Suiering memories of brilliant fealaof ottonal sail trid "valour '@h the titid of battle, deeds Which tieded throughout Iimperial Bean oon he Bupire as at the height of its sway, were res fed again in Shanghai on Wednes-Shen a small group of ferme slang and aval jeers of the gathered together for their hnual"reonion one in, While there are hundreds of assay oticers in this ety who Mao "ought bravely under the tne eral double eagle, sil those who Retembled nuniesca" but eighteen, for'"ench and every one "was 8 Gevaller ofthe alitary Onder of George, the Empires highest distinction for its fighting forces Sere aeeorstion wht Faaxs only with the British Victoria Cross and The" Atstrin Order of" Baria Theresne The occasion was the @nnual observance of the day devoted tg the Order's patron saint George of the Bengon? in" whose Gerttmoration the chevalers uso attended a solemn religious service.
Since the Order was first created in 1160 by the Empreat Catherine Hy, Wesurbiay'sdatey Novenber of the old-style Hussian cle ender, has always been celebrated Both St, Woe (Eevalers in dave et the Empire the "Tsar himself heading, @ observance with all the vivid cere" of the monarchy and the impress the. Orthodox church faite the slorioustenditions" of the Order survive in the hearts of pon who are enttieg to wear its colours of orange and yellow, rad AnMUaly. the fast dwindling group gathers on St. George's Day °widhale the lires of "memory Wednesday the eighteen Chevalier who Teside in. Shanghai each, one having eon highest. distinction for some. outstand deed "of skill and valour ither the Russo-Japanese or Great War. Although clad in garments and absent for but the moment from, some. civilian pure suit, each Chevalier' wore on. his breast the same white and red enameled cross that has distingui Russia's most, noted heroes for nearly" two hundred " years past. Proceeding in a body to the Russian Orthodox' Church "at" 154 Route Pere Robert, the Chevaliers attend.
services conducted by one of their number, "Father Antone Jukovieh, who-was awarded the Wecoration for leading troops on a forlorn hope against' the ener the World although his!
ly weapon was' an Orthodox exess which he bore aloft.
Following this rite, the group re-aired to the Russian Ex-Officers 246 Route Vallon where: tiffin was served in a dining "room decorated with the imperial colours. ind. double eagle, and ts of Russia's Tears and great itary leaders looking down from walls, Unlike other military orders, the St. George was not awarded' for bravery alone, it being necessary to prove that the deed, as well, em-Bodied unusual skill. Before' being granted, the recommendation—for the Order had to be considered and approved by a permanent committee of St. George Chevaliers, consequently the distinction wa conferred but seldom, During the Great, War the St. George." was) awarded to a number of Bi well as other Allied officers.
Though the exact cause of the fire could not be determined yesterday, it is. believed that cigaretic butt, igniting a quantity of cotton, starved, the blaze, 'Tragie scenes tore witnessed in front of the shift Ping ofice yesterday, when news of thes disaster. brought numerous frantic relatives of the passengers find. crew to. the Nantao Bund anxious for' information.
So far only eight bodies have news recovered and they. were. brought town with the survivors. Owing to the strong tide, high wind abd severe fold, many ave elleved. to. have either been washed away or drowned, Carrying a full cargo, consisting]
1,082 parcels. of waste cotton, yarn' and piece goods, the Ta Te, Commanded by Captain Loh Chang? ming with a crew of 70 and. more than 380 passengers left the Nantao Bund for" Yangchow at 1230 ain fon Sunday.
Eleven hous after hee departure, and while steaming on the Yangtze River, smoke was notice! issuing from the fore olds near the dining room. Half of the crew were sum moned to come back to refire.
Despite their strenuous efforts the flames gained consi Sway" and. spread {0 othe the ship. With the itu hopeless, the captai the ship. rom the moment of the outbreak, wich was described to be sudden, nie seized the passengers. Heed. Fics of the rescue work of the crew, any panic-strike passengers leap-fed overboard before the ship had {been beached.
As the ship carried no radio equipment,,0.8. signals were hoisted and horns were sounded for help. Flames and smoke shooting hig! into the sky attracted the Ichang to the scene. Life boats were at once lowered and many in the water were picked up. The Hsiangtan and Pingwo soon joined the force. Owing to the good visibility, the rescue work was facilitated.
The branch office of the company in. Tungchow, immediately after being informed of the disaster, despatched a number of junks to the place, All the passengers on shore were then transported to Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.