For a couple of decades prior to the arrival of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in China in 1935, Irish re-ments were conspicuous by their absence in this part of the world, Until the arrival of the Royal Ulster Rifles in Shanghai last August, stated Mr. A. E. Fenton, president of the St.' Pairlek's Society, at a luncheon given at the Shanghai Club on Nov. 16 by the Society in honour of the officers of the Royal Ulster Rites. It was with the keenest pleasure, Mr. Fenton continued, that they learned of the coming of the Ulsters,.although they would have wished for their advent under pleasanter condl-
Welcoming the guests, Mr, Fenton afd that since August 42, when hostilities broke out, the residents of Shanghai had experienced most trying and anxious moments. The un~ timely death of several of the gal-Tant Irishmen of the regiment in the execution of their duty, he went on to say, was a cause of deep regret to alt their fellow Irishmen in Shang-hal, and he would like to avail himself of this opportunity of extending to the Regiment and to the families
condolences, the taen the Society's sincerest Music to Trishme The Royal Ulster Rifles were due to leave, Shanghai on November 25, and It Was a source of much regret. to the Society that their stay here had not been of longer duration. "It was musie In. the ears of all Irish men to hear that an Irish Regiment was on its way to Shanghai", said Mr. Fenton, "and needless to say it would be even sweeter music to hear that an Irish regiment was to be stationed here While, owing to the unfortunate coal conditions, they had not been able to see much of Colonel Rodwell and his officers, they had been de-Aighted, with the Tittle they had seen of them, and trusted that the regi= mont would Jeave them in the full Knowledge that their visit was heartlly. welcomed and fully appreciated.
They were also happy to have with. them Mr, W. B, 0, Middleton, Presi-dont of the St, Androw's Society, Mr. E, S, Wilkinson, President of the Royal Society of St. George, Judge P, Grant Jones, President of the St. David's Sociely, and Mr. V, G. Bowden, President of the Anaie Society. Their societies, in common with the St. Patrick's Society, were facing very anxious times, and might be. expected to do #0 for _many months to come, The demands made upon them were already great, and there was small possibility that in the future they would be oven greater, but he believed that given sufieient energy and goodwill, all of them would rise above their dimeulties and again do-monstrate to Shanghai the solidarity of their various soctetics, and their @evotion to the ends which they all had in common. Their presence at the luncheon was an indication of the community of purpose which ox-Lated among them, and a portent of continued agreement to act for the common good.
Lieutenant-Colonel Rodwell and the other guests replied suitably to the President's speech of welcome.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.