papers Writings 1942-circa 1985 Memoirs/book notes circa 1982-1985 Memoirs/book notes circa 1982-1985 Chronological writings' drafts Box/Folder 2 : 19 Childhood 1906-1910 Box/Folder 2 : 20 Early days in Canada 1914 Box/Folder 2 : 21-22 Events in Kuling-Kiukiang 1926-1927 Box/Folder 2 : 23 Shanghai incidents 1932 Box/Folder 2 : 24 Japan occupied Manchuria 1934 Box/Folder 2 : 25 1937-1938 Box/Folder 3 : 1 1939 Box/Folder 3 : 2 1940 Box/Folder 3 : 3 1941-1942 Box/Folder 3 : 4-7 1943 Box/Folder 3 : 8 1944 Box/Folder 3 : 9 1946-1947 Box/Folder 3 : 10 1971 Topics Box/Folder 3 : 11 Beggars Box/Folder 3 : 12 Chinese currency Box/Folder 3 : 13 Chinese customs Box/Folder 3 : 14 Chinese characteristics China coast characteristics Box/Folder 3 : 15 General Box/Folder 3 : 16 Sammy Chang Box/Folder 3 : 17 Mimi Lau Box/Folder 3 : 18 Chang-Tin-Chuk Box/Folder 3 : 19 Eugenia Moore, Honigsberg et Al Box/Folder 3 : 20 Oren B.