Evening star., 1933-07-02

Arabia and the % whom fate
has marked out to pass the
i f1eeting years in the far-of
Fiji Isles will not forget to
commemorate Independence day. When
blaring bands march down a thousand
main streets and orators wax eloquent
throughout the United States, nearly
100000 Americans scattered in remote
corners of the globe; in fashionable
European capitals and in the interior
of China, in the jungles of Africa and
in the Australian bush, will figuratively
join hands around the world and cele-
bra.e in both solemn and joyous spirit.
They have always done so when the
calendar points to the Fourth of July.
1t is their favorite holiday.
Whether comfortably placed in the
embassies of Paris or Peking, or dan
gerously set apart as one of the 80
Americans in Madagascar or the 60 in
Ceylon, these travellers who carry the
Stars and Stripes on commercial, edu-
cational, political and religious missions
everywhere on earth suddenly are
drawn close to their homeland on the
glorious Fourth" The contrasting
notes Of sadness and mirth which char
acterize this day strike a chord deep in
their hearts and make both sides of
the international date line vibrate in
honor OF the United States
Majority Are Homesick.
The animated patriotism of Amer
leans residing permanently abroad often
surprises tourists who happen to reach
a foreign port on Independence day.
The tourists discover their countrymen
are aggressively proud of the fact that
they are Americans. Shattered is the
postwar legend concerning the dis
gruntled expatrtate who fled his native
shores. literally supplied with money,
and found cynical solace in the So
called superior virtues of European or
Oriental civilization. The majority of
Americans abroad are just as homesick
Tor their native land as Frenchmen in
the Wllds OF 1ndo-China have ALWAYS
been for their beloved Paris.
Today 1t Is hard to find a travelling
American who is not openly and often
belligerently boastful about his country,
Inc spirit OF intense nationalism which
spread over the world in seven league
boots IN the last decade sunk its teeth
Solidly into Uncle Sans foreign repre-
sentatives.
independence day is the annual cli-
max in the drama of his life aWav
from home. 1t gives him his greatest
chance for making a show Of his pe-
cullar1t1es in the midst Of yellow, brown,
plack or white natives of strange land.
Every american consul merchant mis-
slonary, soldier, sailor and beachcomber
stands ready to take advantage of the
glorious Fourth
To take part in an independence dav
celebration in Shanghai, China. Is to
become suddenly aware Of the difference
between the significance at home and
abroad. Most persons in the United
States regard the Fourth as a dav
which permits them to duck work and
to go to the beach or park to escape the
heat.
But in Shanghai, where 1000 Amer
leans are wedged in between 1000 900
OrientalS and $4,000 Europeans the
Fourth OF July means an opportunity
for them to reaSsert their broad, human
convictions before people who have diff
ferent ideas about life and government
1t makes them aware of a basic pride
the possession Of a country and a flag.
1t Is their reward for the Job of being
on guard whole year, day and night,
against foreign people and un-American
desires. And finally, it serves as an
emotional exhaust valve which reduces
for a day the ineluctable pressure of the
Orient.
Chinese Enjoy Parade.
That is why every American in
Shanghai rises early on July 4 and
takes an active part in the ceremonies.
At o'clock in the morning they 90
to the recreation grounds in the heart
OF the International Settlement to
watch the parade of the 4th Regiment
United States Marines Detachments
of American youths who belong to the
Shanghai Volunteer Corps also take
part in the parade. Young men from
every State in the Union, they march
with bright eyes and smiling lips.
Thousands of Chinese mass along the
sidelines
Surrounded by the gabled roofs of
sooty Shanghai, the Marines hold SOL
emn f1ag-raising ceremonies amid a
general hush. American boys and
girls stand quiet with their fathers
and mothers as the Stars and Stripes
are hoisted while a bugler blows To
the Colors." The Chinese do not un-
derstand why the "mei-kua' have
grave proud faces. Why should any
body grow SO serious over the mere
raising of a flag? But the Americans,
who used to think it was not proper
to display patriotic emotions, have
learned a lesson from the English, who
always speak of home with the H"
in majescule.
Receive Foreign Friends.
In rickshas, autos and buses they
proceed merrily to the American con-
sulate, where the consul general and
his staff are waiting to receive them
as well as numerous Oriental and Eu
ropean friends. The consul general is
dressed in a dark blue jacket and white
drill trousers. In big room decorated
with flags, gay pennants and bunting,
the guests appear to pay their respects
to the United States. Passing down the
line in their varicolored uniforms move
army and naval officers from Japan.
China England, France, Italy Portu-
gal, Germany and Holland; also Parsees,
MahoDetans, Buddhists, Europeans,
Australians and South Americans.
All the dignitaries in Shanghai must