In reply, M. Knobel visibly moved, thanked those who had come to bid him and Mme, Knobel farewell He compared the career of a diplomat the life of a gypsy and said that for the ninth time in his career, he was now forced to say good-by to a city which, although he had only lade its acquaintance at the beginning of the 1937 hostilities, would ever remain a pleasant memory to Mme. Knobel and himself, of a city, where a torch of France was ever alight and where French enterprise and courage had made of the Concession what it was at the present time. He expressed optimism with regard to the future of Shanghai and in thanking Mme. Moresthe, who had taken charge of the arrangements for the beautiful affair, he asked those present to raise their glasses to the prosperity of the French Concession.
Later the evening, most of those having token part at the dinner. adjourned to the ballroom.
M. and Mme. Knobel and their little daughter are leaving for France in the near future.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.