THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1938.
"BEER"
SSSSSSSSSSS.
STUDEBAKER
The National Beverage OF A
TRUCK
CHASSIS
NOW
Available
from
STOCK
ROBUST RACE.
WHITBREAD'S PALE ALE
"The Real Home-Side Stuff!”
per doz. pints
$5.75
per doz. quarts
$9.50
For prices and particulars
apply
Sole Agents: A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.
SHEET MUSIC
We are continually adding to our stock of sheet music, selected from the best additions
Durand & Cie
Anton J. Benjamin
M. P. Belaieff
G. Schirmer
Peters Edition
Bosworth.
Elkin & Co., Ltd.
Carl Fischer Inc.
Novello & Co., Ltd.
Ricordi & Co., Ltd. etc., etc., etc.
Our Sheet Music department is controlled by an expert pianist who will help you in your selection.
S. MOUTRIE &
York Building
SUNDAY
6th
MARCH
1.00 p.m.
HONGKONG HOTEL
GARAGE
Stubb's Road.
Tel: 27778-27779.
The Chain Letter
Comes to
by
T. Paul
G
regory
A singular and totally un- expected phase of the present hostilities in China has been the unprecedented interest of the Chinese
public in the intricacies of "Chain Letters."
These, it will be recalled, are an American develop-
CODDDDD0004ment and though their
The
5 4 3 2
to
E
China
日之
VEXX
EX. 游處關於拴日內登報公佈并依法辦理 (三)皆如受認購之中央中國交通三銀行救國公货物 (二)同時照抄九份钟寫出姓名住址及本人昭購數狐 -:- 告榄愛的同顺并以一份函復原道告人否則對不
據以後更換)派溉及會認者不得作抵
·國公債衚勞處任何一想耍一元以上的救回公 (金首飾亦可) 領取救國公債麥,或臨時收
REXIKE
公園
拾你
交
2
月
日
無救
Others communica-
popularity has somewhat
or "lucky chain letters". waned in the States, they called ch'uen-taat, or still have thousands of tion" (letters), were designed to convey news or tidings of some
Hongkong Telegraph. eager exponents, as evinced event which the writer thought of
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1938.
NO TIME FOR RELAXATION
1
ás possi-
from the large volume of sufficient interest to be circulnied to
43 many acquaintances this pic. mail arising from source. If they accomplish Somewhat later, these Oriental little else, "they," as Post- "chain letters" began assuming more Of Jess the characteristles of their master-General Farley once American counterparts, and we have said, "at least sell stamps." whole host of letters seeking.
contributions to this or that cause The desire of the Hongkong
In China since their introduc- many worthy, but the majority as authorities to prevent waste of tion some three or four years reprehensible as those which bra- "dimes" from the vaccine can be understood and back, "Chain Letters" have at- zenly sollelted
a farming folk in the rural hinterland tained the proportions of even applauded, but from the
gigantic "craze" which would of America, statements made to the Hong-do proud any similar event in kong Telegraph yesterday by a the more blase and easily sur- representative of the St. John feited West. Ambulance Brigade it would
appear the effort in economy
→
-
ог
對數
不雅
because
時
國
四小時内向當地中央中國交通三銀行救
行
收公救
到接
叫書的爱硏向胞須立体做到下列各項(
救
THE "VERY IDEA”
APROPOS THE PROS; TAKE AN ASPRO
(DASHED GOOD!)
By Eddie "Pro Bono Publico" Kelly
WE
were once like the Corinthians.
It was in a beer-drinking
contest that our amateur
status was questioned.
•
When we won the Silver
Tankard we had it melted
down and tried to sell the metal.
We wanted the money to help
a girl friend who was a little de- stitute.
Don't misunderstand us.
We were the one who was ac- cused of professionalism.
But we vindictively vindicated ourself (Dashed good, that!) Triumphantly pointed out that we may have accopted some money. in our life-time, but nobody could accuse us of ever having kept any,
What is money? Bah! Filthy
order lucre.
"Fellow Countrymen!-The war in defence of our great nation has commenced. We ore already forced to resist our aggressors, it is through resistance alone that we can hope to revive: and re-awaken our national con-
in sciousness. Therefore, that we may achieve ultimate success, it is incumbent upon every one of us, irrespective of age, sex, condition of life or circumstance of residence to offer what we can afford in order that our country may meet
the exigencles of the present
conflict. It is on account of this that we the undersigned, have started this chain with the sincerest hopes that our compa- triots will subscribe bit by bit In order to help in the accomplish- ..ment of our great purpose-ulti-
mate victory for our cause.
