Mr. G,-A. Bena's Proposal Discussed at a Preli mary, Meeting:
No Definite Scheme Submitted: The Vision of Greater Shanghai Mr, G. A. Bena's suggestion that 'a great World's Exhibition be held in Shanghai was discussed at a pre-Timinary' meeting, held on Thursday in the rooms of the Shanghai Generfal Chamber. of Commerce, "Nor China Daily News" building. There was an attendance of about 50, and among those present were representatives of the "British, American, I Russian, German, and' Japan ese Chambers of "Commerce, the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, the China Association, Pan-Pacific Association, and. vai usinoss houses. The representative Chamber of Com-wrote expressing sympathy with the also the Italian General, Mr. Herbert Chat-
Fey was voted to the chair.
In presenting his idea to the meet-said: and Gentlen een called, not to discuss a definite plan for a World E: eon, but to purpose of appointing a Commitee, represent ing the different interests of this city, the duty of which would be to prepare a final technical and financial project.
Tt has been suggested that we should have come before you with concrete proposals for discussion, but we have decided to come rather with the suggestion for the undertaking. The compilation of such a great project cannot be the worl: of a few men, but the collaboration of all parties interested.
It is primarily' the great moral benefit, issuing from a disinterested and. cordial collubornti foreigners and Chinese, t ed us to make the suggestion, besides the conviction that ecution of this great project will mark the end of all misundersta ing and jealousies amongst the diffe alities here and must be the vision that should guide us through the difficult, but not im-Dosalble, tank of mmnterializing our scheme.
We have not called you here in onder to ask for your financial support, but for your moral support, for your advice and for your tree collaboration with the work of the Committee that you are going to appoint.
'A broad vision of to-duy's econom-situation will clearly show us what an immense role China will play in the future economic readjustment of the world, when mutual understanding and loyal col-Inboration will permit the development of the enormous resource of this great country,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.