Oct. 5.
The official announcement of {the cessation of negotiations between the Shanghai Municipal [Council and the Municipality of Greater Shanghai over the policing of the Outside Roads, has not surprise anyone who has followed the developments to which this journal lately drew Jattention. There is a pleasant side to. the disappointnient. During many weary months Mr. Stirling Fessenden and Mr. 0. Yui have devotedly fore gathered to pave the way of agreement by dint of informal discussions. From time to time it is understood that Mr. A. D. Bell and General Wu Te-chen have given the weight of their authority to {the examination of certain points lor to the removal of certain Jobstacies. In the summer of 1932 an agreement was believed to have been virtually completed. At all events the Council was clearly of the opinion that such progress had been made that a draft might be submitted to the Diplomatic authorities learned. The British and Amer lean Governments, carefully abstaining from direct or formal approval of the proposals, dicated with considerable promptitude their conviction that the Council and the Muni-Jcipality would be well advised to reach a settlement on the lines proposed. Whether the delay which necessarily had to occur before the two parties could proceed to the final signature, was responsible for the sudden emergence of difficulties cannot usefully be canvassed. The fact remains that the agreement hung fire. Discussions were temporarily suspended and, then renewed under the irksome strain of the obstacles revealed. The two principal negotiators, Mr, Fessenden and Mr. Yui, deserve sympathy. They also reserve a warm tribute to their good temper_and indefatigable endeavour. Ever now when the deadlock has to be admitted, it is satisfactory to know that the personal relations between them and between the two Municipal Administrations remain on friendly basis. In such circumstances it is possible to ex press the hope that even if there be a breakdown it does not
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.