Spanish Landing Party Shortly to Leave A. very interesting parade took place in the Drill Hall on Wednesday afternoon, the occasion being a formal farewell to the members of the Spanish landing party which did duty in the Settlement during critical weeks in the early part of the year. It will be remembered that as soon as the circumstances required this landing party—from the cruiser Blas de Lezo—was sent ashore, and so. long as the case necessitated took over the patrol of the Bund and Szechuen Road as far as Avenue Edward VIL, proving themselves a very valuable adjunct to the forces which had been mobilized. They are shortly leaving here; hence the parade.
Representing Major-General Duncan, who is at present'in the north, Col.-Commandant Sir James Burnett of Leys was present, while Col. Gordon represented the Chairman of the Municipal Council (who was unfortunately ill) and also took. part in the proceedings as commander of the Internal Security Troops of which the Spanish party formed a detachment. These officers said an revoir to the Spanish landing party, complimenting them on the work they had done.
The date of the departure of the cruiser Blas de Lezo has not yet been announced. She is commanded by Captain de La Puerto, an officer who wears 1 decoration which is the equivalent of the Victoria Cross and has also been decorated with the Order of the British Empire.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.