The heading over these columns should be changed. For with the ghastly threat of war overhanging. this great country, society, in its generally accepted term, has become dead letter and all things pertaining to the social have ceased to exist. To sit here and even think of such frivolities seems pitifully grotesque when, as one wries, the heavy boom of artillery only' few miles away assails one's ears.
is heartening, however, incredible though It may seem, to find people carrying on their work just as usual, despite the knowledge that men are dying on the blood-stained field of Daatile, leaving behind the real vie~ tims of any. man-made conflict-the women and children.
One bright spot in an otherwise gloomy picture is the -way those who are usually listed "among those present" have risen to the national emergency. The surprising thing is that this is not only confined to the elder generation, wise in past, oxperience, but to' the young, untried Generation. The way they have eschewed all pleasures and taken more serious things in hand augurs well for the future of China, Younger Set Active It s, therefore, amazing to see how the members of the younger set, who hitherto have only been interested in enjoyment, if they had no hobbies or other interests, are one and all striving so carnesily to do their bit for the motherland. With their elders too busy with their own affairs, this precious energy of youth has been in danger of being wasted by the overlapping and re-duplication of efforts, shown by the forming of several smell groups with no definite sense of leadership or organization.
Some of them have come to realize this and, in order to conserve all this strength "and. direct it in the most useful channels to the greatest advantage, are trying to organize these groups and combine them into Jone efficient unit with definite alms. One of the most energetic sponsors fof this scheme is Miss Lee Ya-ching who, as China's rst aviatrix possesses the initiative and courage to tonsure its success Groups Gather With this laudable purpose in view, she invited about 60 of her young friends and those interested to attend 4 meeting, which was held in her apartment in Tifeng Road last Frida Cris ie st Friday The outcome of this meeting was the forming of the First. Citizens Emergency Auxiliary to which Mr, Percy Chen was elected President and Miss Lee Ya-ching, Vice-President, Letting no. grass grow under their fect, two enthusiastic members in the persons of Mr. IK. L, 'Woo and Mr. 'Yao announced the establishment of a' Red. Cross Hosital equipped with 350 beds. To maintain this for two months, $40,000 was required, halt of which they announced they would be responsible for, the balance they requested the 'Auxiliary to commence a drive fair, For: this purpose a committee waz formed consisting of Miss Lee Ya~ ching, Mrs, Ernest 8. H. Tong, Mr. K.L,' Woo and Mr. Kinson Gee, Me, Perey Chen gave another of his inspiring talks {to those present end was, no doubt, himself Inspired by the picture of the flower of Chinese youth so eagerly and touchingly ready o immolate itself on the altar of sacrifice so that its country might find a place in the sun.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.