To the Editor of the "Norta-Cuina Datty News."
Sir,—After reading the columns which have appeared in the foreign newspapers, not only American, but also British, giving descriptions of the July 4th celebrations in the various ports, ete., one cannot help a certain feeling - of irritation at our absurd—British self-consciousness, or whatever it is that makes our own efforts on Empire Day seem so utterly feeble in contrast.
Apart from the advertising value in a country like China, why earth don't we make more of a show? We are members of the grandest Empire the world has ever seen, yet whatever pride we may feel in the fact, or the only way we can bring ourselves to show it, finds expression in a few children's sports, of which a short account in an obscure corner of the paper the next day is practically the only public notice we give of the whole affair.
In place of this, we should give a reception at the British Consulate, similar to that held on the King's Birthday, only more 80, preceded by a short service in the Cathedral (in the case of Shanghai) which should be attended by as many as possible, as well as by the British Volunteers in the Settlement, together with detachments from any of His Majesty's ships in port at the time. There should further be a full dress parade of the above troops for saluting the Colours, followed by a route march through the British Concession.
All the British school-children should be given a prominent part in the parade, ete., and every British householder and firm should make a display of the national colours.
At any rate something on these lines should -be done, but one wonders if we shall ever break away from the present absurd "modest violet" attitude we adopt.
I am, etc., True Bros. Hankow, July 28, 1922.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.