By "Smov"
This year the approach' of Easter thas in the Russian colony been rather nobtrusive; it may be that in the heat of battle between landlords and tenants it has been felt in a lessor degree or that political events. Europe have pushed it out of the public mind. That i is an unusually early Easter is only to be welcomed: it will save the passkha from melt= ing. cakes from getting sour, and meat—which in all its forms attracts Visitors tothe Easter table~from spoiling.
Anolher favourable fact is that this year Easter falls concurrently for almost all nationalities, which means that gaiety, taking a' united front, Will rise several degrees higher than usual, If the weather remains cool for the first day of Russian Easter visitors will be able to do justice to more glasses of vodka, as in warm weather one is Jess "in the mood" for vodka; it takes quicker and more potent effect, Pleasant, also, is the thought that once again Easter is being celebrated in a time of peace. For though @ Eurupean war is the only development that opens possibilities for Russian emigres to cease being emigres to quit this unhappy status, yet no one knows in what conditions and with what gastranomical delicacies Russian emigres would break their Great Fast at the Easter table if a great war waged in Europe and the whole world, celebrated its 7th birthday. At present the detachment is almost 200 strong, ils ranks consisting predominantly of young men between the ages of 18 and 30. It is inleresting to note that most of them have a middle school education. The Commanding Omicer is Gen. Lo M. Adamovitch. while among the officers, fare representatives of some of the best regiments of the Imperial Russian Army. On joining, a volunteer receives a monthly salary of $54, and gels increases in pay with succeeding, Nears of service, while Corporals and Sergeants receive over $100. The Volunteers have uniforms of excellent quality and are fully satisfied with their food, while the esprit de corps and the relationship between the oflcers and the men leaves nothing to be desired. "Director of the French Police Commandant L. Fabre takes rear interest in this Detachment, often visits ts barracks and constantly' sees to it that the Volunteers. fare Rept in the best possible conditions.
We have been requested to point out that the recent report in these feolumns on a dinner held at the "Arcadia" under the Chairmanship of Mr. P. S. Grigorieff is in need A slight correction. The dinner was held not by the Russian Chamber of Commerce but by a group of Russian businessmen. Guests, of honour at this dinner were Messrs. Metzler, Batolin and Kauffmann.
And so last Sunday was Verbuaia, Rain on Saturday hindered adults from taking on childish ways and, returning from Church, flaying lightly all. passers-by (all Russians, at any vote) with "the. traditional yerbas (willow twigs.) This, strictly speake tu, i8 the last occasion for merriment until Easter itself, for the current week Is Strtstnaid when smiling frowned upon and open laughter is held even Indecent by: the Orthodox. When one must wear black, fast, confess one's sins to the priest, a must not attend cinemas, cabarets oF any other places of amusement. But Russian homesteads are this week centres. of industry. Kulicht are baked, eggs are coloured—this ritual loft over til Friday—curds ore vied for the pasha, veal and mutton fried side by side with pork and turkey. "Under no circumstances, however, is duck or goose included inthe menu. 'The main attraction Will be lows of ham, which much part of the Easter table passkha and' kulich, Time for Spring Cleaning As important os this activity in the kitchen is the spring-cleaning of the whole house, Women and girls must make themselves dresses. of ight—preferably white—colour, for it would be unseemly for them to attend mating in dresses of sombre hues. 'AIL this "entails large expenditure, but as on Christmas one cannot deny toys and Christmas trees to the children, so. on Easter one cannot deny the feminine side of the household their right to arrange Easter festivities to their taste. It Is, asa matter of fact, their holiday.
'The fact that Russian and foreign Easter this year fall on practically the same date will show once again how deeply rooted Russians Shanghai have become in the citys' Hife. Te docs not need an especially observant eye to notice how many ladies and girls are promenading on the streets in headdress that in Russia was worn. pre-eminently. by ity village-girls: coloured "Ker= which are tied around the heads of so many faithful followers Es fof feminine fashions. The creation this style belongs wholly to Russia of the villages. In cosmopotitan Shanghai, "however, these kerchiefs were at first worn to 40 to the theatre and are now used on almost all occasions. who form the majority in Shanghai, view this new vogue as some punishment and a menace wade, But observers of the growth fof Russian influence in foreign cou tries are happy to note that the "kosynochka™ which once belonged only to the Russian village now Heaces the streets of the must urban communities.
Preparing for Summer Directly after Easter ftussians will settle down to preparing. themselves for the summer" holiday. season. his for many isa. special, profession, {ort of side line, which before ihe Hostilities brought excellent prest to thousands. "Already advice ts being ct dispensed qs to what one fean_expeet from the summer season in"'ringtao, and what documents and money one' must have to" sail for Chefoo, "One welcome piece of news fs'that the Taoshan motstalns will probably be open. for residence, nother ie that the stunmer resorts round Dairen are already expecting Russian holiday-makers.
