Col. Marr Johnson, C-M.G., D.S.0., spoke on behalf of the United Services. Association, addressing Marshal Joffre in French. He was very proud, he said, to speak on this occasion in the name of the British ex-service men of Shanghai and to express in their name their sentiments of respect and profound admiration for the glorious soldier which they held Marshal Joffre to be. He did not think it was out of place to talk to Marshal Joffre about himself, for Marshal Joffre already belonged to history. The greater part of the ex-service men present had fought on the fields of France, and there was no. British soldier unacquainted with the great role which the Marshal had played at the start of the war, and which was terminated by the victories of their armies. Like their comrades of the French Army they knew the Marshal under the title of "Grandpapa." He was certain that Marshal Joffre would see in that no irreverence, but on the contrary regard it as evidence of their warm sentiments for him. It was not. always well to talk about themselves, but, Monsieur lo Marechal, he was happy to say that this was not the first occasion that he had met him. Col. Marr Johnson then recalled another notable occasion, when, deeply moved, he received from the hand of Marshal Joffre the Cross of the Legion of Honour. In the name of his comrades of the British Army he raised his glass to the Marshal, wishing him bon voyage and a prosperous journey home. Then speaking. in English, Col. Marr Johnson called upon the company to drink Marshal Joffre's very good health,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.