The ar 1 of the strong Japanese fleet in the Whangpoo and at Woosung gave a new turn to the situation ing out of the Sino-Japanese crisis, Obviously it had no local significance in respect of the unfortunate tragedy near Hungjao Aerodrome. Moreover it appears that the cooperation of the Japanese and Chinese authorities with the object of preserving peace in Shanghai still holds. On this point Japanese spokesmen have been definite and the admirable liaison established by Mr. S, Okamoto with Mr.
K, Yui reinforces that view. It is impossible to pretend to divine the intentions of the Japanese Government in despatching so formidable a naval force te the Yangtze, Perhaps some pronouncement may give light on that subject before long. It has been evident that as the days pass the plans of the Japanese for completing their control of North China will come more clearly into the picture. Measures taken to that end may or may not lead to fighting on a large scale. It would be quite in accordance with strategic requirements to take naval action: for the purpose of dealing with possible developments in the Yengtze Valley. If, for example, the Central Government could not see its way to agree to a peaceful settlement of its relations with Japan in view of the menace to the North, the Japanese worships might be called upon to carry out demonstrations in reply to such a definition of China's attitude, The arrival of these ships in Shanghai does not justify feelings of immediate alarm, It is unwise of course to ignore the possibilities in a situation involving so extreme a tension as must exist when twe nations are to all appearances on the brink of war, but in any event the duty of sensible citizens is to avoid making panicky decisions or indulging in wild speculations. The problem is delicate for, in the peculiar circumstances, the local municipal authorities. cannot reasonably commit themselves to assurances the validation of which is beyond their competence. All thay can be said is that responsible observers have no reason to believe that the peace of Shanghai will be wantonly disturbed, That condition will be all the more readily maintained if, to use 1 homely phrase, Shanghailanders exercise their customary caution and refuse to take their fences before they come to them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.