j To the Editor of the Norrs-Curxa Dany New:
'Sm,—I am no alarmist. Neither, I hope, am I'a poltroon. Such' being the ease, may Lrefer in your c-luna tu the present exisin We thank you, Mr. Editor, for your temperate, but outspoken leading articles. Neverthele-, is not the time come fur your remarks to receive public corroboration from your fellow-foreizuers and surely it ist Let the feeling of the latter be tested ant that at once?
Our French neighbours have' arranged a public meeting. Why, in the name of common sense, should not the British do the same? If anybody asks, Cui bone? I would reply First: confidence would be given to the ladies and children of the Settlement. It is no discredit at all to then' that they should feel uneasy. The almost daily stories of vivlenco may well make them timid, Hence I cannot doubt that a few straight and simple statements as preparations for public safety would afford satisfaction, Secondly, at such a meeting it could be ascertained whether the somewhat my-tical ud certainly mysterious Home Guard is to be quickened into life and vigour. Asa member of it, I should much ww who is in command of the districts, for some whose names on paper are now away from Shanghai. It would be satisfactory also to learn whether the Rritish Consulate continues to be the place of refuge for this district? Major Morrison seemed recently to indicate the Central Police Station as the asylum. We want light on this. Again: are the H. G. merely special constables or are they also adjuncts to our admirable Volunteer Army?
Thirdly: it has been suggested that from amecting of the residents telegrams should be sent to Lord Salisbury or other of our rulers and also to The Times newspaper. The good folk at home ought not. to be left in the dark as to the critical position of affairs in Shanghai and elsewhere, Tam, de.
T. R. Srevexsox, 12th June.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.