The multiplication of appeals for support to. various philanthropic activities proceeds apace. Obviously an ideal arrangement would demand that some centralization should be allempted to prevent overlapping, mate waste and give the public the heceseary assurance that its sympathies are being properly enlisted. In ordinary. times this has proved in Shanghai to be an impossibility. "How mulch more must that difficulty operate now. It remains to hope that the energetic organizers will get the support which they manifestly deserve and that, by the exercise of such liaison as they consider [desirable, they will be able successfully to favold abuses. "This journal emphatically commends to attention all such appeals as thave appeared in its columns. They are [sponsored by responsible citizens and they Indicate needs which are really urgent. This evidence of unofficial effort indirectly' raises the question of the Shanghai Municipal Council's position. That body is bearing heavy burden in administering a city of over million and a half inhabitants under the shadow of a fierce international struggle, Diplomacy, as well as administration, has to come within its purview and it is fortunately upheld by a remarkable public confidence in its judgment and capacity. Anxiety _is bound to ask whether, in the light of the Jgrave issues already emerging, it has_the Recessary powers to cope with them. Fortunately the Land Regulations which cover the constitutional position of the Council are elastic as well as rigid, comprehensive as well as out-of-date. It is believed that the ly administration has no fear on that point in far as its handling of current emergencies concerned. Obviously it will not, in its peculiar position, anticipate eventualities for thereby it would merely "accentuate the burden on its administration and expose Iiself to the danger of dissipating energies. It appears to be keeping abreast of developments as they occur. So long as it proceeds! fon those lines the interests of the Settlement} fare best served.
The refugee problem has loomed large in} the public eye. Fears have been expressed! that it may get out of hand. The Committee [Ca-ordinating the work of Evacuating Ref-lugees must mainly be concerned with questions of shipping and the like. It may be found desirable eventually to extend its scope, either as now constituted or in modified form, so that the work of evacuation may]
refugee population which for some time to Ncocordinated' with supervision of the come mirist. give the Settlement considerable fonxlety, The health situation has been complicated by the presence of these refugees and the Council, through the Public Health Department whose general administrative excellence ditting this crisis has been partiularly noteworthy, may be expected to cogtinue a positive policy of health protection. Emergency meastires in the acquisition of Dulldings suitable for hospital dccommoda~ tion may have to be taken if the present voluntary facilities are overstrained. Similar] steps are clearly indicated for the better supervision of refugees, whether in some {form of segregation or otherwise. The attitude of the Council, working as it is in close ce-operation with "the authorities of the [French Concession, suggests no likelihood of hesitation in that regard. The provision of quarantine arrangements may be expected to develop from this liaison. The exclusion of refugees who are suffering from epidemic diseases would be desirable. It is obvious that. the Settlement cannot safely extend] facilities for further additions to its already overtaxed accommodation with all the complekxities and perplexities involved. Apart from the Public Health Department, the forces of] aw and order, supported by the foreign garrisons now defending the perimeter, are active-Ty associated in measures designed to secure Jelose and. workable supervision over this! refugee population. The Settlement and the French Concession between them are accommo dating something like 5,000 wounded Chinese soldiers. Tt is probable that this number cannot be increased. That will be] {understood by the authorities concerned.
Tu addition to the ordinary demands. for} treatment of disease, the civilian hospitals Jot Shanghai have been crowded with cases fof wounded non-combatants. These residents fof the Settlement or Concession have course a first claim on such facilities but the congestion has brought to light in acute] farm the inadequacy of accommodation for the treatment of sickness among the Chinese feivilian population. Voluntary hospitals, which before the crisis were in a by no Means flourishing condition financially, are jin great need of assistance and assurances 'Whether the Council will have to consider the possibility of making emergency grants in their regard as well as extending the accommodation available by measures already Suggested, the event must decide. It certain-seems' unlikely that the institutions thus] Burdened will be able at this moment to] derive much material ald from the general} [public on whom appeals are pouring daily. Dheir applications to the Council may, before ong, have to be considered. The, scope of the internat needs of the Settlement i lari great. This is being perceived by thoughtful observers of the situation. They. should be reassured by the knowledge that the Council convinced that it has powers to cover the Jemergencies to which they refer. Moreover! there is no disposition to stand too obstinately "blocked" currency gradual correctives can be fon. the letter of the law, if the situation applied In the release of cash. the situation Seveloped awkwardly. There is no disposi-willie materially cased.. Whether any tion slavishly to defer to precedents if a specific suggestions which have appeared in straightforward application of remedies. print would contribute to these. processes tthe needs of the moment is advisable. The! ust be left to the Joint Committee and its key to the position lies in the good. sense coadjutors to decide. There seems, however, and cohesion of the community"and the conto be no objection to. the: basic argument [sequent assurance that the Council's action for] that the "wel wah" system could be adapted the common good and in protection of the to permit of certain payments which urgently general well-being of the community will require cash treatment' and which of them-of be questioned—nay it will be applauded. selves would make valid contribution to the Increase of the flow of money. The "wel wah" system was instituted to stop the flow of money from the Chinese banks and so avert
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.