We once had a pal who thought: that filthy luere was a chap who, looked at French post-cards.
. Millions of germs lurk in a dollar note. Think of the dan- ger that awaits the possessor of a five dollar note.
Any man who possesses ten dollars should be as good as dead.
We could write an opus on taint-
"Therefore, every individual upon the receipt of this letter, ised money. We opus o.k. with you, expected to do exactly as advised because It Baint with us. below-otherwise, he will be deemed a traitor to his country We were speaking of profession- and will be execrated forever by alism. Wasn't it in the Gripps bath Heaven and Earth. (He who that amateur? has more than twice received a such as this is exempted from penalty).
And if anybody deserves a le- Particulars as to what is ex-monade, it's ua!
to be carried out by all pected who receive this missive:
the WITHIN
last Ave
six monthis, there has come a change over the writers of "chain letters" in old Cathay and they have ben based less and less on self-
jetter Chinese innovators was not entirely practical. No THIS type of correspondence is to
known in China as a lin-sok, interest. Their doubt the officials responsible or "chain", and the name itself have begun to employ them in ever for cutting off the supply of signifies that such missives are increasing numbers for the sake of national defence against Japanese Am-similar in content and scope to raising funds to aid the cause. of bulance Brigade volunteers who those in vogue abroad. There aggression.
one distinction, however,
This new type of "chain letter" have such excellent work in which is important and that is has been so successful in its purpose fighting the present epidemie, that the Chinese as a general of raising funds for the national- had good reason for their action. rule have not at present carried cause that it is interesting to con-
vaccine to the St. John
is
CO, LTD. It may be that the supply of this it to such an extent that it has sider its form in full. A tronstu-
Chater Road.
Repulse Bay Hotel
0
so-called
Recently, however, "Improved" type-somewhat milder in phraseology-has been devised
and has proved so widely popular that it is on sale at most Chinese stationery shops in the Colony. One of these latter is here illustrated.
become the annoying nuisance ton of one of the more interesting
examples is given in this article. precious material was running it has in the United States, low, though that has not been where in the hands of certain suggested; and all sorts of other unscrupulous individuals, it has degenerated into more or less of considerations may have entered i
a small-time begging racket. into the calculations which re-
The peculiar appeal of such sulted in their decision. But
system of epistolary correspondence the staring fact remains, and it is due largely to the fact that the majority of the educated classes in must arouse criticism, that
China have a nalve interest in any- there were schools and, it is to thing exotle. Especially is this true be supposed, individuals who if the new importation smacks of anything intellectual. Consequently, were anxious to obtain the ser-in a land where even calligraphy 1. Spanish Lunispiel. Ouverture. Keler-Bela.
vices of the St. John Ambulance or penmanship itself is elevated to it is not surprising that the novelty of such Waldteutet, units and the protection vaccina- the level of a fine art, 2. My Dream. Waliz
tion affords, during the ten-day a system of correspondence should
have at once "caught on." vaccine famine..
Announcing-
TIFFIN CONCERT PROGRAMME
Played by Classical Sextette-Leader Geo Plo-Ulsk!
3. Olav Trygvason.
4.
La Boheme. Selection.
5. Traumerci. Schumann.
to
6. Sulte Ballet Moderne.
2.30 p.m.
7. King Cotton March,
"
Grieg.
Puccini:
It is all
that argue
...Armandola.
Also ~ WEEKLY DINNER DANCES EVERY WEDNESDAY 9.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.
Excellent Entertainment in Charming Surroundings !
During the Arst year or so after Chinese well
introduction, most very
to their
"chain letters" were employed for anyone wanting
the purpose of felicitating friends or (Cello Solo A. Krassov). to be vaccinated can go to relatives, and as such were com
hanng-wan lin-soh, the hospitals or the government monly termed
a medical dispensaries, or to Sousa, man, but that is to dodge the be anything but amateurs when issue. The fact is there are it comes to matters medical, many thousands of Chinese here although they are much more who probably do not appreciate competent than any untrained the value of vaccination and for volunteer would be. fact It is
that the this, or other reasons, will not go out of their way to obtain authorities appreciate the work Brigade the Ambulance immunity from a disease which of
and praise it unstintingly. has claimed nearly 600 lives in Hongkong In the past two It is not questioned that the work of these volunteers was of months or more. The work of immense value during the early the St. John Ambulance, con-days of the epidemic; and it centrated as it has been in areas therefore appears, beyond dan-| **** | largely populated by the poor ger of contradiction, that thelr KAZAZ ZNZ and ignorant, has been of the labours must be still necessary. utmost benefit. Some 400 of As long as the medical authori- these Ambulance workera gave tics have 27 cases of umalipox| notified in one day (as on Tues- their time and energy to the titanic task which resulted in day, the last figure available) and bodies of victims are being the vaccination of 300,000 per-picked up in the streets daily, Bonu. If they wasted vaccine it is too early to relax for a they can be forgiven; for they moment the war against this are not and do not pretend to'plague.
