By "Smov™
Shanghai. June 21.
Looking back at the theatrical season that has just drawn to a close in London and Paris, the frequency with which the Russian has speared in recent plays becomes striking. From this new incarnation for the "Slavic soul" one is able to judge which Russian characteris-ties have most deeply—impressed foreigners. "Summed up, these characteristics make a portrait something like this; 'The Russian is, first and foremost, mysterious. The surrounding patters Jot life, to which everyone is an neonscious slave, is to the Russian merely a suit of apparel which he wears with ease but' which he just Jas easily discards for a new one when he feels ike it, To him there is'no routine or tradition in living; he is free o€ tenacious habits.
in essence a nomad—he has jerome from one unknown world and may at any time depart for another. The Russian can mix with the world around him, but an inner barrier prevents him from being part of it. Deep inside him a Russian is always lonely and independent, In addition, foreign authors now credit him with reserve, the ability to say nothing, great moral and" physical stamina, and a kindly nature, the play by Merton Hodge that had such a_suceess_ in Paris and London. Into a small Jvoarding-house for medical students in Edinburgh walks one Boris Orloff, surroundings heavy with settled dition, where even the ment follows "a monotonous, _unruffied schedule, Orloff seems a flashing meteor. "He leaves on mysterious trips, is suddenly heard from near Australis, decides to stay on in the University to take a degree in professorship, changes his plans and Tots 0 of everything all the -wh Keeping his life, his tastes and his Jambitions an enigma to everyone.
A Paradox an interesting paradox that in this fashionable English play the Russian Boris Orloff is credited with characteristics which in Russia writers used to give to Englishmen.
Russia it was Englishmen who took distant journeys, made sudden Jdepartures, never lost. their poise, tooked at life around them silently fond from a spiritual sideline. the English comedy the roles' are switched around: effusiveness, talkalwoness, carelessness are attributes the English students—who remind ferie greatly of Russian students in Russian plays—while absolute cor-ectness, inner strength and complete calm remain the privilege of Boris Orloff. Orloff, in addition, [proves to be perspicacious and kin from the first appearance of the young student Trion, Tonely without mother, he takes an interest. helps him got used to Edinburgh Happiness. To Russians Boris Orloff would hardly seem a Russian, but Russians will at any rate be grate:
the English playwright who depicted a young Russian suchos Boris Orloff.
Russians in the U.S. nationalities, Russians have two quotas—one' for those born in Russia and another for those born in China, for even before the revolution tens of thousands of Russians lived in Manchuria, To them entry' into the United States is even easier. On the-other hand the Polish quota fled to such an extent that those cho applied later than September 20, 1938 will have to wait their turn {or several years. Into this category fall several Poles living in Harbin who were preparing to leave for the United States but who must now postpone their plans.
Committee Dishanding Much discussion has been given birth in the colony by the statement of Commander N.G. Tomin, Chair man of the National Committee, who declared that due to circum: stances which make it impossible for the Committee to continue its activities in the spirit and letter of the resolution passed at the General Meeting of April 8, 1935, this National Committee is concluding its existence. The Soup Kitchen and the Hostel will not be disbanded for the pr Jsent but are due to be liquidated in the near future, 'The Tlalian Club on Rue Maresca fs busy popularizing courses in the Mahan language. 'These courses, which were started last autumn, Grew an attendance of over a hundred pupils, a large percentage being Russians. The courses dealt with' two groups, those who were starting their study of Italian and those who Wanted to refresh their Knowledge. On the occasion of the conclusion of these courses the Club held an exhibition of new Mahan books.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.