The Royal Asiatic Society that the Council of the' Society is istled that it can more logically [should be duly set to the credit of Council's Electricity Department, the Executive Committee. Although is career since then has been con-Department the decision to ration information to sistently linked with the growth of the publi on the Association's [Shanghai's many industrial activi-doings will be regretted in so. far ties. The Shanghai Power Com: as it precluded fuller reports of the|pany, in fact, has been the index first annual general meeting, such to that growth. The zeal and en-fatal date America the impression without that she a specisi effort to' extend. atr, A. J. Hughes, who is mal soppers assistance rom public funds it the °F the Becesity for preserving the of its energy have been an inspitaism does not imply disregard thusiasm of Mr. Taylor's direction is being "rushed," is great. Sir|for the Royal Asiatic Society, has|public on its own account shows|Ptivacy which 4s, in some degree, tion-to all who came in contact Arthur Salter's Recovery" has, had gratifying results from his [real lively, and practical interest sential to every ebrporate body. him, THe shared, too, in the serta writings, had a remarkable eseemty Neary ty, Sarelanes like "Mr, Walter Lippmann's|letter published in this journal lin the Society's affairs. through him for mem: bor lime evtenti is a, Oe same waslerbeariesover aporias when the British life of the community with the Netnnly success" in eunrdieg [bership of the Secety, and ing stages,
defended on political efeien o et [ering track. a the Weston dieeit protection against way on the greens at Hungjao, the
American' opinion with ing Derabip of the imberest, if the ence ross em are ache; Admitall as well "us horticultural grounds. Yadio Tans, eer for the anyone. was a be-benefit of Insistence on the inseparability ChisovTung University' to be made over command of the" Nevel ABY attempt to force the pace liever in Shanghai was he and, of Reparation and War Debts or|q life member. In forwarding his Base at Sasebo is welcomed only Would be unwise, So this Journal it may be said, no-one has done its comparison of the Congress [cheque, Mr.. Usang Ly ates that because it involves further promo-is by no means pessimistic over the more to keep its flag flying as he resolution quoted above with he had only' just learned that, the tion for a Japanese officer who has Association's first celebration of its did his own Union Jack outside his the historic command of King Canute, Society admitted Chinese members, and he also was not fully, aware Work of restoring international "ganisation has been given and, where Mrs, Taylor and he proved been a most' valuable ally in the birthday. Proof of well-established Pleasant house in' Tunsin Road.
combtsdtuation presents a sd fenirementy" orgamation snell Admiral Soon, leals, worl harmony here. Las 4 is well visi paying afar trund. to exit~jeed Should although differences of opinion are such delightful hosts of ce ous frie fe. Toys dean it numer-ud means, of course, modern democracy. American situation' think that the secant publication of is. satisfactory toe bankers and statesmen are, for' information regarding the Society all practical purposes, convinced has brought forth this prompt that the cancellation or read-response.
Meanwhile, this journal justment of the War Debts is] would like to draw special attention an. essential factor in the|to Dr Wu Lien-teh's appeal for preservation of financigh and economic equilibrium, © 'They auge that continuance of the payments to their country by Europe will not merely. strain the debtors' "resources. sto. the Dreaking-point but definitely Accentuate the crisis with which they are grappling domestically. They are probably. convinced that; had these payments been stopped earlier, the crisis Would not have', developed in Such acuteness. 'They perceive that both Europe and America are approaching the brink of catastrophe beside' which all preceding disasters may seem Pienles. "he economic criss developed very much on the Tines of the game. of marbles Detween boys one of whom has won practically all the marbles, with the result that the same is at an end. But world trading has to proceed and, if, marbles are not available to the other boys, they will find some other token of possession. The dificult ty of the American position, that the representatives of the people cannot be made to grasp the significance of a proposal which, to them, seems to involve Guixotic action by a. severely depressed ex editor for the b eft of his debtors. If told that the further. acceptance of the' debtors' payments will prolong America's own difficulties, they are not disposed to accept the theers, which they regard as a specious request to abandon the substance for the shadow. Can they be blamed when the atates-mien of the world, fourteen years ago, appeared to' believe that it was possible to forecast. for three generations the capacity of, nation to pay a given sum of money and have been floundering in that: error almost up to "this very moment?
