Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/298
A Letter From Shanghai
By GARNER CURRAN.
Formerly in Y. M. C. A. Service in Siberia.
“Na Zdar, Na Zdar!” The salutation was spontaneous, involuntary. I could not help raising my hand in the military salute, although I was in civilian clothes. The sight of 2,000 men, neatly clad in new olive green uniforms with red trimmings, and red and white ribbon insignia in their caps, could not help but inspire anyone. They walked erect, with the swinging stride of veterans.
They seemed out of place in Shanghai and they looked a little homesick. My salutation probably seemed out of place to them, and caused many to look at me in surprise, but they always returned the greeting with a smile, and respectful salute. The moment I said, “Ya iz Vladivostok, Y. M. C. A.,” the smile changed to one of real cordiality, for all the Czechoslovaks love the Y. M. C. A. secretaries and call them “Uncles.”
Yes, Shanghai has been captured by the 1st Regiment of the Czechoslovaks. They arrived on the “Tras-os-Montes”, (Behind the Mountains) Sunday, Dec. 21st, direct from Vladivostok. This steamer was formerly the German ship Von Buelow and has been allocated to the Portugese, but is manned now by a British crew. They sail Saturday for France.
There are 1,800 men aboard, all veterans. Fully 1,300 bear wounds. Even the Y. M. C. A. secretary, Mr. W. P. Viles, has a knife slash in the hand from a Bolshevik whose rifle aim was poor. Viles has been with this regiment for over four years and is revered by the officers and men alike for his sterling qualities and nevertiring energy. No sooner had the transport anchored in the stream here, than Viles was ashore and with the assistance of Mr. Wm. R. Durbin, general secretary of the Navy Y. M. C. A. of Shanghai, he started a program of entertainment for his regiment which kept them busy and happy during their entire stay here.
The first day he arranged for their transportation ashore through the courtesy of the Shanghai Tug and Lighter Co., and the men paraded through the main business section of the city, headed by a platoon of mounted Sikh policemen and the municipal band.
For Christmas Eve, Viles secured the use of the town hall and put on a program which was a treat indeed. First there came a “big feed.” It was a real Christmas feast. The good citizens of Shanghai donated much, but Viles spent a number of thousand taels to see that the men lacked nothing, and every man received a big bag of candy, fruit and nuts from a real Christmas tree at the end of the entertainment.
The U. S. Cruiser South Dakota sent their band ashore and gave the Czechs some of the finest music they have heard since they left home. Their enthusiastic encoring showed that they appreciated the good music. The Czech chorus also rendered a few excellent selections and Frank Šmidt their famous violinist and recitation by Col. Holeček were features of the program.
Few people realize that this 1st regiment of Czechoslovaks is the most famous of all these famous fighters. This regiment started to form in 1914, when the Czechs who were in Russia volunteered for service and later the desertions from the Austrian forces swelled it into a division and then a corps. Among the original volunteers was Lt.-Col. Klecanda, who is in charge of troops returnings home now. Besides holding the Czech military cross, he has the D. S. O., the Croix de Guerre with the palm and the order of the St. Vladimir.