Ath January, 'THE annual report of the Committee of the Shanghai Branch of the China Association has just been issued " for private circulation," and we are thus precluded from any detailed criticism of its contents, but we may be permitted to remark that it is a somewhat meagre production. The fact is that since the conclusion of the Tresty of Shanghai, and the absorption of public interest in the Manchurian question, very little attention has been given to the working of the China Association. Sinc+ the retirement of Mr. Gundry from the secretaryship of the Association at home, its position as the fighting representative of British interests in hina has been assumed by the China League; and the members of the China Association who still take a living interest in its objec's, and who have been disheartened by the want of effective activity that it has lately displayed, have come to the conclusion that the best course open to it isan amalgamation with the China League. We understand that the Committee of the Shanghai Branch will accordingly propose the following resolution at the general inee'ing of members t+ be held to-morrow hat with a view to the move efficient protection of British interests in the Far East a d to the promotion of the declared objects the China Association this meeting considers it advisable that steps be taken towards amalgamation at the earliest possiiile date with the Society known as the 'China League' whereof the objects id -ntical with those of the ciation. If, however, this course b- fo.nd for good reasons impracti om expedient at pr-sent, then and in any case this meeting cons ders it essential to the satisfactory continuance of the Assoviation's work that it be hereafter conducted on broader and more independent lines and that to this end close be established and maintained by the General Comm-tree with the Chambers of Commerce in Great Britain and with such public bodies and individuals as are generally identified with British interests in the Far East. Finally, that the education of public opinion in regard to those interests through the medium of the Press appears to be a measure calculated to promote the aims of this Association."
There is, it is known, opposition at home to the proposed amalgamation, and it is therefore very desirable that this resolution should go home with
sentative meeting behind it. It is obvithe influence ofa large and fully repre: ously, therefore, desirable that every member here of the Association who possibly can should attend to-morrow, and back up the resolution by his vote.. It is a critical moment in the life of the China Branch, and the Committee are justified in asking for the support of every member of the Jassociation. It ie just when our attention is distracted by a conflict such as that which seems imminent that some institution like the Chinese Association or the Chinese League can do most good by keeping eyes open to any endeavour to infringe or restrict our treaty rights.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.