Rising amidst Joud applause, Marshal Joffre said that he was sorry he could not speak Chinese, but he had come to China with the friendliest of feelings and had been well received everywhere, He wished to thank those present and the Chinese people. Shanghai was important as a commercial centre, and he hoped that the commerce of the two countries, France and China, would prosper to the benefit of both. The peace of the world meant much for commerce and the Great War was fought to protect commerce. "May the friendly relations of my country and yours continue," he said, "and our commerce prosper and increase.'"'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.