6o
THE YPRES TIMES
the Branch had scooped the recruiting prize for
1931, and had made a very good start for 1932.
A number of visitors present were joined up on
the spot special mention was made of Captain
R. L. Haine, V.C., M.C., who had recruited an
entire platoon of his own, and brought them
without a single defaulter to the dinner. It was
agreed that resistance on their part was futile,
anyway
The final toast of The C.O." was proposed
by the Amphibian (a thin disguise for Com
mander R. H. Shelton, D.S.O.), was received with
enthusiasm and the appropriate musical honours,
and an amusing reply concluded a most successful
evening.
Stretcher-bearers, who had been scheduled for
23.00 hours, were in fact kept waiting some time.
Reports that reach us from those who have
not previously attended one of these Branch
Dinners, indicate that the feature which is most
striking is the general enthusiasm. Dong may
it continue.
THE RIGHT SPIRIT IN NEW YORK.
The live wires of our New York Branch
have been again recently to the front in the
cause of the ex-service man, and we are pleased
to record in these columns brief particulars of
two very interesting events that took place last
month, and in which these erstwhile members
played a no mean part.
Under distinguished American, Canadian and
English patronage and before a large audience,
a gala performance, made possible by the stren
uous efforts of Mr. S. L. Rothafel, was held at
the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, by
the Canadian Club of New York, with the co
operation of the English Speaking Union of the
United States, for the benefit of American,
Canadian and British soldiers who served with
the British forces in the World War. The
performance, in addition to raising funds for men
in need due to the unemployment crisis, was
designed as an expression of cordial relations
between the United States and Canada, with the
added significance of the opening of the World
Disarmament Conference at Geneva. Leading
artists of the stage, screen, radio and operatic
fields appeared on the programme, which also
included military drill by detachments of the
Cameron Highlanders from Ottawa and of the
Black Watch from Montreal. The occasion was
an immense success, and the audience was
thrilled when a group of English dramatic stars,
now playing in New York, came to the Opera
House after the close of their performances and
participated as a group in one act entitled
After the Curtain Falls." In this particular
scene Captain R. Henderson-Bland, our New
York representative, was accorded the honour of
announcing everyone, and following the recital
by each artist of one verse of the National
Anthem, the curtain was dropped and then
raised revealing on steps at rear of the stage the
Black Watch, Cameron Highlanders and the
United States Marines. Robert Loraine then
recited one verse from Lawrence Binyon's
famous poem, The Glorious Dead," beginning
with They shall not grow old which con
cluded a most impressive and memorable
entertainment for such worthy objects.
Members of the Cameron Highlanders and
the Black Watch also participated the previous
afternoon in a memorial service for the World
War dead at the St. Batholomew's Episcopal
Church, Park Avenue, New York. About
2,500 filled the church, which we are proud to
note included the following members of the New
York Branch of the Ypres League Major-
General J. F. O'Ryan, Major Theodore Crane,
Colonel Edward Olmted, General Palmer E.
Pierce, Colonel W. L. Hallahan, Colonel J.
Mayhew Wainwright, Colonel Charles J. Dieges,
Mr. A. G. Rolandelli (late members of the 27th
Division, whose co-operation with the British
forces in the fourth battle of Ypres, under the
command of our beloved President, Field-
Marshal Viscount Plumer, will be remembered)
and Colonel Frank E. Davidson, Mr. Franklin
Plummer, the Hon. R. A. C. Smith and Captain
R. Henderson-Bland. The British and Ameri
can Colours were massed in the chancel, and
the Rev. Dr. Robert Norwood, rector of the
church, delivered an address on Two Significant
Words in our Noble Anglo-Celtic SpeechFriend
and Comrade."
In the present general world pursuit for
peace it is interesting to observe the vigorous
speech on the denounciation of war made by
Major-General J. F. O'Ryan at the Rotary Club,
New York. General O'Ryan, who commanded
the 27th Division in France, is well remembered
on this side of the Atlantic for his hearty co
operation with the British forces and great tact
in dealing with the many delicate situations
that confronted him during that most trying
period of 1918. He appeals to the wholesome
families and business men of the world to take
in hand and end for all time this horrible
collective insanity called war," stating that the
unhappy conditionsof the present were
traceable largely to the consequences of the last
war, and that the mere suggestion of another
war is creating business dismay in every
countryand retarding the restoration of
normal conditions.
We are very sorry to hear, through our New
York branch, that our old friend, Captain Henry
Maslin had been ill for so long at the U.S. Naval
Hospital in Brooklyn, but we are relieved to
know that he has left the hospital, and con
gratulate him on his convalescence, at the same
time wishing him the best of health in the future.
