To the Kditor of the "Nont-Cmxa Darty News."
$m,—Several influential Chinese friends have asked me to give publicity to their sentiments in connection with the Vol-untoer force in Shanghai, whose evolutions' they watch with the keenest interest and admiration, They suggest that the Municipal Council would do well to call for a Company of Volunteers from the better class of Chinese residents in the Foreign Settlement. They say that all such residents are, to a man, strongly in favour of reserving peace and order, while they all detest the present iniquitous Government in general, and its recent display of monstrous barbarity in particular. They are entirely in sympathy with the Foreign Powers, and are as anxious as we are for commercial expansion and enterprise, Phey would be willing to wear a distinetive uniform, learn thoroughly the military drill, and submit cheerfully to all the regulations of the Shanghai Volunteers, They would engage to be perfectly loyal to the Municipal Council in all respects, whatever might happen. So far from being an expense to the Municipality, they would purchase thir own uniforms and, if necessary, their own arms and ammunition also.
Although the profession of a soldier is considered degrading all over China, they would feel, as Volunteers, that they were as much independent gentlemen us our Volunteers of other nationalities, whom they would try to emulate in every respect, When once such " Company was started with a few influential merchants and other residents, there would be no Inck of recruits.
Many Chinese now living in the Settlement have learned the drill at the Naval and Military Colleges at Nanking, Tientsi and other places, and are at lerist sufficiently acquainted with the English language to be able to understand and to give all the words of command, without further teaching.
It is suggested that the formation of such company should be attempted at once, even if only by way of experiment. It} would tend greatly to promote a good feeling mong our Chinese residents, leading them to feel that foreigners trust and respect them, and have none but the best intentions towards them. Business would then begin (o revise, seares would stop, and the evils ts or rebellions in the vicinity of Shanghai would be averted, Thinking there is a certain amount of reason in these views of my Chinese friends, public eye and to promise it material Igive them to you for what they-are worth. support. Tam, ete., 6th July.
2.—Those wishing to join must procure a letter from their employer (this necessary precaution is for the confidence of the Municipal Council that they are arming men who will not turn their weapons against the foreigners in time of need), 3.—The corps will be under foreign officers and on the same basis asthe Bhanghai Volunteer Corps.
Tus ructions have been published for the foreigners as to where they may bring their families for protection, but there seems to be no protection for the Chinese women and children. There are, no doubt, three or four thousand Chinese clerks under employment of foreigners, and if they he made to understand that their j ing the corps is for their own safety and protection, no doubt most of them will join. and with a force of three or four thousand Shanghai coald be properly garrisoned and nude a place of safety for all those who live in it.
Should the Council think it too expensive to adopt such a scheme it is my opinion that the greater class of wealthy Chinese, who have their property in the Conces: sions, will contribute a large sum for the support of such n corp: Tam, ete., A Cutsese.
6th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.