The story of this "squeeze" is 1 long one. Reasons existed before for not giving it publicity outside of club circles, but now that matters have come to a head the full story may be told. Always, Chinese officials, holding the erroneous view which' unfortunately seems. to be shared by most people that racing clubs have unlimited funds, have endeavoured to extort what they are pleased to call "taxes" from the International Recreation Club. There were times when there seemed to be no particular harm in making small doles now and again, in the-hope that posaibly & percentage of it might by mistake be used for public purposes. The demands grew in size and the people making them increased in numbers. Tt was not sufficient to meet, one man's claim and then to count on being free from annoyance for the period covered by the bargain, for there was no guar-ante that he would continue in office, and his successor would make claims equally or more extortionate, Tt says much for the tact of the committee of the I. B.C. and Mr.
Day, the clubia "secretary, that" for' so long they have been able to run their race meetings without interruption. Not many people, probably, were aware that, bad it not been for the Nan-Road affair putting a stop acting at the time, the last day of the spring season at Kiangwan inly would have been season commenced, they again turned their attention to the I. R. C.
Mr. Day and his committee were able to carry on from meeting to meeting, but the present "war" brought added difficulties. An entirely new mob of mercenaries descended on Shanghai, controlled by a complete new set of officials Nominally, the Shanghai district 1s dangerous zone, because it is under martial sw, though, as everyone knows, there is not the slightest danger anywhere near. However, one cannot altogether. defy people who proclaim martial law and when the military demanded their squeeze they had to have it, 'They mide the excuse that no gatherings could be allowed in the martial law area, but one can understand their' purpose. Their Price was $2,000 and the I. R. C. consented. The military on their art aald the meeting could be held ind they would make themselves responsible for the safety of people going to and coming from the races and while they were at the course, and they would see that nothing occurred to prevent everything going as smoothly as at Goodwood.
Enter the Great Unfee'd The first race came off all right, but then a corpulent gentleman introduced himself as No. 3 of the Chapel police, intimated that the police had nothing to do with the military, that the. police had not guaranteed the safety of the race meeting, nor had they consented to a race meeting being held, and nothing on earth would induce them to allow a meeting to be held. Nothing, that is to say, unless Well, poor Chinese officials have to tive.
The committee, Mr. Day and the large No. 3 argued the matter for half-hour and then the emissary said he must go to. Chapel for further instructions. He departed after giving a solemn warning that if any attempt was made to race Whilst he was away his 30 police: men' would stop it by force. Six thousand or more people patiently: waited for over an hour, until No. 3 returned and wanted to engage in more bargaining. Finally someone who knows the Chinese well declared with emphasis, "That man is bluffing. Call' his bluff." The question then was put direct and the emissary was told to give straight answer in one sentence. He would not do so, so the Ste wards ordered the saddling bell to be rung and defied him to stop the racing. The racing proceeded, The Possibilities of Riot One wonders if the Chinese police and military seriously considered the possibilities of the' situation. A race course crowd is not easy rounds at least "6,000" admin reals oe cee at
committe, There were about 20 and they say 300 soldiers, but the latter were litle more than boys, hopelessly undisciplined. Supposing the meeting had been forcibly prevented, could the police and military explain how "they would have dealt with that crowd:
The sympathy of the whole of Shanghai is with the I' R. C. and meeting Saturday, May 80, would be held, Sat chay handed the eaton deputation that went to Nanking to see. the: Governor fttled things. for' the da frestng, et ae rong. "mone everything else, ret donations International Recreation Club's!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.