anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in Paris.
the rebirth of the French people, was cele-yesterday i i' with more than the customary eclat ith the signs of the times—with a solemnity been seen here before. The absence of and' ah occasional drizzle, particularly during it at the French Park at 7.30 a.m. in spectacle of column after column of well-well-disciplined men march past the saluting base use greeted them, where po and conversed, whilst everywhere IE large groups of friends were seen gaily engaged in conversations. Here, as at the parade earlier in the mornig. al nations represented in Shanghai were also strongly represented.
At the French Club The French community and their friends had a busy day ahead of them, however, for at noon, a large recep-fiom was given at the Cercle Francais off Route Vallon whilst at 1 pin. the Fretich: members of the French Club "were the hosts to foreign members. Here too; the premises were crowded capacity.
in addressing the gathering, M. F. Bouvier, president of the Club said:
It is indeed a great honour for the Committee and ch members of Grím Deviee Used by Would-Be Extortioner While extortion letters containing bullets are nothing new in Shanghai to pùt a coffin in front the intended! victim in ordét to force him to pay under veiled threat of death is probably the newest invention of gangsters here. The first case has just been reported from Hongkew now under Japanese control.
Soong Shi-keng described by Chinese circles as a jobless loafer, who lives at 914 Point Road, is now being detained by the First Special District Court having been arrested by the police om suspicion that he has adopted the novel method of extort tion. He will be heard on Thursday next when: the police may be able fo arrest: his accomplice.
1t the police prosecutor is right thet Soong is not a mere extortioner but also a poet becáuse in order to convey the new idea of extortion he is said to have written some beautiful verses in which his demand for $50 is contained. The poetical extortion statement which is entirely different from the usual method adopted by other extortioners in town is not in letter form.
It defies the criticism of any Chi" nese literati and it surely surprised then took the salute from the partis cupants of the parade who were lined up in a huge square on the lawn the Cercle Sportif Francais to have the privilege to welcome you here on our National day.
July 14 is not only a French holiday glorified within the limits of its frontiers, so often attacked, so often victoriously defended, during the course of a history twice millenarian. It has far more reaching effects: it has given scope to new ideas which have transformed the world. We can state without fear that in the confused recipients who had meanwhile lined Up on the south side of the lawn, facing the reviewing stands across the roadway.
"Whilst the various units taking part in the parade were falling into line; the Settlement Police band played 4 few gay airs, whereupon, for over half-an-hour, spectators were treated to one of the smartest and'best dis ciplined parades to have been seen sch Ghai in many' years. dianala eral aiid military officials To enumerate: here all the foreign
present at the parade, would be 4 lengthy task. Be it sufficient to repeat that all nations were strongly represented.
Outside the French Park and, for that matter, throughout the French Concession, a festive atmosphere prevailed throughout the day with tricolors flying everywhere from buildings and private cars as well às from public vehicles, whilst many French establishments and business houses declared a general holiday so as to permit their staffs to attend the various functions which did not end until early this morning. trea, Many Receptions Held Yesterday French Ambassador, Clubs
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.