Some misconception exists in the minds of our Chinese friends and perhaps in those of foreigners as well as to the object of the Council's Emergency Camp constructed at Pingliang Road. It appears have been assumed by some that ie is intended to prohibit pr enterprise in arranging for accommodation of the numerous fugees who have flocked into the Settlement for protection, No interference whatever is intended private effort and indeed, the Council does not propose in any. way to deal with those visitors to a the Settlement who during the past few weeks have arrived here considerable numbers and have been absorbed in the mass of the native population. We understand that the Chinese Philanthropic Societies are doing excellent work this direction while they possess resources, which the Council does not, in the matter of arranging among themselves for various empty go-downs, idle mills and other industrial buildings to be used temporarily for the purpose of commodating refugees. On the other hand, the authorities of the foreign Settlement have no such resources and do not intend to provide them; since the refugee question is primarily a matter ich concerns the various native lids and societies themselves.
A word therefore, as to the existence of the Councils' Emergency Camp. It is intended to be for emergency only, as if the Settlement is closely' beset, the boundaries will necessarily' have to be closed and the, streets cleared of any refugees who may by that time have gained entrance. As these cannot be left in the streets, and there may be no time to absorb them, it is intended that they shall temporarily be placed in the Emergency Camp until other arrange ments can be made for them. This Camp-is limited in its accomodation, is hoped that it will not be necessary to make use of lat all should, however, the -necessi we' there if wanted, connexion a word seems requisite of caution to the various charitable societies who have been engaged in inducing farmers and others to leave their homes to take refuge in the Settlement, It should be remembered that the policy the Settlement in the matter of admitting refugees, must be governed largely by their number and the larger the number, the more difficult the problem of de ing them. There ligation to admit refus except upon the general grounds of humanity, and, should such persons flock to the Settlement in overwhelming numbers, it might necessary, for the purpose of self protection, to close the boundaries and refuse further admittance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.