August 17, 1997, was an important day for the financial development Jof Shanghai, It was just thirty-five years ago that Michel Spelman, now Managing Director of the International Savings Society, arrived here to find strangely different place from the city as it is now. Then it was a small town, As Mr 'Spelman said in an interview fon Aug. 16, "What was once a village thas become a big world city—a metropolis where one hardly has the time to see old friends,'
There have been many changes, but he finds one of the most im-[pressive is the number of well man-laged Chinese banks, conducted on the most modern lines, which have assumed so natural and important a part in the business world that the difference passes without comment. At the time of his arrival there were Jonly a few foreign banks, whereas Inow there are many. it was Jone of those few that was responsible for Mr. Speelman's coming here.
He was sent out by the Russo IChineso Bank, became Secretary of Managers in October of that year, Jand Sub-Manager in 1902. Within three years of that date he was made Manager for China and Japan Jand remained in that position until 1909.
He went to Europe early the next year with every intention of stay ing. Like many others he said that he had "left China for good", but 1912 he returned at the request of Dr. Sun Yat-soft who wanted to confer with him on the organisation Jof a Chinese bank with half native fand half foreign capital. This. was merely a visit and lasted about two weeks, "Then he went home again, Jonly to return within a short time to join Dr. Sun Yat-sen in starting the bank, As these plans did not mature he did not rem Mr. Spelman must have felt somewhat like a commuter during that time, constantly travelling between Europe and the Orient. The number Jof trips he made becomes confusing to the person who considers the several thousand miles of water as something of a barrier, Although he had made uj mind that he was going to live. Europe, the fates were against him.
happened to be in Shanghai when the World War broke out", he sai everyone was mobilised, I took charge of the International Savings Society in April of 1915—and -here Tam".
Mr, Speelman is also Managing [Director of Fonciere et Immobilidre Jde Chine and Assurance Franco-JAsiatique, a member of the Board Jof Directors of the. Internation JAssurance Company, and of the {International Investment Trust of China. "He is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Shangfnai Power Company and the National Loans Sinking Fund Ad-
Oh Aug. 16 he stated his belief in the prosperity and growth of the: jolty and spoke of the immense interest the Chinese are taking in{it Jdevelopment and social welfare. lam a great believer in ce-opera Mr. Speelman mentioned his interest A lighter note was struck when jin the amateur drama Phish digo arch societies for war work. He chuckled when he told of the first time he appeared jon the Lyceum stage as Mrs. Cassim the production of "Ah Baba and the Forty Thieves." "It was then introduced my- favourite song' to Shanghai, Just A' Little Love, A Little Kiss!"
Michel Spelman was born in Amsterdam, Holland, on February 3, 1877, and was educated at the Commercial School of Amsterdam and lat Manchester.
Messrs, Li Ming, Ellis Hayim and V. Meyer were the hosts at a dinner liven at the Hu-si Country Hungjao, in honour of the thirty-fifth anniversary of Mr. Spcelman's
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.