TByen assuming that the views of the economic experts have found. wider credence than the attitude of Congress suggests, it possible to conceive a frame of mind which says. in effect: Swell let the debtor take the blame: we will' not agree to forego payment; tet him default; the result will' be the same The result is not the same. be-cotise, by default, serious damage is done to the principles of Tegal obligation on which civil isation, at at present constituted ends. 'That is why Great Britain is likely to strain every nerve to meet the forthcoming demand, in spite of the fact that thereby' she extends the period of-odonomie strain for her eredifor as well as for herself. Sir "Arthur Salter, on this very ques-of default, writes "the economic and financial lite the world is based upon the Sanetity'of contract, which is im-Pais tery time 's"contratt taken beeatse it has "been. framed or ie s0 applied that it cannot be carried out;, world Ser itself "is based apon the Sanetity'of treats hich paised every time a Treaty Toe strictly observed." judgment from outside can be safely attempted, the recent support given by the American elec-orate to the policy of modifying the Bighteenth Amendment was aged Inno small measure on this consideration. Coming 'Tis, 4,000 for bookshelves. Tt will be recalled that a cheque for Tls. 500 has already been received from Mr. H. E, Morriss to start thi fund, "and Dr. Wu Liens laudable anxiety' would be greatly' allayed if further' subscriptions could be sent carly date, There is no doubt that the Society fulfils most useful functions, and it is important that the value - of these functions should be recognised by a voluntary effort on the part of the community relying on odditier There are grounds for thinking nearer to the Far Enst, American views on events here have been no less closely allied to gard for contractual obligations. Once more this journal insists that the War Debt issue cannot be usefully discussed in terms of the services rendered either by creditor or debtor to the Allied cause in the Great War. Ex post facto theses regarding the spirit in which the loans were made are irrelevant. The one relevant fact is the debt itself, The governing factor is the effect of discharge of that debt, either by remission or by payment. In no other way can undesired—recrimination avoided or practical remedies applied. The situation is vastly different from that five years ago. Then the creditor was pro-sporous. Now adversity been fully comprehensive overwhelming mankind. The restoration of economic activity is the equal aim of all nations. Failure to achieve it speedily must bring the whole fabric of the world as at present constituted within the peril of a cataclysmic revolution. Alren this thought is assuming unco fortable attraction for some minds. Mr. G, D. H. Cole has just written:
"America is still endeavouring to reconstruct her shattered econo. mie life behind a high tariff wall and on a purely national basis—ling or relegating She still treating the debt problem, not as something' indissolubly hound up with the reorganisation of her economic life, but as a separate issue to be solved or left unsolved without any recognition of its connection with America's economic problem as a whole."
And Mr. Cole, referring to the delay in tackling the problem of recovery, in the light of the decisions at Lausanne, had already declared:
"It is easy enough to see that this! state of affairs is merely idiotic, and disastrous from any point of view save that of a believer in world revolution as the one possi-Ble way out of the tangle."
In such a case it is flippantly inappropriate to canvas the individual errors of nations. The American Congressman. more to be condemned than the optimists who are evoking comment in London. Both are to be pitied. Both are caught in a tragic coil, with the rest of mankind. It is therefore preferable to hope that the irrepreslo genius of humanity for adjusting its actions, however, belatedly, to the dictates of selipreservation, may come to the rescue in the nick of time. f.rarm reception andy mate of Jof honour of the' Mossian Deiachown modest Protests, a
ment of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps was mounted with its colour jon the occasion. In his relations with the Chinese authorities Admiral Sakonji has been a happy propagandist of goodwill as well ax 8 most efficient representative of BIJA. Navy. On all sides it is felt' that his departure should not owed to pass without some indication of the appreciation which is courtesy, tact and good-nature tackling sometimes very delicate ions have evoked. He fo ly. leaves behind such ad~ mirable legacies of friendliness and intelligent grasp of the intricacies of the situation that there will be no. reluctance in' extending to those who follow in his footsteps the utmost support and sympatl Coming of Age turday the Shanghai branch of the Girls' Friendly Society had to be congratulated on attaining the age of 21 years. With those congratulations was, associated the name of ars. S.C. Young who has been the moving spirit. in the Society's work here throughout its infancy, childhood and adolescence. The Society functions as an insti chieh creates a bond of fellow-among young women inghai, on recognised lines _proscribed by the faith of the Church. Tt was started by Mrs. Young in modest "yet courageous vein—its initial debt of some $30 was wiped out by a helpful boy scout who organised magic lantern entry tainment. Since then it has been able to look to wider but not less thusiastic support. Vicissitudes dents and by the mittee-women, to rise superior to them. Early next year Lady Bertha Dawkins, Lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary, with a special of her long ices Friendly Society the joint effort of branches all over the world.
Tu that gift the Shanghai branch is to be represented, Valuable work has been performed
ing's Daughters' Society in cer-the branch in the tain. admirable social service, notably in connection with the" Con-sat' Home. And that rity be regarded' with Pride is shown by the fact that some of the carly members of the Society' are now bringing to it their town daughters for initiation the' principles steadfastly stood British Residents' Aesociation Indiscretion may perhaps permitted to. pierce the purdah of the meeting of the British Residents" Association to the extent of "congratulating the ident" and" Vice-President their admirable conduct of the business. The meeting was well= attended and, incidentally, members resent were. specially appreciative lof the efficiency of the loud-speaker [which avoided the eccentricities too often apparent in such instruments at public gatherings here. Comment fon proceedings closed to the press has obviously to be general rather than' particular." The meeting might have done well to express its thanks to the Committee for untiring labours which have cerily not been onfroitful as will Ihave been noted from the summary lof Mr. Woodhead's presidential speech. An infant body which, in {the course of twelve months, has established representation "in Eondon, has: drafted and obtained approval of its own constitution and thas been able to, extend the scope: lof. its- operations to cover British residents. in the outports, has rs. health—in regard to Mer taylor will' have: to" meet the pace: and. direction of policy, Shanghailanders there and not here there are no is of any reluctance in future. Their change of ple to give criticism a hearing or tofwill be regretted but the regret is profit by experience. Experience, tinged with some envy and softened indeed, "is what the Association by the knowledge that their family chiefly' requires and that can come add to the attractiveness of the only by time and by intensified post which he is assuming in Lon-study of the conditions which, Sooner or later, must govern actions.
Acconoixsc to an official state-for the Brazilis Consulate-that they have given generously of private time to the furtherance of a public cause and, when greater assurance enables them or their successors to tear down the pardah, more extended recognition of their Iabours will undoubtedly be forthcoming.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.