On-Aprit I the Mussian Volunteer Detachment in the Bench Concession Room Rents Increase The registration of Russian emt gees in the Police Bureau of the Government of Greater Shanghai has been concluded and all persons who have not registered themselves and who wish to receive passports from these authorities must now pay a fine according to the time they have allowed to elapse.
As the least well-to-do clement of all Shanghai foreigners, Russians are experiencing acute suffering due to the speculation on rents of apart ments, houses and—especially—Tooms. A room of average size at present costs from $10. t $100, a small room draws & monthly rent of between $45 and $50, and even a tiny room that used' to be rented out for $10 to $15 now cannot be found for less than §25. The winter over, the season for heating has almost passed, yet prices continue to vise, and recently several large firms increased their' rent by 5010 6 per cent. Courts are constantly. busy with settling cases of tenants being forcibly moved out of ats and Tooms. This state of affairs has caused a wail from the" Russian colony. Only a negligible percentage of Russians have received a raise In salary due to the high cost. living; to live as cheaply as, say, the Chinese is for Russians after" all Impossible; and the constantly. growing rents are for many nothing short of a tragedy. That is why the Fecent order of the Concession authorities to investigate the whole question and find out when, why and what "apartments landlords have Increased the rent has fraised the hopes of people who have been re-Suced to almost desperation and who want to believe that administrative methods will succeed in putting 10 an end to this unashamed specul: tion.
Gra Duke's Picture Circulated The personality of young Grand Duke Vladimir who is a permanent resident of France although at pri ent visiting his royal relatives and who is recognized as the Romano dynasty gid the Keeper of, the Throne, becoming more and more popilir among Russians. This can be judged by the rapidity with which portraits of the young Grand Duke are being circulated in the Russian colony. At frst only pictures made their appearance, while now a large portrait in three colours by Mr. S. N. Schetinfu has seen the light of day. Accordig to general opinion, Grand Duke Vladimir greatly resembles Emperor Alexandre HIE in his youth, In the light of the tatest. developments Europe, Russians feel that a reins ment of that monarchy and. those Taws under which Russia lived to 1917 would be a progressive be ginning in comparison with some existing laws of some totalitarian governments.
Mr. A. S. Orloff, formerly an sector of the Impei at present in Shanghai. Me fs po paring the debut of a troupe headed by himself and M-me SIN. Verlai years of its existence in Mfanchuria' has shown that the troupe composed of talented and finished actors and actresses. 'The troupe is bringing to Shanghai its own stage scenery, costumes and even part of the props. 'The first plays will probably' be those of Turgeneff and Chiekhav. Russian followers of the theatre are looking forward with great interest to the opening night of this Wroupe, as reviews of its plays im most favourable.
The Russian colony has learned with satisfaction that atr, Cherepnin, a young composer and pianist who in the past few years has often visited Shanghai, has been made a Professor of the Russian Conservatory in Paris. piano-playing, i tion and instrumentation. Mr. Cherepnun, the son of the famous Russian composer of that name, started his musical education in St. Petersburp, and, due to the Revolution, continued it im Tiflis, He finished it in Paris, Jand" after that giving many concerts on. the way" Mr. "'Cherepnin spent nearly two years in China and Japan where he gave frequent concerts and even Srranged "for stipends for young, Chinese composers. Mr. Cherepnin greatly interested in Chinese music, and a number of his com-Positions have been motivated" By. Chinese themes.
At the Jast nual meeting of the organizations included in the National Committee held inthe hall of the "Sokol"
Club. accounts of the ies of this Commit-headed by Commander were read out. During 1928, when expenses increased to A great extent, donations increased Ukewise by 60 per cent. The yearly. budget of the Committee during its first" year of existence was $8,000, while in 1938 this budget reached the sum of $48,000, Since the day. Wt was founded the Committee has Spent $90,046 on charitable work In the colony. Expenses in 1939 are estimated at $28,000. The Interna tional Red Cross has discontinued giving help to Russian charitable Organizations. The second halt of the meeting was devoted to internal affairs of "the Committee and the Atiempts of certain people in the colony to cause a split among its members. But. as it transpired, the majority' of Russian organizations value highly the work of the Com mittee and of its tireless Chairman, Commander N.G. Tomin, and. they made an unanimous appeal to the latter not to resign from his post, as had been his wish, but agree to he re-elected. Written appreciations the work' of Commander Tomin from 17 organizations were read out, and he was mee again elected Chairman of the Nationat Committee.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.