The situation was not without humour. At the height of the mani-testation in Nanking Road a Japanese motorcycle patrol holding two members of the Naval Landing Party, by some special gift of intuition. came tearing along Nanking Road apparently oblivious of the demonstration. At Vu Ya Ching Road the patrol had to halt because of cross traffic and the Chinese crowd was not slow in taking cognizance of their presence. Instead of jeers, however, what was almost applause was accorded the Japanese marines, who continued their journey looking rather baffled. In. another instance an officers' car belonging to the Landing Party likewise passed through milling crowds receiving a similar "ovation."
Hongkew, where thousands of Japanese reside, saw' proofs of the same jubilance, but there was no friction between the two groups. In Chinese territory, generally, the celebrations were of a calmer nature and the City Government authorities did much to hold enthusiasm well in check.
The Settlement Police, mindful of occurrences during past cracker demonstrations, took every precaution to avoid incidents. "A" and "B"
Divisions were mobilized at 2 o'clock and the big red cars of the Reserve Unit were despatched to Central Station compound at about the same time to "stand by." They were soon allowed to return to barracks, however, as the situation calmed.
While police on traffic duty, especially in Nanking Road, had an active afternoon, the Shanghai Fire Brigade experienced an even more hectic time while the battle of crackers was at its height. Between 2 and 430 the firemen responded to no less than five calls due to the injudicious puming of fire-crackers. In four instances bamboo matting had been ignited and in the fifth case the contents of a Chinese living-room were damaged by flames started by crackers. Engines from three stations—Central Sinza and Bubbling. Well—turned out to extinguish the fires.
Brisk business was reported by all Chinese shops in the Settlement, the French Concession and Nantao, selling firecrackers. Shortly before 2
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.