The Achievement of the Special Constables during the Late Crisis: Many-sided Activities of a Unique Force If ever successive crises in Shanghai since Taiping days are thought worthy of a military history, one of its most interesting chapters. will be that dealing with the Settlement's "first Hine of defence" during the recent state of emergency. One does not usually associate policemen with a "thin red line." But ike many other anomalies about the Model Settlement, this fact is not sufficiently realized.
Tt is Shanghai's professional po-iceman backed up by a well trained volunteer reserve of residents who constitute its chief bulwark in times of trouble. The functions of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps are entirely separate, When an outbreak occurs the police must inevitably be the first to cope with the forces of disorder; if the possibility of a serious upheaval is realized they at once command the services of @ well-trained police reserve.
Perhaps they have been unhappily christened. No one, save in orders, fever refers to Shanghai's volunteer policemen by any other name than Specials," that by which such forces are popularly known in England and America. Without detracting from the valuable services rendered to the community by the Volunteers, it is time that the public knew something of the activities of the 5 May 30, For two years pre-Viously at least twice per month they had been assisting the regular police in opium raids and other useful work.
It is generally known that the Louza and Sinza Specials and any that were able to get on to the [scene in time, took part in all the demonstrations of mod violence and shootings that occurred subsequent te May 30. Two days later on the ith the regular police inspector MacGillivray, they quelled a riot at Chekiang-Nanking Roads cornery: when shots were fired fon the fire-engine: The next day owing to the determined attack made occurred the Thibet, Road affair.
Here, save for a passing Volunteer patrol, they were the first to appear, two narrowly escaping from the assassin's bullets. By ime, a3 all. who took an active part in defence work during these early days of June, will well remember, the situation in Shanghai was electrical. It was necessary to act at once. The whole of Louza division made an active search of the Old and New Worlds. "Clean them out," was the order. Far ints the night On May 30 the force numbered some 200 all ranks. Their unspar~ ing and enthusiastic energy inspired another 100 residents to join up and these have now been added to the permanent strength, The First Shops If the force only numbered 200 they can be proud of the fact of having taken a leading part in p serving order from the firing was heard in Nanking Road. Ju the heat of the encounter between the Louza police and the mob several specials who had been playing cricket on the Recreation Ground Toft the game to report for duty. An hour after quiet had been restored practically the strength of a whole division reported at variow tations for duty. They were told to go home and get into the wai form which they subsequently con: tinuously wore for 10 week:
(On the Saturday evening the general mobilization order was issued to every special constable Some, including one of the senior Head Consiobles, were at Henli Regatta. They wore summoned by wireless. Not engaged in the usual instruc tive Saturday night recreations Shanghai, still they happened to among the first to join the ranks.
If they are envied by their com des on more prosaic but equally valuable duties elsewhere, those who flocked to Louza are certainly to be complimented. As can be readily realized, there was more to be done this district than in others. Un-
RG, Asst. Comte
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.