To the Editor of-the "Nonru-Cinxa Dar.y: News!
Sm—With reference to the present /Sino-Japanese crisis. at Shanghai, it seems to me that there is a very effective way of averting an aggrava~ tion of the situation and I have been wondering why it has never occurred to those who have been working in the cause of peace at Shanghai. The [scheme T have in mind is the creation fof a neutral zone between Hongkew and the adjoining Chinese territory. This zone is to be patrolled by a contingent of neutral troops, say, the British and American troops' and neither the Chinese nor the Japanese forces should be allowed to enter this zone. I have no doubt that such a [proposal will prove acceptable to the [Chinese Authorities, as, being only temporary in nature, it would. not involve the creation of a new con~ Jcession in Shanghai, On the other hand, if the sole object of the [Japanese forees is the protection of the Japanese lives and property at JShanghal and if they are sincere in [their professions of non-aggravation. Jof the situation, 1 don't see why they should object' fo it. The neutral [forces concerned would probably be reluctant to" undertake such an Jonerous responsibility' but in view of {the serious menace to foreign interests, In Shanghai in the event of hostilities breaking out—even if the Settlement south of the Soochow Creek is not Jdirectly involwed—the foreign Authorities concerned will find that such a task, onerous though it be, welleworth undertaking. There of course, another dimeulty the "Japanese have been sus Jpicious of the least. hint of inter—vention by third parties and the Jereation of a neutral zone may be Interpreted "as such intervention, This diMeulty, however, should not Prove unsurmountable. The proposed [scheme. I believe, will remove all possibility of-a clash between the two hostile forces and as it i absolutely futile—nay, absurd—to exe pect either the Japanese or the [Chinese forces to withdraw from }Shanghai, this seems to me the only effective way of averting the imminent hostilities. 1¢ the scheme is con. sidered feasible, 1 think the Shanghai Municipal Council might well take the initiative in putting it forward to the two paries concerned, Shanghai, August 18, "7. C. Wane. alien: dri "iiteedy but found
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.