Artistic R. o. Scott Memorials A. W. Horton ence of nations who, whether members of the League or not, are vitally concerned in Far Eastern peace. It recalls Mr. S. M. Bruce's earlier proposal for a conference of Pacifid powers, but it does not, apparently, endorse the belief that the time is ripe for action on those lines. Lord Cranborne's emphasis on the need for confining peacemaking efforts to measures Which have a real chance. of success is important. Experience shows that elaborate plans for that kind of international movement are best deferred unless they can result in proposals which both contestants are likely to accept. At the moment no such hope can be entertained. The senselessness of the struggle is, however, brought again to attention by the British representatives significant comparison of the intrinsic importance of the Marco Pólo Bridge incident with the large-scale military and naval aggression launched by Japan against China. That fundamental point must be borne in mind. It is vividly impressed on the sympathies of. other nations, if only by reason of the heavy losses which, as third parties, they have incurred in the course of the struggle. Here in Shanghai there is no difficulty in appreciate ing this point; the almost complete stagnation of the commercial life of this nerve centre is a serious matter for all. It reflects conditions, in greater or less degree, in other parts of the country, where hostilities are in progress. The offer of Great Britain to mediate "if the need should arise" is the second, perhaps, the more practical proposal put forward by the British Cabinet. It gives a further reason for the firm refusal to countenance or approve the suggested boycott of Japanese goods.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.