Aug. 21.
A valuable constructive suggestion was made by Dr. Cecil 'Robertson in yesterday's "North-China Daily News" for' the provision of an effective measure of relief to the sufferers from the floods in the Yangtze Velley. Dr. Robertson very lucidly ex: plained the genesis of his pro-Posal. He was, in effect, con-vineed that the magnitude of! the disaster so appeals foreigners in Shanghai that they. feel that even the most generous subscriptions of funds must, to a large extent, appear to be incommensurate with the catastrophe. He therefore comet forward with a concrete. proposal which lends. itself, in the first place, to concentrated endeavour, and in the second to distinctive - and satisfactory operation. In brief, the idea is that a vessel should be chartered and equipped as a floating hospital. Medical stores and appropriate staff would be required, but there seems to be Ro rosen why this should not be provided without any great difficulty, "Moreover, adoption of this idea would have the advantage of in no way interfering with the developments of the Relief Fund. It could, in deed, be a useful supplement to the work of the organisers of that fund. There is a feeling! among foreigners that such efforts as they may be prepared to make towards the assistance of the sufferers from floods should be clearly defined and in no way in danger of being submerged in a general effort on the scale which the demands of thi situation must render inevitabl There are two practical ways in which this scheme could be launched. A limited number of well-disposed people might get together and subscribe the necessary money to charter such 4 ship. Alternatively, Dr. Robert. earmark some special vessel for this purpose is worth taking into account, Having acquired a suitable ship, the -promoters of the scheme would have very little difficulty in obtaining Volunteers for the medical staff required, and the necessary equipment. It has been pointed out in these columns that the effect of the floods in Hankow and elsewhere will be undoubtedly to expose the inhabitants of the afflicted areas to grave dangers from discase. Moreover, the actual medical facilities available in Hankow, have been completely—dislocated by the floods and the offs must be working under enormous difficulties in attempting to cope with the heavy. demands now made on them. It believed that the Shanghai Municipal Council would be Prepared to place at the disposal of such a hospital chip, suitable terms, valuable equipment and stores in their medical reserve, It seems that this proposal is one on which all might combine without any reservation or hes-station. The despatch of such a ship might well be taken in hand, for example, by the British community. The British Women's Association is at present handicapped by the fact that this is a time in which large numbers of its members are out of Shanghai. The Acting President of the Association however has intimated that the past traditions of that organisation would be readily invoked to help m the provision of medical equipment and generally to give the scheme active support. This is a time when foreigners themselves are by no means well-placed for expenditure of large urns of money. There is all the more reason, therefore, to commend this' scheme. " It demands more in the shape of good-will and organisation than the actual collection of funds, The work which is being put in in collecting money for the Hankow Relief Fund would not be" affected. As has been Suggested, there are resources which could readily bring this hospital ship into being with the minimum amount of expenditure. Not the least important aspect of Dr. Robertson's proposal lies in his insistence on the need for supplying water to the afflicted trea, and a necessary comple-Pent to the hospital ship would the provision of a water barge. Here the cooperation of the British Naval authorities may be taken for granted. As Dr. Robertson pointed out, the well water in the flood area will not be available for months, He Aiffidently concluded with the observation that his achenie might be too ambitious. Knowing, however, the generous proclivities of Shanghai, it may be safely said that if the scheme is in any way feasible, az it seems on the face of it' to be, there will be plenty of support for it. Such support can be legitimately called for among even those who ate disinclined have free play owing to uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of measures proposed, Here is a simple and direct means of rendering first aid to the distressed, It can be done, and Shanghai is in a peculiarly favourable position to get it done, It is pleasant to think that uncontroversial and practical a proposal has eftierged from the discussion which Relief Fund during has raged round the Hankow the last week,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.