To the Editor of the "Nownt Cutna Datu News"
Sm—In your editorial of November 16 discussing the future status of Shanghai you make the suggestion that Shanghailanders: should lose no time in so preparing the ground that when the time comes, which it must In the not too distant future, for readjustment of this city's "status, they will be able to make a valid contribution to this important matter. You express the opinion that public discussion would not effective, but that the best method of approaching this problem would be for men of goodwill and standing in their respective communities inform ally to encourage attention to it.
In other words, you give voice to what many have been thinking for some time past, namely, that the peo-pile of this cosmopolitan city, whose Interests are all centred here should without delay formulate some policy which shall have for its object the safeguarding of those interests and should insist upon that policy being taken into consideration by those upon whom will devolve the task of determining the future status of Shang-
'White it is obvious that in a matter of such vital Importance to all residents in Shanghai, regardless of rationality, the actual work evolving & practical plan for safeguarding this city's' future und eliminating as far as humanly possible a recurrence of the catas-trophies of 1932 and 1937 must be placed inthe hands of a compara-lively small body of men who are leaders in, and have the confidence of, the groups to which they belong, itis equally certain that they must have behind them the full support of the members of those stoups, and how this is to be accorded me {elligentiy and with enthusiasm without public discussion of "the problem {s not so clear. If those. who are prepared to undertake the tusk of studying the problem in all His bearings and of working out a practical solution are to be given a chance of success they will not only have to be sure of the support of the whole community, but they will also ave to be fully cognizant of the community's views and wishes. would be beyond the bounds of aeticality in a community as large that of Shanghai for these to be obtained through personal contact.
"Under present conditions a general public meeting seems inadvisable, while a discussion in the local press of the issue would no doubt prove Of little value, since it would only Yield the opinions of the compara lively few who are able or willing fo. express themselves in writing What appeared in such correspond= cence could not be taken as a genuine expression of public opinion, "I one might offer a practical suggestion, it would be to the effect that the vari-Gus national, commercial, social and other institutions in Shanghai should soon as possible hold meetings of all their members for a discussion fof the future status of Shanghai and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.