AQP the Bator of the NontH-CHINA Datby News."
Sum,—Below is a notice issued by 'a loca] organization and as it is not marked "private and confident tial," there appears no-reason why it should not be published.
I believe other institutions have sued similar notices except -that -they. were for private circulation only.
The notice is "The committee de the attention of members to the fact that motor car accidents are apt to bring trouble between Chinese and foreigner. They therefore suggest that when in Chinese-controlled territory a chauffeur should be employed who should be instructed to drive with the greatest care and always at a reasonable speed. 1f it is Impossible to employ a chauffeur, mem-dors should exercise every care to avoid even the most trivial accident, Incidents "ave easy" to create but dificult to settle and it always best to be safe rather than sorry!
Now, Sit, there are very foreigners enjoying extraterritorial rights in Shanghai who drive the own cars. Whilst some of these owner-drivers may not be particu larly skillful and afew possibly prone to recklessness, the bulk of them are good, steady drivers, Admittedly, accidents ave liable occur to even the best of drivers. In countries where equitable Inw is administered, however, the average man is not deterred by fear of Accident from driving his own ear.
Theta circulars appear to imply the following:—J. That foreigners subject to extra territorial rights will actual practice not receive adequate" Consular protection outside Settlement limits.
2 That Chinese Police and Courts cannot, be relied upon to deal with foreigners equitable manner.
8 That the circulars must have been ofcially "inspired."
That the Diplomatic Body sires to avoid such incidents a might result, from motor ear accidents until they have Guietly given away our right afore we have had the opportunity to- see how vital such protection is to our security, as instanced in the case of the Provisional Court, The next, step will be that all foreigners in the Settlement. will become subject, to Chinese Courts and we shall then discover that it is "inexpedient" to drive one's ear down to the office.
Tam, of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.