This might have helped broaden the basis of the Committee's claim to a traly.representative capacity, It must, frankly, be urged that the mere issue of circulars and the holding of committee meetings do not of themselves further the cause which the Association should have at heart—the careful study of the interests of the British community in the political and social life of Shanghai. It may be retorted that the Association is only concerned with the defence of British rights, conceived by the Committee elected to be the spearhead of massed attack. This may be the reason that the educative idea was rejected. If that is $0, the Association cannot expect to attain to the. influence desired for it. The British community ig not to be judged entirely by the views of the older genera tion, There is a section which desires to see questions of importance thrashed out with more Tegard to the procedure adopted nowadays in political associa tions in the mother country. On those lines contacts with the Chinese and other communities seem to be clearly indicated; yet would be a bold man who would be confident that the pre-ut Committee had resources for such an educative process.
The need for a definition policy must embarrass the Committee, at this juncture. Cir cumstances have now Jed to the selection of office holders whos: admirable qualities, as known to the public, make it especially difficult for them to assist in the formulation of a policy, which would be acceptable to the majority of the British community, Mr, H. G. W. Woodhead, the new President, cannot readily divest himself of the distinction which he has gained by his writings on Chinese affairs. Mr, Ranald MacDonald was the prime mover of a successful opposition to the addition of two Chinese members to the Municipal Council. His success was #0 unpalatable to the bulk of the ratepayers that a special meet~ ing had to be held to erase it—a feat achieved by one of the most startling reversals of opinded in. Shanghi history. Possibly Mr. _Biac Donald's views, like those of other people, have mellowed in the last two years. There has, however, been no definite indication of their having suffered a sea-change. It will hardly be contended with any conviction that a Committee so led can put forth a policy which will be endorsed by the British community with the unanimity so desirable at this moment. The Teading spokesmen of the community on other bodies have [clearly laid it down that British policy in China, of which Shanghai is so important a part, requires careful consideration and appreciation of Chinese opinion. The Feetham Report, to which strong endorsement been given by prominent British residents, laid emphasis on the need for carrying Chinese consent to any measures designed {for the solution of the Shanghai problem.
Is it possible to imtion, however well-meaning, can proceed very far on those fires' Hankow has recently started a British Residents' Association, The writer on the "Yangtze's Red Fringe" expressly noted that the British Consul-General, by in-Vitation, regularly attends the Association's Committee meet: ings. 'This does not imply a subservience to British officialdom' but a sage intention to keep in touch with exponents of British! policy. Could the Shanghai Association in present cond tions, attempt such a liaison it, were considered desirable? Although the Associatio fmands the nominal allega nearly 50 per cent. of the Bi community, its franchise is so slender in construction that, especially in this first year of existence, the Committee should be chary of regarding themselves as fully representative Their new appointments may find uneasy reflection in a weakening of the support which has been hoped the Association will be able to command in Jan ever-increasing measure.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.