A large number of letters have been received from Chinese readers Jon the subject of the recent incidents in Hongkew which seek to make all sorts of capital out of the matter, Jand to draw parallels between. what is happening in that district and such occurrences as the May 30, 1925, affair. 'They do so with the' very: apparent object of discrediting the Horeign administration of the International Settlement. They would be, perhaps, a little fairer if they. also drew into the picture instances where Barge numbers of their own race have been shot down by their own authorlties, though, perhaps, that is not quite js0 convenient. It is true, however, that a very straight conflict is being raised in the Hongkew District concerning the question as to who is to responsible for the maintenance of the peace in that area. It cannot be believed that the Japanese authorities fare so heedless of their responsibillties towards the International Settlement as to countenance for long the continuance of disorders and" the JMagrant defiance of authority of which Jsome of their nationals have un-Jdoubtedly been guilty. Indeed there evidence that they are taking steps {to deal adequately with some of those Jconcerned in stirring up trouble. The Jattitude of the Municipal authorities in the matter is not quite so. plain. Indeed it is wrapped in an impenetreble mystery. So far as they are [concerned it is perhaps desirable that an inquiry should be held, and that lame. and if necessary discipline should be awarded if and where necessary. With regard to" the incident of Sunday night not too much importance is to be attached to it, though it is suggested that in view of the state of tension undoubtedly prevailing in Hongkew at the moment everyone waild do well to exercise ithe greatest possible restraint lest something more serious occurs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.