There is still ground.for hoping that by some adroit adjustment of their respective views, the Chinese and Japanese Governments will be able to come to-an agreement which: averts the peril of a major conflict. Both sides are taking steps to prepare for: the worst. The Japanese evacuation of Hankow is not to be regarded entirely in that light It has been accomplished with admirable dignity and with evident ce-operation from the local Chinese authorities. Although, obviously, it must put a large number of Japanese citizens to inconvenience and distress which it would have been hoped that they could be spared, it may be inspired by a desire to ease the situation rather than to aggravate it. The Japanese authorities, it is true, are relieved of arr obligation which might prove burdensome in the event of hostilities. They may, however, also be given credit for a drastic action which reduces to a minimum in Hankow the danger of any untoward happening prejudicial to the search for a peaceful solution of the main issues elsewhere. Here in Shanghai they are largely covered by the international status of this city, and, in addition, they have established. with the Chinese authorities a good contact to which. they have made valuable contribution by adopting measures calculated to promote restraint and maintain satisfactory relationships. Responsible Chinese, headed by the new Mayor, have shown their sense of the wisdom of a mutual forbearance, Other communities will assuredly. desire to assist in this essential task and to do all that lies in their power to encourage the preservation of an' atmosphere appropriate to Shanghai's specially delicate position. The chief duty of every Shanghailander at this critical time is to remember that his or her civic status is for the nonce of major importance. National feelings cannot be dragooned or suppressed but they should be directed into such channels as are compatible with the basic internationality of this important city.
\Shanghai can do much to facilitate a peaceful\ settlement.. It cannot—ahd should not—do a eae to precipitate bellicose sentiments on either. The chief responsibility for determining the unfortunate differences which have arisen between China and Japan rests on the shoulders of the Central Government at Nanking and the Japanese Government at Tokyo. Shanghailanders have a right to form and express their opinions thereon always remembering the limitations of their position and the international polity in which they live. The French Concession is under French, the International Settlement under International, and the City Government of Shanghai under Chinese control. The neutrality of the Concession requires no elaboration. The International character of the Settlement involves elements of Japanese and Chinese direction which has to preserve with the other national elements a corporate neutrality, using that term in the non-technical sense. The position of the Chinese municipality is not much different, for the agreement of May 1932 which brought to an end the Sino-Japanese hostilities of that year imposed on the Chinese authorities certain obligations which they are understood to have recognized,- for keeping the area round Shanghai free of military commitments. It is important, then, without entering into abstruse questions of international law, to remember that Shanghai as a whole is international in its composition and should be sedulously preserved: from direct participation in such military activities as may, unhappily, accrue, from the present crisis in the event of the efforts of the peacemakers proving unsuccessful. Chinese will the more readily appreciate that point when they realize how, in the last few days, the French Concession and the Settlement have been looked upon by: their fellow-countrymen as' refuges from the uncertainties of a potential war. It is clear that Chinese citizens here must have strong feelings on the course of recent events; so have their Japanese fellow-citizens. Each will do well to show tolerance of the other's point of view, especially as any contrary action would neither advance nor retard their respective causes and would certainly import into the situation here a complication which both countries would fain see avoided.
This prescription has been generally endorsed and the comparative quietness which has governed Shanghai's occasions during the} last month does credit to Chinese and Japanese leaders alike. Now that the major issues under treatment at Nanking and Tokyo have developed in gravity it is natural that the predominantly Chinese population of Shanghai should feel the effects of certain patriotic appeals quite properly issued from' the Central Government. It is highly important, however, that severe discrimination should be brought to bear on the manner in which response is forthcoming. What may be most creditable and, indeed, imperative in purely Chinese territory may, in the peculiar circumstances here, be open to valid criticism, as calculated to impair Shanghai's neutrality. Leaving out of account the domain of the City Government which may_be expected to continue along the lines so sagely prescribed by its Mayor in the exercise of his authority under the National Government and with due regard to the obligations under the agreement of May 1932, already cited, it should at once be observed that in the International Settlement—as also in the French Concession—there can be no which connote direct Japan, either present or prospective. ever correct may be the organization of "an' aggression" associations outside Shanghai it cannot be attempted without involving belligerent responsibilities. In Shanghai, therefore, it is' incompatible with the state of neutrality which all communities do desire to maintain here. To humanitarian efforts for red cross work, relief of war victims and the like, the same objection cannot be maintained. $82/ So long as there is a possibility that peace will prevail and that Tokyo and Nanking will eventually solve their difficulties without recourse to major hostilities, it is proper for Shanghai, with reasonable attention to international courtesy and fairness, to form and express opinions. Raging, tearing propaganda, from whatever side, should be eschewed, if only on the practical ground that it is least conducive to the common aim of restoring stability, If, unfortunately, peace should not prevail, Shanghai, in its own interests which, incidentally, are those of China as well as of Japan and other foreign powers, will then be well-advised to concentrate on the cultivation of neutrality and address itself to the problem of the conflict in an objective frame of mind. Whatever may be the outcome of the crisis, Shanghai cannot serve itself or the two principals to the dispute better. than by adopting a rigid line of neutrality and so preserving its resources, both; moral and material, for the beneficent work of reparation when the occasion comes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.