The Volunteers and members of the Protestionary Force, are under the command. of self-styled "Commanders," men. who hold. other posts but. draw big salaries. They do not go out into the different villages for patrol duty, or to "protect" the residents, nor are they to be seen on duty at night. Pheir duty is essentially day duty and they refuse to work at night. They arrest people without authjority and this is often done, especially when there it a chance to] squeeze the poor victims, and they take these to their headquarters in Chapei where a small court has been established, this being under the control of the Judicial Department. People are illegally tried, instead of being handed over to the police or to the proper law courts, They have their own laws and the Chinese Criminal Code is discard-its entirety.
The time has now come for the Chinese community to take this matter up and to give vent to their grievances frankly and fearlessly, Protest Against Reduction of Pay?
Considerable indignation exists in Chinese circles as a result of the announcement that the Chinese autenties have decided to reduce the Pay of the members of the Shanghai and Woosung Police Force, Local organizations have wired to Mr. Cheng Chien, the Civil Governor of Kiangsu, vigorously protesting against the suggestion and Fequesting him to reconsider his decision. "They also have sent a lengthy letter to Chinese' police force, venues to work hard on his men's behalf ud to continue his efforts until the provincial Commissioner of Finance has stopped appropriation the money for other purposes it properly. They say that of paying hundreds of that sollars for useless offic of whom hold concurrent posts and draw double pay), the money should be devoted for the payment of these men who work hard day and night and whose pay is so small.
During the local wats, the writers say, the police remained neutral for the' good of the people.and they efficiently maintained peace order. The cost of living is so high in Shanghai that instead of having their pay cut, it should be increased just as the wages of others are ised. The salary of the Chinese force, they continue, is much less than the Settlement gives, but they are contented to bear this hard life simply because they know that it is their duty to maintain peace and order and protect the local people. This is a matter of importance, they contend, and it should be taken up immediately and vigorously.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.