Hangchow, Oct. 25.
The original plan was for about 50 American sailors to arrive on Saturday noon, but a telegram came in the middle of the morning announcing the fact that there would be 10 on the first train and 27 on the second. Accordingly a representative group of American men met the 12.40 train and welcomed the 10. A hurried visit was made to the medicine shop, City Hill aud_ shops along the Great Street. When the others arrived at 3.30, the whole party accompanied by several Americans from Hangchow proceeded by boat to the Emperor's Island, thence to Three Lantern Island and back to the Y.M.C.A. where a fine supper was served.
About o'clock, the Hangchow Americans began to arrive and the sailors came up from the dining room, and a most informal time was enjoyed. For some time the various hosts and hostesses sat round and conversed with groups of the men, and then later there was an informal programuie consisting of addresses of welcome by Mr. Perry, Vice-President of the American Red Cross, a Chinese story by Mr. Cressy, another word of welcome by Mrs. Blain, a report of itinerary by Mr. Oliver, the singing of a few American folk songs, and then what pleased the men very much, ice cream and delicious cakes and candy and peanuts were served by the members of the local Red Cross Society.
There were replies to the speeches of welcome by a couple of the marines. They said they had been royally received wherever they have gone, but never had they had so cordial reception as that accorded them in Hangchow. After the singing of "Auicrica" and "Good Night Ladies," the meeting adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.