An appeal not to neglect foreign languages was made by Dr. W. W. Yen, former Ambassador to Mosco: at the annual meeting of the International Educational Association bolti at the Chinese Y.W.C.A, 123 Boule-yard de Montigny, last night.
At present mon equipped with good knowledge of foreign languages were not only useful but essential, Dr. Yen id. In Chinese diplomatic and consular services, the need of good linguists was constant and growing Diplomats and consuls with good command of foreign languages, not only could better attend to their technical duties, but in ordinary gatherings, could better make known the needs of their country. very opportunity must be given to Chinese students to study foreign languages, Dr. Yen continued. Languages were keys, he said. Men with knowledge of foreign languages not only held keys to foreign arts, litera ture law, etc. but enhanced the pi tion of their own country and people.
Feast of Eloquence During his tenure of office in Geneva, Dr. Yen seid he had been treated with a feast of magnificent oratory and eloquence. He mentioned among others the late Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Mr. Antony Eden, M. Andre Tardieu, M. Joseph Paul-Boncour for their born eloquence. Among others, who were able to hold their audience: mention with foreign language: Dr.
Benes, M. Nicol e Politis, Salvador de Madariaga, Count pony and M. Maxim Litvinoff.
"I do not like dying, and my wife and I hope that if we are transferred to another post that we may be allowed to travel by camel" said Sir Archibald Clark Kerr to the RAF.A. when 72 members gave a luncheon in his honour at "The Dome" yesterday. His appointments, however, had brought him into contact a great deal with the R.A.F. and aviation generally and he had flown some 20,000 miles.
^I began flying on a trapeze" Sir Archibald staied, "and have flown in al! kinds of machines from the old Daddy Longlegs 'Victorias' to the Gloucester - Gladiators and I have never been sick." Sir Archibald, however, reminded members that whilst he had been candid and had admitted his dislike for flying, he did Tecognize what an asset quick travel was, especially when it enabled the Foreign Office to break all existing records when they were able to transfer him from Iraq to China in just under seven weeks out of which iten days were spent on holiday and business in London. "I like people who fly because I think there is always something about them which other people have not got—they always seem to have such endearing natures. I have even begun to pick up some of their technical' terms—ig they like you, you are a wizard,' and if they give a party they push out the boat' I remember flying in Iraq and the pilot telling me it was not necessary to pull the parachute string because parachutes do not work in lrag—that is what I mean when I say people who fly have such endearing natures.' I also feel that I have received more than my share of the praise from your President, not that I don't like it, because I do, but I feel I should await your opinion this time next year'
The president, Mr. J. E, Badeley, in his speech of welcome recalled that Sir Archibald was an ex-serviceman and a Scotsman. The President said that Scotsmen are to be found in every responsible position throughout the Empire and recalled that Samuel Johnson had said "The fairest prospect a Scotsman ever sees is the road that leads to England" and that whilst the road to Ching could hardly be called "fair" he was sure that H.M. Ambassador was not dismayed.
All members were agreed that Sir Archibald had revealed himself as being possessed of an abundant sense of humour which should stand him in good stead to overcome the dif-culties and problems he would meet in the course of his duties in China, and on behalf of the Association the President informed Sir Archibald that whilst he was very capably assisted and advised in all matters pertaining to the air by HM. Air Attache, that nevertheless the servies of the Royal Air Force Association of Shanghai both individually and collectively were at his entire disposal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.