Mr. Fessenden said (n part:—During office the International Settlement thas passed through some of the most critical stages of its history, of you can vividly recall the Nanking, Road ine'dent of May 30, 1925 Which supplira the torch to kindle 2 great conflagration throughout the Chinese nation and overnight altered the whole trend of the future history fof China.
The acuteness of the situation can scarcely be exaggerated and it is tunate Indeed for all concerned that at this juncture Mr. Cunningham took fan active interest in the matier vith hhis usual acumen, sound judgment, col Council emerged unscathed from what is probably the moat scute Crisis In its history.
Barly in 1927 the International Settlement was again confronted with a highly critical situation as the re-gulf of civil war which was then Being waged In China. At that time e. Cunningham was on leave but T Know the opinion is shared in many quarters that had Mr. Cunningham Been in occupancy of his official post atthe time. in all probability, the American Government could have: been induced to adopt 2 more positive polley with regard to the defence of the political and. territorial inter grity of the International Settlement Srithout infringing the sovereignty of China oF impairing the traditional friendship which hat so long ex.sted between China and the United States thereby obviating In a measure. at Toast, the criticism s0 often levelled at America, even by Ame-leans them Selves, that America insists upon sharing all the advantages. enjov'd by. other nations In the Far, East without. assuming the responsibility wher the onlayment of these od-vantages. entails.
The events of the Sino-Tapanese imbroglio of 1932 are perhaps too close. in point of time to be viewed in their correct perspective. Trouchout that very trying period INF. Cunningham. as yor all wre aware, Sccuowd tha extremely dimMeutt pos!- lon of Sentor Consul, Tt has been my privitere on various oceasinns to attend meetings of the Consular Body when matters in hgo, influence and confidence which JMr. Cunningham has so consistently Jeommanded in his relations with his colleagues, "The archives of the Senfor Consul jand the American Consulate contain record of which not only he but this fellow countrymen, friends and Jassoclates may well be proud, but sare, eh, teetinonial which prizes ts not the wrtien record but Cunningham most hi
the esteem, respect and affection of the community he has served ably, who profoundly" regret his retirement and whooe best wishes vil always follow him wherever he Brv'Anne Walter Fearn, friend of as." Cunningham since he came to Shanghai, reviewed at length his firthptsce and various places where had been stationed, making special reference to the ate Mrs. Rhoda eulogizing the retiring Govern-iment official, Judge Milton. Helmick, nid that his antiment was one of congratulation trid even envy, but for of condolence." He added: i can think of no finer' experience in life {han the satisfaction of having fnishoda worthwhile job with adequacy snd honour, with a consequent iberation to tackle other: worth-wile Jobs lor follow one's ov pleasant devices without economic worry. 1 can think of no finer experience than living enjoy the reward one hee earned and merited, it is the' termination—of fink that" contem lis appraise Presentation Adérest Im making the formal presentation lot the memento of the occasion. Sronze please," which will be. in-Stalled in the new American Consulate-jGenerni, Dr, Beson Me. Gale regretted hat Mr. Cunninzham would not be Srsociated with the Taying of the learner-rtone of the new building on hanepoo, Road, the. materlatization which had been one. of the prin-ipal objectives in. Shanghaly He frentioned that the ides had. been conceived of a. Bronze panel, suitably froceibed, fo be set Inthe wall. the lobby of the new Consular bulld ing as 2 permanent memento of his
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.