Russians celebrate Easter as they celebrate their Christmas—two weeks after other foreigners; but January 1, "foreign style," is New Year's Day to all in common (although, strictly speaking, the Orthodox Church celetrates New Year on January 14). At any rate, the year 1040 was met by Russians" with unusual enthusiasm, th. this, they were helped by the weather; usually it either rains or snows on New Year's Eve, but, this year it. was warm and. dry—Zonditions which are very import ant for people who do not possess fuitomobiles, Reservations in all clubs, cafes and restaurants patron-ined by Russians exceeded all hopes. Furthermore, there was general satisfaction with' the food and the programmes, On the whole, if Russians: met the New Year in Russian company, it cost them halt of what it cost for~ feigners. Many~asusual—met the New Year in private homes, and only then proceeded to clubs or night-clubs {0 celebrate with other friends, o'clock In the morning, while a few did not come home at all, as there fare still left a few of such Russian phenomena who can go through three Gays and three nights in a continuous arousal, There is a Russian saying which goes, "Zapil, zagoullal." would be dificult to translate it, but the general implication is that festive ity Is ensured not by hours but by days Officers' Celebrate In the ex-OMicers' Club, the oldest perhaps the most comfortably Furnished club in the colony, the main hall accommodated 220 people. From the walls, portraits of Russian em-perers looked down on the merry gathering. Next to them were han Ing pictures of battle scenes, OMeers fof the Russian Regiment were in unt~ Form and wore their miniatures, while 8 number of Cavaliers of the' Order of St. George had their white enamel crowes on. their chests, Anyone wishing to see an exhibition of Russian beauties should have come to. the ex-Officers' Club on New Year's Eve. Gon. V. V, Zimin pro posed a toast to the head of the Romanoff—Dynasty—Grand Duke YViadimir Kirilloviteh. The Russian Club on Avenue Foch opened its new sitting-room on this night, "Here the public was made up primarily of Fepresentatives of the commercial and business side of the colony, and of young men and ladies, The artistic world met the new year in Vertine aky's Corner, the latter being re-agnized as the uncrowned king of the local Russian artistic world. There were, as visual, many Russians inthe Cercle Sportif Francais, On the first day of the year 1910, mutual congratulations were tendered by representatives of the Russian colony at the Russian Club, Mention must be made of the Shanghai Jewish Club, which conserves the traditions of commercial Harbin by meeting the New Year in Russian style. The club has Russian euisine—one of the best the city—and Russian speech heard on all sides. There were 380 guests at this club, 'The walls were acerated. by Mr. Pokrovsky, the artist. 'The Shanghai Jewish "Club undoubtedly owes Its excellent cuisine and the general merriment on this night to. the tireless organization of Mr. B. M. Podolsky. On the first day luncheon' was. served in this club, attended by the heads of the Jewish community andi by representatives of the Russian colony.
On the whole it must be said that during the year 1939 the Russian uny may" not have become any her, but it certainly cannot com plain of a Mok of business. Many Made considerable sums. of money, the number of rich men has increased appreciably, and in no other year have Russians purchased so many houses and plots of ground, Grand Duke's Message Grand Duke Vladimir I head of the Romanoff Dynasty, who sat present I England, has published the manifest "In the unfathomable Ways of Provie dence war has broken out in the very heart of Europe. The fate of nations has been putin the balance. The time came When the nations of Europe had to remember the absence of Russia from their midst, and strived once again draw the millions-strong Russian people into firm coporation with other governments to reclaim the lost balance of power. But only Nationalist Russia would yeeenact this role. Between present-day Soviet Russia and the genuine Russia there is a difference as wide between darkness and light, between an executioner and his victim. I deem it my'saered duty to turn to all Russians at this time with a word Jof warning against the dangerous: temptations of the false victories of the Soviets, as they bring not the rise and the liberation of Russia, but the entrenchment of the power of the God-fighting International. T also address myself to our brothers in Russia: be of good courage; the hour of your liberation is drawing near: fas, however, Bolshevism may grow in false might, {t Is sentenced to destruction, which may come far qulcker_than we suppose."
Tradition requires thet 99 major holidays like Christmas or Easter Russians remember those living in gaols. A collection is usually made {o improve the food of the inmates, priests visit the prisons, and, if the authorities give permission, hold re-Tigious services." This year, the Shanghai Zaria," acting on the initiative of one of its readers, made collection of books and magazines and ent them to various gaols.
Former Leader Dies Mr. A, A. Argunov, once one of the leaders of the socialist-revolutionary party, has died In Prague. Mr. Argunov won {ame when, 35 years ago, he exposed the activities of the notorious police agent and informer, Evno Aseff, who mastered the feat of working simultaneously for both sides. This was one of the most sensational ceases in the history of the revolutionary movement in Russia. During the elvit war Mr. Argunov itelped {0 form the All-Russian Government in Ufa, and later went to Vladivostok, being sent 1920 on a diplomatic' mission. to Peking. Mr. Argunov, ineidentatly, was one of the fret to'prediet in the emigres press that it was possible an agreement would be signed not between Moscow and" the Western democracies, but between Moscow and Berlin, One of the swallow clubs in the colony is the Orthodox Russian Youths Circle, "The aim of this group is to study the history of the Orthodox Church and carry on work in the strengthening of ethical foundations. Mr, V. Salischev, a student of the JCommercial School is the club's Chair man, while Mr, John Klepinin is the Vice-Chairman, Last Sunday a. reception was held, attended by representatives of the Russian clergy and also by prominent social workers of the colony.
Chamber of Commerce The Russian Chamber of Commerce concluded the year 1039 with unusual cess—for the first-time in the story of Russian Shanghai have the majority of Russian firms in the city Feglstored themselves with the Chats iit." It will now be possible fo act in telson, which wilt be advantageous hot oniy'for Russian commerce here, But also for the whole of the colony: There are, it is true, stil. a number of hems who are. not. part of the Chamber of Commerce, but the desire form a central economic. organ evident. Nes with the foreign Cham= fers of Commerce have been formed. Ir its inner work, the Tussian Cham: Bor of Commerce. has often settled differences between various business-fron and between. landowners and tenanis, has assated in the receipt of wites, has informed its members. foes' refording import and export, find) has given out various cern fates "and similar "papers." The focat courts have at times referred to the authority of the Russian Chamber Commerce, and the laters guar tees ence played a definite part in court case." Last ay the Chamber goliected. a sum of money 0" send Russian children to's summer eaanp in 'Tingiao. In October i formed fund for the aid of Russian vielims of the. Tientsin" floods. 'The "Chamber fade a: donation to purchase an ame Bulance for' the 'French Army, for which it received the thanks et the French \Consul: General. 'Phe 'Com: mittee of the Chamber of Commerce Opel 0° all fie. tie. their employees a holiday on Sundays, Work on' the scute question of tease in rentals has been carried out Successfully, asa number' of reals state concen met the Chamber bait way inthe laters proposalo, The Rev. F.-Y. Wiltock, Minister the Russo-Catholic Church, held 4 reception Jost week at whic earn of ten honor of Christanity"" in Russia were he rst centuries of the adoption
Alemonsteated. "At "ies Byzantium had "a stron emect on." Ttusian IKonography. The nultisloured ikons in' the Kiev monasteries, of which "photographs "were shown, Smaeed I present by" their artistic value. Later" reproductions. of the work of the famous Russian Ukcono raphers Ivanov, Nesterov, Vasaetfom and others were shown. A num. ber "of "prominent local" Mussian artists and' students from the Aurora Universiy "were present at the Tsingtao Plans Mr. V. M. Shuin, owner of a large restaurant, who "has been well~
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.