By Tue orton Shanghai, Aug. 15.
The ghastly first act in the tragedy of Shanghai's embroilment in the Sino-Japanese war unfolded itself yesterday to the horror-stricken popula! of this City—at once the audience and the victims of the drama.
Feelings of the deepest resentment and dismay have been aroused by this latest proof that aerial warfare cannot be controlled even to the point of sparing the citizens of an international enclave for whose safety both principal share an international responsibility.
At s0 poignant a moment, examination of the causes of this horrible slaughter of peaceful civilians is a pitifully arid occupa~ tion, It ministers only to an outraged sense of helplessness and has no practical value for the present. Shanghai learnt part of the lesson in 1932.
Application of it has been in default and its revival in a more terrible form is the consequence.
Nor is there satisfaction in pointing to the apparent failure of the foreign governments to perceive the dangers which were plainly hovering over Shanghai during the last fortnight. Now there is little doubt that the full gravity of the situation is known all over the world.
That gives some hope that measures will not be wanting to bring both principals to a realization of the importance, in their own interests, of transferring their military operations, if need for such still continues.
This journal whose offices have been and are in the centre of the fearful holocaust of yesterday afternoon, hopes that expression of the deepest sympathy with the relatives of the killed and wounded—foreigners and Chinese—will not seem to be too empty a gesture.
The vital duty is to urge upon all authorities who can in any way bring their influence to bear on the Chinese and Japanese Governments so.that instant steps may be taken to avert a further extension of this wicked—and, it seems to helpless beholders, wanton—crime against civilization.
In so far as strategic or tactical considerations expose this city to military punishment, they should be gravely reviewed in. the light of the larger issues of political expediency and common humanity.
The authorities, in their turn, have the right to ask that the community, staggering as it is under this heavy blow and des-berately bewildered, should give them every confidence. The remarkable calmness with which the police and defence forces—professional and volunteer—have discharged their difficult duties in this sudden emergency should be an inspiration, The tale is already soul-wracking, but Shanghai is exhorted, in the name of belief in the ultimate salvation of its citizenship, to display the courage and fortitude which are its traditional at. tributes.. 5 the "North-China Dally News" in the midst of the gore in front of the Cathay Hotel. An account book of some sort was found within bearing the name "Miss. Nashtashevsky."
Prot: Robert Reischauer, the leader of a cruise party of American college boys end professors was in the Palace Hold or near it when the bomb rived: "His legs were torn and he ice from Joss of blood at the General Hospital within a short time. The entire party had been at the Astor House but had moved to the Palace Hotel for safety. It was {0 sail for Japan to-day in the Tatsuta Maru. in connection with Japanese-American friendship work, American born in Tokyo, Pro-esser Relschauey' was thirty" years of aye, and a professor at Princeton University. His father is connected with the University of Tokyo. and his brother is studying at Boshisho University at Kyoto.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.