(Continue from page 284.) accordingly. The Force is entitled to command the confidence of the Public on the strength of the Commissioner's assertion that the standard of discipline is satisfactory and the general bearing and conduct of members of all Branches of the Force were excelent.
That restrained comment is not made by the Commissioner without reason. It amply confirms the view that the officers under him are concerned to see that the Force preserves the chief requisites of 00d discipline—considerate treatment of the public and a self-respecting moderation in the use of physical force.
The report's analysis of the various forms of crime speaks for itself in the admirable summary supplied by the Council. Of one point Shanghai, as a self-applauding "good boy." might take serious notice. Of 21,486 persons sent for trial, no less than 11,455 were caught red-handed in offences against the gambling and antinarcotic laws. This naturally has produced a high percentage of con~ victions—the figure being 69.37 per cent. of the 21,488 sent for trial. Pertinent to this class of offence is. the large proportion of the propferty loss due to embezzlement, actually 59.59 per cent. of the total. Tt is understood that over 400 eases of embezzlement were reported during the year—about 20 per cent. of the "serious offences against property." This is an unpleasantly high figure. Taken in conjunction with the prevalence of gambling, it should give food for thought. It is to be feared that the community as a whole is inclined to treat the temptations of gambling far too lightly. Those whose task it is, not to police the public, but to minister to distress will assuredly all agree that a potent cause of misery and suffering here is to be found in the facilities so lavishly given for indulging the gambling habit, It is a commonplace of the crime of embezzlement or breach of trust that, ju nine cases out of ten, it has its root in the vicissitudes' of the gambler's pursuit. The theory that a man or woman cannot be protected against folly may be carried too far. It is true that, by ability to resist temptation, character is formed and strengthened. It is also true tat the penalization of the strong for the benefit of the weak should not be fanatically or too austerely pressed. Shanghai, however, will do well to ask itself whether the leaders of the community—social, political or religious—are courageous enough, either in setting an example, or in expounding precepts to assist their weaker fellow-citizens. How many National Societies—to bring the issue into foreign perspective—have to assist the cause of charity without feeling, many times, that, had they been able more successfully to dis~ courge gambling, their own funds would not be subject to the drain now placed upon them in these depressing times? 'This consider tion is urged with all diidence and with no sense of repudiating responsibility' for the community's shortcomings, It clearly arises from an intelligent study of the Report placed by the Commissioner of Police in the Council's hands,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.