By Shanghai, Aug. 15.
Russians have for Jong given their interest to the Slavonic School founded by Sir Bernard Pearse, who a Professor of Russian History and who—with the publication of his Tatest book on the fall of the Russian Monarchy—has become the centre of lively polemics, Prot. N. P. Mfiliukov, of Mer. V. A, Maklakov; former Russian Ambassador in Paris, and others are fat the head of these polemics against Sir Bernard. The latter is an unusual figure inthe scholastic world of England: he 1s not so much a scholar fas a heated propagandist of everything Russian, He was in St, Petersburg in 1908 and again in the critical years of the War and the Revolution (1915-17), and he was in personal contact with all those who, at that time, were responsible forthe fortunes of the Russian Empire, In 1919, during the Civil War, he went to Admiral Koltchale in Omsk and. to-ether with Sir Charles Elliot, Genral Sir Alfred Knox and other Eng-Ushmen, made attempts to help the White Cause. Today he is a no less fervid "supporter ofan "Enalishrussian alliance. In English polities Sir Bernard is a Conservative, Old Russia he styled himself a mixture of Constitutionalist and a Socialist-Revolutionary, was long. ai opponent of the Bolsheviks and is now their admirer. Sir Bernard commenced his career as an incon Spleuous teacher of the" Russian language in a Liverpool University. Today he is the Director of the school which he founded, author of several bulky books, founder and editor of the "Slavonic Review" and 'a reco fed authority on Russian affairs.
"According to all reports, English interest inthe Russian language is constantly growing. Oflcers and youth preparing for a diplomatic career, are studying it earnestly. The Russian language Is a. dificult one, lit other European tongues, its alphabet is strange and Its social pleasures, old and young—the infelligentzia especi eve in the Soviet part Still under the spell of Dostoevsky, Chekhov or the Art 'Theatre of Stanislavsky-—all now learn the Rus-lan language, There is an Englishman who the' Russian "National Wi which existed 70 years ago and has Jong been forgotten by" Russians themselves. Two years ago a retired postal official wrote an essay on the Russian Revolutionary poet Alexander Block, Already in twenty public schools pupils are given the opportunity to tear Russia ose Russian t Life in Australia connection with constant ques ons "regarding the history "and practice of the Russian Orthodox Faith, the office of the Shanghai Orthodox Mission requests us to state that it would be glad to answer any question on the Russian religion, Would be most advisable to send questions. in writing to the Russian Orthodox "Mission, 55 Rue Paul Henry.
Mr. A. K. Witte who after conclud~ ing his work for the Chinese Eastern Railway fourteen years ago, left with his family for Australia, has returned to Shanghai, In. that' country, slates, he was in turn farmer, planta-for, carpenter, milker of cows and even cook. Mr. Witte says he was: not satisfied with life there, for although the country's laws are. oxcellent many people even with money find it hard {to oFlentate themselves economically, especially it they wish to settle down with a house of their own. Mr. Witte reports that exclude ing Russian youth, "which has acclimatized itself wilh litre diticulty, many people would like to return China, where It is possible to somehow make one's living without resort ug to: manual Inbour.
The Russian Women's Hostel has celebrated the frst wedding of one of its boarders: Miss "Catherine Charushnikolf has married Mr. B, P. Mashin, son of the well-known choir. master. The whole Hostel was present at the wedding, headed by Mrs. ING. Grudinina, the Matron. Many friends of the bridegroom were also present. where he plans to proceed either to Europe or to America. Dr. A, Marshad-Marsh has left for America where he will visit his son. and daughter and see the San Francisco and New York World Falrs. He ians to be back in Shanghai in three months time. Dr. A. A, Lempert, one the Directors of" the Medical Analysis Laboratory, has left for a month's stay in Japan. "On August 15 Dr. Boo" Iasinsky" is leaving for Karasuy, near Nagasaki, where he will slay for three weeks.
The following anecdote is making the rounds on Avenue Jofire, and is received not without a measure of satisfaction by Russian emigres, Discussing their prospects in this. cit German and Austrian refugees allegedly say: "We could dea lot here, Call of it were not already done by Ips" Russian refugees." Another timely anecdote, also from Avenue Joffre: "Did you hear? They say war is inevitabler" ""What difference is that to me, when butter is already five dollars a pound?"
England Learns Russian ten English Universities there are courses in the Russian language. In the professoriate of Cambridge University a Miss Hil, who was born St. Petersburg, has gathered around her 60 students of both sexes, and last Christmas they produced the famous "comedy "The Auditor" (Revizor) with a gigantic cast—all speaking their lines la Russian. The Intest number of the Times Literary Supplement is devoted to a review study of the Russian language in England. The young Editor of this weekly supplement is himself possessor of no small knowledge of things Russian. On the first page he pubished a picture of Anna Pavlova, as it thus wishing to stress the artistical influence of Russia throughout the world. But in his' articles he does not limit hmselt to the Ballet Russe and Chekhov, ike many Russophiles seem to make a point of doing. He writes that one must study Russian, as this is the language of 170 million people "in a country which is rapid ly developing and has a tremendous economic future." Russian, he con-rines, occupies an increasingly higher pedestal in international affairs, fand can offer much in the way of science and culture; and yet English universities have not given the Russian language a position comment Surate with its importance.
We must, states the Editor of the Times Supplement, exert all influence on, the educational authorities order that this may be corrected. Taking Into consideration, he says, the altered political relations between England and Russia, it's to be hoped that parents themselves will insist that their children be taught Russian, English students must be reminded that a knowledge of the Russian language will open the road to the beauties of Russian culture' and thought. This alone will recompense them for their work. All this to say nothing of the importance for England of favourable political and economic relations with Russia. would seem of that, he concludes, no tone need any longer be convinced. In reporting, in our own words, the views of the Editor "of the Times Literary Supplement, we would like to remark that Russia is the vogue in England today as she was in 1915. The Times even remarks that since the 18th century England has. had rear influence on Russia and her culture, that the elite of Russian sodaly has always spoken the English language, admired Shakespeare and Byron, worn English tweed and Wked English roast beef and ale.
Then and Now Mr. Leo Itkis, the popular pianist, on meeting Mr,'M. 8. Speransky, the operatic singer who has. recently Felurned from Paris, asked him if he any relation to the singer Speransky "Who used to appear inthe Bolshot Theatre in Moscow, in 1924. Mr. Speransky enquired as to what made him ask the question, whereupon Mr. Itkis recounted the following episode. During one of the concerts in. the Bolshoi Theatre the muslelans, Mr. Tikls being one ofthe, retieed that one of the singers wore a handsome shirt of "the Russian slyle—and, Instead of shoes, felt boots. This strange combination had a sim:
Weddings Miss E. V. Sventsitsky, granddaughter of the world-famous pianist and first Vaksmut, for many years in the service of the French Police. "After the wedding a well-attended reception and dinner was held in the Ex: OMicers! Club.
Following "the departure from Shanghai of Dr. UN. Kuznelsoft, who toft on a world tour with his wife and daughter, Dr. J.B. Rozenz~ weig has left) for Australia from ple explanation. The singer, "Mr. Speransky, did not at that time have a pair of leather shoes to his name and had to go on to the stage in the cheaper valenki, In spite of hi original costume, however, he enjoyed great success with the public. being reminded of this incident, Mr. Speransky admitted that this singer was in reality himself.
"The number of Russian magazines published in Shanghai has been Augmented by @ monthly publication called "The Orient." The Editor and Publisher of this new. venture is Mr. A. P. Ballod, The journal has teresting articles on "The Struggle for Thibet," "The Island of Hainan," Chinese traditions and customs, and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.