To, the Editor of the 'wNontH-CHINA DAILY New:
Sin—The "North-China Daily News" carries the report of the Nanking Authorities on the dis appearance of Mr. Thorburn and is exactly th report that all who know something of China fully expected "It was certain that once Nanking refused permission for a member of the British Embassy and/or Con ular Body to accompany the Chinese appointed by Nanking to make these enquiries that there would be no real attempt to elucidate the copmntier so that Mr. Thosburn could produced alive—or that tae fects concerning "his dier neo and death would he Minister, through Mr. agreeing' that it should be a purely Chinese enquiry. The moment that Point was conceded the cards were stacked against really impartial enquiry that would elicit the true facts of the deplorable case.
te still further would appear that our Authorities are ready to accept at its face value anything that Nanking chooses to present to them fas the facts of the case.
In other words Downing Street has more or less given, shall we say, that ion to th> British Minister here as the policy of the Home Government toward all matters affecting its Nationals in China. What has happened to Mr. Thorburn is liable to happen to any of us who dare to show ourselves outside the comparative safety of the Settlements.
"To all who understand something of these matters it appeared from the very outset that the British Authorities did not intend to, bestir themselves overmuch in this matter and when the outery became tne great to be ignored instead of the British Minister himself going. to Nanking and conducting the inquiry.
'a Mr. Aveling is sent, amd the Chinese, ever the masters of the world in the art of diplomacy, de-Jduced from that fact the relative importance attached to the matter by. the British Government and have acted accordingly. Tt is the old story of Hantow 1026/1 over again.
With Mr. A. P. Nazer's suggestion the writer is in fullest sympathy and further would strongly suggest that as many as possible will not only sign but send fullest possible details to their local papers jin the cities, towns and districts that they come from. The more ity that can be secured the hood have we of securing something more than a lukewarm interest from the Downing Street Big Wigs.
'Wurther, every one who is in rouen any' Member of Parliament -|should send these details and urge them to use their strongest influence toipres the matier to " more sai factory inguiry.
There is another method that should be used." The China Assoc tion and all other kindred Societies should be absolutely inundated with letters from Shanghai residents who are members of, them demanding that they bestir themselves to, some }good purpose in the deplorable bu ness "and. insist stronger measures be promptly taken to. demand. the production of Mr. Thor urn as it fs evident he is still alive {from the letter in your paper last week from an American resident in [China for ity years. who states that Mr, Thorburn was seen being taken through the streets of Soo: chow to a place on the adjacent hills. No wender the Mission sent from Nanking failed to find him in fany'of the prisons there. I would still further suggest that every one who can possibly do so—and who would not at this serious juncture in the' security of! all foreigners, let alone British subjects, in. China—should Write the Par Eastern 'Sec tion of the. Federation, of Brit Industries, 21 'Tothill 'St, Londo SW. who ever have a' watchful jove on all matters pertaining. to British interests in China and urge them to use their great and powe ful Influence in bringing pressure to bear on the Government.
it the British residents of Shanghai allow Nanking to get away with their denial of any knowledge what-jover of Mr. Thorburn then they may just as well resign themselves the inevitable and. that. means that in fature our Government wil not cancer itself unduly with, the safety of any of its eltizons in China find all that that connotes.
King "has been insistent. that would folly protect all foreigners Throughout China if she is given the abolitions of Extrality "and, therefore, this is as you, Sir, have the "Acid Test" and China has fed and failed completely ins case right at our very door.
englishmen, aye and English-women, bestir yourselves out of your usual apathy and make your Voices heard to some effect in. the fears of our Government, It is now never,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.