AMERICAN FIFE BAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 11

AMERICAN FIFE BAND.

MARINES AT SHANGHAI. HONOUR TO COMPATRIOT. * ' ' v . ; ; SHANGHAI, Nov. 25. The Fourth Begimeot of the United States Marines wer-a presented recently with drums and fifes by th 6 American community in recognition of their services in the defence force that has protected Shanghai. Consequently they will be the first regiment of American Marines with a drum and fife band, which will now be namtd the "Fessonden's Fifes,'" in. honour of the American chairman of the Shanghai International Municipal Council, Mr* Sterling Fessecden, The presentation waa carried out with the assistance of the, fife band of tha British Green Howarda. Regiment, after which the marines, who had been coached by their British confreres for weeks past, marched off playing the first ar.d tauo they at present know.

Mr. Feasanden became famous during the recent troubles. The admiral in charge of the American cruisers was hesitant about landing the .newly-arrived American marines, who were sageriy waiting to join the British troops at the settlement barricades. Mr Fessenden is alleged to have conveyed to the admiral a message which, while hardly suitable for publication, was sufficiently terse and apt to persuade him to land the marines.