The U.S. Marines On Nov. 10, the United States Marines celebrated their 164th birthday, and, had it not been for the rain which fell on Wednesday,: making the Race Course ground {oo sodden for the purpose, there would have been a parade by the 4th Marines in honour of the day, a function 10 which many in Shanghol were tooking forward. in another column will be found a brief history lof "one of the most interesting bodies in the world. 'The Marines have seen active service many' parts and have moved to the protection of American interests In different feountries and most notably in recent years China and especially Shanghai, Twenty years younger than their British opposite numbers the Royal Marines, the US. Marines have a fine [tradition behind them, and to say that they adhere to the high standards they have set in the past ts but to pay a very small tribute to a re-Jmarkable aggregation of men. In the 4th Marines which have been' stationed In Shanghaly this community thas been afforded an excellent Jobject lesson of the qualities of these men, and they have carved for themselves a niche In the affection and. esteem of Shanghai "which peculiarly theirs. Their relations with the forces fof other nationalities concerned in the defence for the International Settlement have through= out been most fortunate, and those between themselves and the various British regiments are highly regarded by British units which have Isince toft these shores. Perhaps one of the rear fest factors which has assisted them so greatly 1 fapturing the imagination of Shangha has been the oticers who have had command of: them. Cols. Lyman and "Dick" Hooker, Maj-General Beaumont, and now Col. Fegan' have proved themselves excellent commanders with the happy faculty of being able to get along well with those fof other nationalities, and to say that they have contributed largely to the excellent relations which have existed ever since it became necessary to have a defence force in Shanghai is but state the merest truth. The 4th Marines may rest assured, that despite the fact of the weather preventing a large turnout for their parade today, {in the celebrations of this their anniversary have the hearty good wishes of the whole of Censors and Christmas 'The heavy hand of the censor is beginning to manifest itself in letters reaching Shanghai from home. Innocent. family snapshots have been conflcated on the ground, possibly, that important secrets may lurk in' simple photographs or illustrations and therefore omelet faction is unavoidable albeit the bona fides of (Ge correspondent, One letter received fu. Shanghai recently announced the inclusion of few pictures snapped outside the family alr aid shelter, but the censor enclosed 0 pink slip informing the addressee that they had been confiscated. in the ban on illustrations, Christe mas cards of an illustrated nature are also in-[cluded andthe indications are that Shanghai will receive very few cards from home. this year unless they are merely. printed greeting although what secrets the traditional, feature fof Santa Claus, snow-covered cottages, robin: folden-winged angels and cherubs can convey fare something which the astute eypher elleer may be able' to explain, The enclosure from the British Postal Censor regarding photographs from home <te,, reads as follows Picture postcards addressed to Potelin Countrles:'are Stopped bythe Come, crin "picture' portesrds"" Includes "the lntustrations of localities of works ards. iiustrated sample earn, snd of card which bears @ pictorial Must ez' in its broad application, this censorship notice s2eans that as far as home tes are cone Jcerned Chrtetmas will be a dull period festival for Shanghai tnic year, but the necessities of rational safety diciais these extreme measures to prevent communication abroad of Informa tion of possible use to the enemy, JAmerican people cannot remain indifferent to the outcome of such a struggle." Herr Hitler has all along seemed unable to do anything but Jget world opinion against himself, and, should hho invade tne two neutrals, which are now threatened, he will have considerably helghten-Jed the general opinion of the Insunity. of his policies. "The d.mensions of his folly can best [be estimated by the recklessness of his behaviour, and any advance into Belgium and Holland will be taken for what it is, namely the last counsel of desperation of a very des perate Government. It must be emphasized that should he embark upon such a step it would jeause no surprise whatever to the Allies, who have expected all alin that he would refuse to sit quietly under the burden of the economic control which the Allies have clamped down Jupen "hit, without doing something. to bring Jabout a speedy termination of the war, Calling. which " he ts doomed. to" ultimate" defeat. Maginot and Siegfried Lines, admirable. defences though they may be, do tend to bring Jabout. position of stalemate. That condition exclusively favours the Allies, Herr Hitler knows it, and if he throws off the last remain ing shreds of decency, and disregards the os surances which he has repeatedly given regard: ing his intention (0 respect the neutrality Belgium and Holland, i will be merely" be-lease he recognizes the peril of his position, a peril which can only be averted by bringing this fwar Yo an end as quickly as possible and Germany's favour. The sight "of two. such plucky nations ay Belgium and 'Holland manfully" standing "up for, and protecting their rights will have a singular appeal tothe "Am= merican public. "That public Herr Hire has succeeded in outraging sullciently up to the rioment, but, should he persist in his' course pinion in the United States may be even more condemnatory than it Isat preterit. That may bhat eventually Jead to intervention in the Wat ty the Ni tes but it may lead to ery: alization of public opinion in' favour of the whic not even tore Hitler can In the nun. alford to ignore,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.