It is very satisfactory to find that the Lord Mayor of London has given his great author\- the organization of the fund for the relief of vielims of the present hostilities in China." The step which ho has taken in cooperation with the Governor of the Bank of England is an exceptional one, He isnot apparently opening a 'Mansion' House fund for that is usually concerned with disasters arising from natural causes such 8 famine, flood, earthquake and the like." He is, how: ever, appointing "a. special Commitiee. to Support the original appeal issued on Octo ber' 2, 3997, by. the China Association, the Conference of British Missionary. Societies and British Red Cross. The formation of this Additional committee to administer the fund will ensure the best possible use of the money thus charitably "subscribed. "Whatever dllference of opinion may exist regarding the stops which should be taken to deal with the outbreak Hsclt there will. be" complete Sinanimity in. support, of the humanitarian effort to assist China' to solve the diMeult and many-sided problems of mitigating the Tosses and hardships which have. fallen, her people through the clash with Japan, The mere fact that Dritish sympathies have been 50 practically enlisted should stimulate Toeat activity in Shanghai, In spite of the grave situation here there is every reason for the whole community, both foreign and Chinese, to devote itself to the relief of distress. Motives of self-interest may be properly invoked as well as that natural desire to come to the rescue of the unfortunate which finds expression in the feelings of every decent citizen, As has already been shown, generous contributions have been forthcoming from private resources, There is still room for further provision of funds for the various organizations which are heroically grappling with the problems respectively assigned to them. In other words, every citizen of Shanghai should ask himself or herself whether in their own way, small or large, they can either by service by money make a valid contribution to the general effort. The hospitals are in par ticularly urgent need of assistance. So, too, are the organizations which are endeavouring either to evacuate surplus population, or, where such evacuation cannot be arranged, to initiate measures for providing occupation and means of livelihood, In the course of surveying the position it has been realized that the foreign community itself will be heavily aMicted by this present disaster, In normal times the charitable organizations which have been established to deal with foreign distress can handle that comparatively minor problem, In the present situation it is obvious that those resources are pitifully Inadequate. Before many weeks are out it feared that the destitution among a large proportion of foreigners will be acute, It is very satisfactory to. know that the Committee in London will bear this important factor in mind, Its liaison with the Joint Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce and the China Association here will ensure for the local organizations direct contact with the sources of relief. Meanwhile the various societies are concentrating on the study of the factors volved. Much relief will possibly be required in the direction of assisting the return to their own Jand of those foreigners for whom no occupation can presently be found, There will also be the important work of developing facilities for maintaining foreigners here in Shanghai, The efforts which are being made can be relied upon to tackle this diMeully in the most practical and efficient manner. Asan example, the preliminary steps which have been taken by the British Women's Association, the American Women's Club and other societies to coordinate charitable activities deserve very urgent and effective reinforcement, The B.W.A, itself is operating to deal with social service work, refugee work and hospital needs. In fuet there is an enormous field for the energies of every member of the community and it is hoped that no dim dence will be displayed either in offering services or in rendering whatever assistance can be forthcoming. The foreign community will assuredly be able to combine its ce-operation in the relief of Chinese distress with due attention to the special requirements of its own kith and kin, The call must incite the goodwill and earnest endeavour of all who realize that a combined effort to restore the situation is pressingly needed,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.