The best traditions of the British Mercantile Marine are at the service of the community in its effort to resume its trading relationships, despite the unfavourable conditions prevailing here. Messrs. Butterfield & Swire and Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Ca. have given gallant leadership in setting the coastal traffic to work once more. Risks there are by Shanghai's recent experiences. It is possible for those who disdained the purely sentimental comedy, or the costume farce to be of a contrary opinion. Lavender and the demureness which goes with it will be preferred to the exotic lotus. Comedians will be more welcome than strenuous tragedians, Above all there must be room made in the programme for Walt Disney's family. They are essential to any process designed to cheer the Shanghailander in his or her present frame of mind. but they will always be gladly run by the officers and men of the Merchant Service as. the scenes round the coast of Spain bear witness. Ashore the Shanghai Municipal Council has steadily invited the community to turn to the task of restoring the normal current of its commercial and, within limits, social life. The Council is commanding a remarkably united support from the international area under its control. Seldom in the many crises through which the Settlement one has there been such an absence of ministration Building's efforts. This solidarity is admirable: it indicates the right spirit in the community but it also betokens a sense of work being well done. In recording that agreeable opinion it is only proper, as well as pleasant, to pay a really warm tribute to the work of the Chairman.
Mr, Cornell S. Franklin has displayed all the qualities of quiet, confident, leadership his position demands in emergency; admitted fact that the Council's have all derived the greatest possible inspiration from the manner in which he has risen to the height of the occasion. His colleagues have given him ungrudging support but they will recognize that on the Chairman falls a special burden, failure adequately to bear which would have an adverse effect on the team as a whole. Mr. Franklin has modestly but firmly been the good captain. The Settlement could not ask for a better. He has earned special approval from his British friends because, all along, he has stood for the maintenance of the foreign position in this time of stress. Readiness to find scope for resumption of interrupted activities has been the keynote of the Council's attitude to which he has made firm contribution.
It must, however, be emphasized that, as spondent has pointed out, the adoption call for "business as usual" should be attuned to caution. Shanghai has had a shattering blow; remedial processes are at work but they are handicapped by the undeniable fact that, to quote the notice of His Majesty's Consulate, the military position has not yet been stabilized. It would therefore be unfortunate if on the plea of facilitate ing a return to normality over-hasty decisions were taken. For example it would be' distinctly disconcerting if women and children were to return here too quickly and conditions within a short time of their return developed in such a way as to create regrets that no facilities then existed for their re-evacuation. This is not presented as a probability but, at the moment, it mu: dismissed as beyond the bounds of po: Similar considerations apply to the resumption of internal activities in the Settlement. The traffic services have shown great public-spirit in re-entering the streets at the earliest possible moment. Shops are re-opening and that restoration of a necessary facility is to be highly commended. Nor should there be much n of those lighter activities which, although unable to carry the label "essential," can in their own unassuming way 1 check unemployment and minister to the public's ease of mind. Nevertheless this journal strongly supports any protest against too extravagant an interpretation of that policy, both on the ground that the danger of war's alarums is by no means past and because in this time of suffering and distress thoughtless dissipation or frivolity is unworthy.
On the general question of Shanghai's position during the present hostilities it is to write with reserve. Obviously normality will be elusive so long as this city is in the throes of the conflict between the two fore There is no need to dilate! upon the military situation as such or to! examine its possibilities on technical lines. Broadly China defending and Japan is attacking. The obligations and liabilities of both are therefore generally understood. The prospect of seeing an early removal of the seat of hostilities to a scene further away from the Whangpoo is naturally taken into account. If it occurs, the maintenance of the right attitude in developing normality will be facilitated but it may be necessary! to persevere in the task without such immediate relief. The spirit which Shanghai has shown leaves no room ior doubt of its
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.