rival of the strong Japanese fleet in the Whangpoo and at Woosung gave a new turn to the situation arising out of the Sino-Japanese crisis, Obviously it had no local significance in Fespect of the unfortunate tragedy near Hungjao. Aerodrome, Moreover it appears that the cooperation of the Japanese and Chinese authorites 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. 8. Okamoto with Mr.
Yul reinforces that view, It is impossible to pretend to divine the intentions of the Jap-nese Government in despatching so formidable a naval force to the Yangtze. Perhaps some renouncement may give light on that subject before long. It has been evident that as the days pass the plans of the Japanese for com-of North China will come ly into the picture. Measures taken {o that end may or may not lead to fighting on Tt would be quite in accordance gle requirements to lake naval acti for the purpose of dealing with possible developments in the Yangtze 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 warships might be: called upon 16 carry out demonstrations in reply to such a denition of China's attitude, The arrival of these ships in Shanghai does not justify feelings of mediate alarm. It is unwise of course to ignore the possibilities in a situation involving 80 extreme a tension og must exist when twe ations 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 focal municipal authorities cannot reasonably commit themselves to assurances the validation of which is beyond their competence. All thi fan be said is that responsible observers have hho reason to Believe that the peace of Shanghai wil be wantonly disturbed. That condition will be all the more readily maintained if, to use 4 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.