Another notable departure yester! day was that. of Rear-Admiral Alexander Duff, who is returning after having completed the usual term of office as Commander-in-Chief on the China Station. His command has been an extremely popular one with the service, and British residents have fully appreciated the presence and the able services of so distinguished an officer.
It may be recalled that Admiral Duff was in command of a Division at the Battle of Jutland, serving immediately under Admiral! Jellicoe. On the conclusion of that engagement there was no doubt in the minds of the best naval authorities in Great Britain that all menace from the German High Seas Fleet had been removed, and they were able therefore to concentrate on the submarine problem, upon which German effort was then being centred. This view proved correct for, as we know, the German fleet came out again only once and then no further than 50 miles from its base. When Lord Jellicoe went to the Admiralty, Rear-Admiral Duff went there also and it was then he undertook that immensely successful work, organization of the convoy system. This was introduced at a time when the Germans were determined to starve Great Britain, and therefore the Allies, unto surrender, and it is believed that history will record the verdict that it was the convoy {system which defeated their efforts. Rear-Admiral Duff was entrusted with the working out of this system in detail, and so successful did it prove that the British nation unquestionably owes a debt of gratitude to him.
One of Rear-Admiral Duff's most important duties during the command now closing was accomplished shortly after he came out, when he took part.in the conference at Singapore, attended by the Commanders-in-Chief of the China Squadron, the India Squadron and the Australian Navy, and at which conference the protection of British trade routes was considered.
Sir Alexander was entertained this week at a farewell luncheon given at the Shanghai Club by members of the St. Andrew's Society, and on that occasion he recalled much of interest concerning his associations with China—he first came out here in his very early naval days. One of his daughters is now the wife of Captain James, recently in command of A.M. S. Hawkins. His other daughter will accompany him on his return to England.
Common Association Formed in Shanghai Representatives of the American "hampers of Commerce; at_Shang-Tientsin, Peking and Hankow in the rooms of the American amber at Shanghai last Monday, and formed an association representing all American commercial interests in China to be known as the Associated American Chambers of Commerce in China The delegates to the meeting were Mr. F, J, Twogood, representing Hankow: Messrs F. S. Williams and T. Simmang, Tientsin; Mr. C. E. Seymour, Peking; and Messrs, J. Harold Dollar, W. A. Burns, G. Lyman, J. 5. Dolan, A. B. Hykes, H. B. Tane and B. Arthur representing Shanghai. The Board of Diractors of the American Chamber at Shanghai and Mr. Lansing W. Hoyt, U. S, Trade Commissioner, met: the delegates by invitation.
Membership in the Association is limited to American Chambers halving an. active membership of five corporations while—asst clat: membership is granted to Am: can chambers having less than fi corporate members. Atoerican chambers of commerce in China, including Manchuria, Tibet, Mongolia and any territory leased by China to a foreign Government, the Crown Colony of Hongkong, the province of Macao and Siberia are eligible to membership. Similar bodies having for their aim the promotion of American trade situated anywhere in the Far East are eligible for associate membership in the China association.
The purpose of the Associated American Chambers as set forth i: the constitution is to consider questions concerning American financial, commercial, manufacturing and shipping interests in hina; to communicate through the association the opinion of the American Chambers of Commerce and affiliated bodies to the American Government; to attain by united action such advantages a8 individual chambers would have difficulty in obtaining separately and when desirable.o appoint an agent ov establish an office in Washington to ensure to various members early and reliable information on matters affecting American interests and to facilitate communication between the Associated Chambers and the American Government and public bodies in the United States.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.