Unhappily the unconfirmed report of the saving of eight of the eighteen men entrapped in the sunken submarine H.MS. Poseidon turns out to be incorrect. Thus the death roll, so far as can be ascertained, may be put down at 20, two of the men rescued having' subsequent ly died. 'The profound grief aroused by this disaster in Great) Britain has found a strong echo here in Shanghai. In a peculiar' degree the British community.
China must regard the lives De-shg men who perished as having laid down on its behalf. In performance of their general duty of Keeping the paths of British commerce on the highways of the oceans safe ind clear, the Poseidon was on service on this China station. There is little wonder then that, in Shanghai, where generous sentiments and vivid pride in nationality are'so much the mark of all communities, thrown together in the comradeship commerce, the British should desire in some special fashion to signalize their appreciation. of the work of the Senior Service with which their lawful occasions in China have for nearly; a century been associated. The letter, which is published els where from a correspondent who signs his initials A.A.B, presses a point of view which' the "North-China Daily News" feels many will desire to endorse in the practical manner of its author. These are difficult times for all, "In Great Britain there is no little distress on account of the same economic conditions which Shanghai is so acutely experiencing. Twelve of the missing men were married and others, ao doubt, have de" pendents for whom their lose ig a grave material blow, apard from its personal significance.
Responding' to the suggestion eloquently made. by A.A.B. the "North-China Daily News® opens a fund for the purpose of conveying to the Naval Authorities as much money as can collected to signify Shanghai's desire that the families and dependents of these brave men shall be assisted in facing the future. Shanghai, to those who know it, is ever cager to open the channels of its abundant charity. Even in times of that a which, for so long, has laid its heavy hand on the life of the community, the ear of Shanghai is always alert to be told where assistance can usefully given. Shanghai does not forget, though others may, that day after day on the seat and up that long river-road through China, the men of the Royal Navy cheerfully endure privations, and face death in the performance of their task of keeping the nation's trade going, The gratitude cannot always find immediate and graphic expression. The sad occasion now so prominently before the public gaze affords an opportunity. which it would be Shanghai'd wish assuredly not to mi However appropriately a nation may secure its servanta from anxiety for the lot of thei dependents, it is certain that when an unexpected disaster like that of Weihaiwei occurs, pension provisions and public or= ganizations cannot fully covet the misfortune inflicted. It is possible that the authorities, int exercising their solicitude for the victims of this bereavement, may find the ordinary rules governing the disposition of funds inadequate to meet special cases which, nevers theless, are fully deserving and demanding sympathetic atten= tion, In such circumstances the ability to draw on funds which are capable of elasticity of allot ment may well give them power to turn despair into grateful Nef. No-one who appreciates what the sacrifice of the Poseis don means would desire to feel that anything, which he or she could do to help the dependents of any of the men who perished, Were not readily forthcoming. In these days it has become the fashion to listen too patiently perhaps to the voices of those who would decry the qualities which, in the past, have gone and now, for all the croaking of the pessimists, still go to dignity service for the Empire, Amid all the spurious diffidence and precious indifference presetted to belittle fundamental faith in the Empire's destiny and mission, there shine clear - and strong a sense of duty and a patriotic spirit of which the men of the Services give fearless proof and vigorous example. This journal takes no small pride. in doing its best to Keo those basic principles of Britisit policy untarnished and serene, Whether it succeeds must be left for others to say; it can at Toast assert that in this matter of marking the community's gratitude for services rendered, it does mot hesitate to salute' the Poseidon's dead as worthy of the tribute of practical care fon mourning. their dear ones who to-day are
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.