Sanctuary Shanghai, Nov. 5.
'The fate of Nantao stil' hung in the balance last night when it was} earned that the plan for establishing neutral zone there had not yet been fully ogreed to by the warring parties. A strong hope was, held Out, however, by members of the Intgenational." committee" sponsoring the scheme that realization would be achieved by noon to-day.
Briefly, "the plan provides for making the northern portion of the so-called Native City a demilitarized and secure abode for Chinese re~ fugees who are already in the area in large numbers. Tt is a_ scheme obviously favoured by the French in 'Shanghai, who have' extensive interests in Nantao and who have established military posts at. the French Waterworks "and Kiousin Dock, Tungkadoo, and at Siccawei, Tu addition, there are several French mission properties in the "City." caring for thousands of Chinese, including the many charges of the Little Sisters of the Poor at their Home for the Aged in Avente de Bezaver, Tungkadoo.
"The International Committee of the Red Cross Society championing the plan, it Is needless (0 say, is cons ferned only. with the humanitarian endeavour of preventing the slaughter of innocent civilians in the Chinese Acceptance 'A Chinese spokesman said tate yesterday that the scheme had been accepted by the Chinese authorities. It's further understood that the Japanese also are favourable ton wards it, Roughly, the area which it is hoped to make a haven for non combatants is bounded on the north, east and west by the curving Boulevard des Deux Republiques GMfin Kuo Lu) and on the south by Fang Pang Road. It is the northern third of what was, before the Chinese revolution, the old walled city of Shanghai, Personnel of Committee The international committee vaneing the plan is composed of representatives of both the French Concession and the International Settlement. The members are the Rev. Father R. Jacquinot, S.J, Mr. W. H, Plant, Mr. G. Findlay Andrew, Brig-Gen, &. B. Macnaghten, Mr. C. Baboud, Mr. A. Jaspar and Mr. Hans Berents.
'The Chinese spokesman last night'
inted out, according to Central jews, that a consummation of the plan does not involve any agreement Delween the Chinese and the Japa-
"What has taken place, in effect" Ihe said, "is that we have promised the Iniernational Committee, upon their urgent instance, we will "not use the area for military operations, while the Japanese have' also pro mised the Committee they will not Bomb or shell this sort of sanctuary."
"The important point," he concluded, that any understanding had is with the International. Committee and not with the Japanese. This is also true as regards the Japanese side Though no Chinese and few other nationals are seen about. A number fof shops and cafes are open and a few gay Kimonos are to be scen_ on the Street, with Kkhakicclad soldiers enjoying. their leave providing contrast to the naval sentries guard ing street corners.
Photo, tie Hang of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.