To the Editor of the "Nonra-Crtwa Darty News."
'S8rz,—It would seem that the best interests of the allied Settlements here would demand @ short, sharp protest against the proposed invasion of Shanghai by the refugees from Port Arthur. If the atements furnished to the Press recently to the effect that they will be coming here by the thousands, are correct, it would be almost impossible to magnify the danger and discomfort that must ensue here. Port Arthur is notoriously fall of scurvy, dysentery and small-pox, to say nothing of typhoid, and thethrowing down of a mass of disease of this character in the midst of our Settlement, in the present condition of public health, is only inviting disaster.
Tam not prepared to ssy who should make this protest or whose duty it is to take the step, but the delay of invoking j 4 ratepayers' meeting would-be so great as to make it ineffective. It may be that the Consular Body have the power, and it may be that only an appeal can lie to the Russian and Japanese authorities, Tt seems beyond question that the repatriation of these refugees by way of neutral territory is an abuse of the privilege of extraterritoriality that would Jnot be permitted by any other country, and representations should be: made to Japan and the Russian authorities here in an unmistakable tone, wich would preclude the possibility of bringing these people here. If it is impossible to send them directly from Port Arthur to Odessa, their reconcentration should be effected on Japanese territory, where they could cared for until they are sent home. This should be true without reference to the character of the refugees, and our recent experiences with Russians of that order in this port has not been reassuring, or of " character to invite any repetition of it.
Trusting that this protest may be joined by others to make it effective, Tam, etc.
10th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.