Having recalled the first Armistice night in Shanghai, Mr. Arnold dwelt on the long-standing friendship of China and America and referred to the commerce, which existed in the latter decades of the 18th century, the part that the clipper ships played in its development and the renewed interest the United States had in China since the settlement of the Pacific Coast states.
People in America, he added, unknowingly had daily contacts with Chinese products which were incorporated in American manufactures, such as blankets, pillows, carpets. tooth brushes, soap, tin. varnish, hair nets and eggs.
He regretted the isolationist policy of America and pointed out that whereas the Great Wall of China was crumbling, the American people were building a wall round themselvw such was distinctly fatal. He, however, hoped this merely was a passing phase and urged legionaries to urge for greater commerce and a larger merchant marine which factors would tend to break down this policy.
The orchestra of the 4th U.S. Marines played martial melodies during dinner and Sergt Bouchard delighted with a solo. Before the meeting broke up all stood at attention while several buglers played the "Last Post" in memory of their departed comrades.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.