Exhortations to~Chinese to' Persist in Refusal to Pay the \Bwo Per. Gent.
Suit for Injunction Against Council Aller Electricity Supply is Stopped Moay, July 25. representatives on both sides should meet to discuss 'a way out of this pear-on Sunday in the Chinese new: very perplexing situation, he said. papers urging the Chinese residents Chinese and foreign leaders are of the Settlement to refuse to pay still hoping to effect x comprontise on the increase in the Municipal rates the question of increased rates, and announcing that a settlement which has led to renewed agitation had been reached between the Chi-Jagainst the Shanghai Mumicipal nese and the French Municipal au-Council. The Chinese Ratepayers' thorities regarding the increase in Association has utilized the increas Jthe rates in the French Concession. fed rates to raise. anew the question There were also numerous letters in of representation on the Council. the police in-picketing those shops the papers telling of the action They have instructed Chinese rat: payers through the Chinese Genera Jwhich refused to pay the increase.
Chamber of Commerce, the street The advertisement opposing the unions and kindred organizations to increase urged all shop keepere to refuse to pay the increased rates severe to the bitter end in hold-until the Council has agreed to [ing out against the authorities. It their demands with regard to readvised those shops which were presentation, picketed by the police to hold out The Council has already agreed and to remain quiet until a sati to three' Chinese members of the factory settlement was made,. If Council, but-the Ratepayers' Asso-[further announced that those shops jciution ' has refused to "elect ' the which -were forced to suspend busiithree- men and the Chinesoofficials ness should bring damage suits have not appointed them. In the against the Shanghai Municipal early' discussions of the question" 'Council and that in the meantime [tween the Council and the Ohi they would get indemnification from 'Rutepayers' Associntion, the repre-public fund raised for that pur-[sentatives of the Inter demanded }what, was tantamount to a majority pose.
Regarding the settlement with of the Coungil and to coutel of the French authorities the advertise finances, potice and other municipal ment stated that the Chinese mem-agencies. All discussions -proved bers of the French' Municipat Coun futile, asthe Chinese representatives would not. deviate from their excil and the advisory committee of that body had been selected by hi cessive der because they, ex: lot by the ratepayers of the Con-Feeted that as goon as the Council cession and that these had met and attempted to collect the increased '4 gonoral strike would follow agreed that in addition to the 12 per cent. -Municipal tax a special end the Council would be forced to two per cent, tax should be collect capitulate to them. As a matter ix months, between July and fact, there were considerable polities et, All ratepayers were noti-the whole matter, certain ele-fied to pay the tax as arranged, ments of Chinese hoping to become important factors in the current To Hold out to Bitter End political situation because of "this fight.
In the meantime numerous meet-"When all negotiations' failed, *the ings are-being held by the various Council determined to collect "the street unions, the Chamber of Gom-/newrrates according to schedule, merce, and various public. organiza-interesting to note "that Dr."G, tions, at which the -increased taxes Wang, chairman of the Chinese Ratepayer's Association, left Shang. Sit tas ath wey hai for Nanking and Chengchow: at about the time that the Council be-kan collecting the new rates, 'A. large number of Chinese rate-Sec et of sere Jassessment and collection. without Certain shops, payors "have paid the new rates
banks, hotels and particularly sauce jrieps'have declined to pay with the rest that the police have closed from many of the shops which ti the doors, withdrawn Teenoes, rie tu as guards and revolver permits, Tu Exe ease of banks, the Gounell's.at-been subjected and announcing that titude has been that it is impos. sible for them to demand extra: pro-cee Te "at tection, beyond ordinary police pro-wea Hele tao tection, when they refuse to pay their rates. These banks, there-free legal advice offered by the have forfeited special' guards, the tight to keep arms on tho-prem'ses and other extraordinary pri-Msahtcom ae ait soco authorities by their action are caus-peri ar dea lations with the Chinese. Several Cases in British Court ines "ie Ais, Soa ten by the shop keepers to Mr.. Quo Beri Sane ye Tech lad rece Be tet Soul ey acer seance a pre even Affairs, Mr. Quo Tai-chi, who said fait te Sua one ce fra a ete Cric fof the tax and compelling shop-Ser of SMa, "Re Certain test cases are to come before the Courts with regard: to the rates. This morning, Sineere Wing On's, Loth British eomnar before the British Court to answer for not heving paid their rates, On August U1, the Chekiang Industrial Banke is to. appear. before the Provisional Court for the same offence. Some Cestese suggest that the Council should withhold further collections until the test case-in the Provisional Court has -been decided, but the agreement between the Chinese thorities and the Consular "Body with regard to the Provisiorat Court does not give that court the Fight to determine the legality-of Jo Municipal regulation; it is required to enforce those regulations by judicial action. The Chekiang In-Gustrial Bank ease is, therefore, not rightly speaking a test case, except that it will test whether the Court will abide by the agreement which brought it into existence, It is understood that the Councit idoes not waver from the principle which has already been established, that Chinese should have represen." tation, -although there is divided opinion-among foreigners as to ho
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.