To the Editor of the "Norra-Cuina Datty News."
Sir,—Your initial "three sticks" in to-day's. column of "Notes Comments" is reminiscent of the pronunciamento of the Nine Tailors of Tooley Street.
Tht "N.-C.D.N." admittedly has a large and diverse following, but I have yet to learn that it has been authorized, by plebiscite or other means, to voice the "'sentiments of the whole British community in China.
During the period while a case is sub judice, T have always understood that it is customary for reputable journalists to refrain from comment or criticism which might tend to prejudice the course of @ trial, or bias the opinion of potential jurors. This, however, probably is one of these things which are so different in China?
To the ordinary British subject, unbiassed by racial antipathy or, the promptings of "big business," the affaire Shaw, considered in the light of the official British and Japanese reports, would seen to be simplicity itself.
He "has been arrested (not "kidnapped,") while upon Japanese soil where, he having no extraterritorial rights, his case must foliowt the customary Japanese procedure, as would follow were Mr, Shaw a Japanese subject. That the Japanese Code permits his—detention, _*ncommunicado, should the authorities deem it expedient, until such time as the case is\ prepared for trial (the period of such detention is regulated by the Code), is Mr. Shaw's misfortune.
That other aliens, alleged offenders against Japanese Law, might be similarly arrested and' a precedent established unless strong protest is made in the case of the affaire Shaw, is a moot point; the remedy, however, seems obvious. Avoid dabbling in Japanese internal politics or if involved in "liberating the oppressed," keep out of Japanese territory.
Mr. Shaw, whatever his anti-Japanese activities may or may not have been, remained perfectly secure while he kept off Japanese soil, but his apparent contempt of the possible consequence of 2 trip into. hostile territory seems to have brought about its natural result. In conclusion, we British subjects, following the lead of our
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.