For Reservations please 'phone 27775
THE HONGKONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD.
COUNT
THE
"TELEGRAPHS"
2.2
EVERYWHERE
.
1. Each recipient must buy af lenst one dollar's worth of Na- (onal Bonds at any one of the local banks (Ilere follows a list of them), within twenty-four hours after the receipt of this notifen- tion. Articles of intrinsle value, such his jewellery, etc. may
be exchanged for National Banda. (Bonds previously purchased are not counted).
2. Nine copies of this letter must be written out and sent likewise to your closest friends, Cross out the first name in the list and add yours at the end. (In this 1st, you will note are the name, ad- dresses. and amounts of Bonds
Wo think that'll be all.
purchased by each). A reply intist be sent to acknowledge re- ceipt of such a letter--a breach of this rule implies that you are not worthy of the confidence-of- your friends!
3. Notify the bank from which you purchased your share of Na- tional Bonds to insert an announ~ cement in the venucular press within ten days after your pur- the chase stating, the details of transaction ogether willi your
name..
(Here are appended the signa- tures of the participants in the chain).
A Few Random Thoughts Entitled
$
I REFUSE
That I can refuse to accept and am free to acquiesce in any idea, or policy which may be presented to me is a superlative gift and my inalienable privilege for which I should be duly grateful. Having this measure of free- dom
# THEREFORE REFUSE to hand over my intellect, my liberty of thinking for myself to ony sole surviving superman, whether he be a painter, a school teacher, a preacher with an economic bee in his bonnet, or a leader who would use me to promote his own ambition or to line his own pockets. My mind is mine and I intend to keep it mine and do my own thinking, with what assis- tance I can get from those of my own choice. refuse to jump when any man jerks the string.
I refuse also to be a hobbyist, al- though have a hobby. My hobby is to do away with all hobbles. "Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist." I refuse to conform in this Emersonian sense, when conformity means surrender of my heritage and privileges.
I REFUSE to yield to personal prejudice, 7 or allow it to becloud my judgment. I will not exclude from my consideration any man because he does not belong to my set, my class, my political affillation or my religion. I believe that Intoleranco is one of the major sins of society, Its implication is a supposed superiority, greater clarity in thinking, greater ability in action; whereas it arises from sheer egotism, insufferable ignorance and insulari- ty, and I will register a solemn vow to be Intolerant of culpable ignorance and insulati ty. I will not permit myself to Imagine that the universe centres 'round me or my part!- cular interests, nor that I have a monopoly
on brains, policies and the science of human relations.
[I REFUSE to be the plaything of circum- stances or to be sorry for myself. I want to stand on my own feet as far as that may be possible. It I fail I shall examine myself so ihat I may not attribute my failure to luck or I want to impress some adventitious thing. upon myself that the biggest factor in my success, my peace of mind and my happiness is just myself; that I am "master of my fate" in a greater degree than I have yet Imagined. 1 take myself for better or for worse and work on the basis of my inherent possibilities. If I am in less favoured crcumstances than some others I won't growl. If I am only a common soldier in the ranks I will work for my stripes but will not complain or make my- self a nuisance to myself because I am not a field marshal. If I cannot take a conspicuous place among my fellows I can always have a few friends.
#
I REFUSE, if I happen to have-been given or have achieved power, to use that power I am ruthlessly to the detriment of others. not a boast of the Jungle but a human with intelligence and sensibility. There are othors. not as well equipped by nature or circum- stances as I am, I refuse to despise them or to make life harder for them. I will not add to the poverty of any because i am not poor, I will not despise lack of education just bo- cause I have a little education myself. I will not use my superior experience to the ad- vantage of those loss fortunate than I am. In short, I refuse to do what may not become a man,
.
This article was contributed to the Canadian National Magazine by Raymond Crawford,
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