To the Editor of the "Nowr-Cuma Dany News"
Sm—With reference to the letter written by the Chairman of the Shanghai Race Club, I would like to say that it was not intended to place that institution in the same category the commercialized gambling re~ sorts in the French Concession, still Jess to suggest that their generous donations to charitable organizations are in the nature of a salve.
One does not suppose either that the Shanghai Race Club Payment to the Munici other than the regular taxes, or to the Consular "Authorities. One re~ members, however, that not so many months ago it was stated at a cer tain shareholders meeting, by believe, the President of one of the gambling places in the French Concession, that owing to loss of "busi-the Company had been obliged than they had previously made, and Satisted with "small
the sd" authorities had graciously acquiesced. Precisely under" what heeding this payment would appear tne does not how.
This I believe was reported in your own columns.
What the writer wished to phasise "is—that in times such These, it is not. ating that Tar numbers of people, nine-tenths. of whom would. be Chinese, should be Induced to assemble for the purpose of gambling, for it is hardly likely Lihat they would go to the French dog track merely to see the "tials" otto Hal Alai to watch the players.
Groot numbers of Chinese are lying their lives for their country, {the wounded are in' sad plight for Taek of medical supplies. One sees homeless refugees in all directions, one hears' of distress on all sides. fi does not. seem fitting, to say the least, that with so much suitoring lid distress all-round, people should be encouraged to attend these places order that those who un them may prompt.
Admittedly, these gambling resorts ive employment to a number copie. but how many others have fast their means of livelihood by the wrecking "or forcible closure of tnllls.and factories? These. people would fare no worse than thousands of others it these places were closed We read. to-day that thres. more British soldiers have been killed and others seriously wounded in carrying! ut. the duty assigned. to them" of defending the people of Shanghai. We read also of the "very gallant stand of the "Lone" $00" Chinese soldiers in face of overwhelming dds Ts it seemly' that the papers Which report these things should also. lieable to announce the re-
Opening of a gambling resort, even though it be "Charity" Program Maybe "womenfolk are not the best students of economies." but it certainly seems to. the writer that {In times like the present when China 1 being overrun by a barbarous! enemy, and every one is sullering more or less from this undeclared war. of aggression, this "particular Form of "sport" could and should be dispensed with. 'TI would seem that ood feeling. alone might restrain those concerned from "carrying on business as usual.'
Shanghai, Oct, 29.
Shanghai, Oct, 90.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.