Tha anti-Japanese agitation, now intensely being carried on in so many parts of China, is especially to be regretted, and 1 cannot but express my hope that the Chinese authorities, both central and Jocal, may take measures best calculated to put a speedy end to this pernicious movement. It would appear to me that the boycott agitation, not having the support of the best elements of China and, not all of the people of the localities affected being in sympathy with it, will die a natural death at no distant date. Should it prove, however, to be the case, as is repeatedly reported, that politicians and even officials are involved in the movement and they cither incite or at least connive at acts of lawlessness against Japanese interests, the whole matter would assume an aspect highly deplorable for China.
It is earnestly to be hoped that the people of China may realize that the nation is at this juncture confronted with a situation bristling with difficulties of very grave nature both internally and -in its relations with other nations, and that that realization may lead to their real efforts resulting in the rehabilitation of a nation so justly proud of its great past.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.