'A good deal of criticism has been Jevelled at the responsible authori. des regarding the delay in opening. up areas of the International Settle. ment north of Soochow Creek and surrounding districts of Shanghai which were occupied by the military forces. It is the general opinion that the delayed opening up of these areas has militated seriously against the! resumption of trade in the port. 1 am glad 10 say that the greater por of Shanghai north of the Soochow Creek Including Chapel has. now been thrown open with certain restrictions, but until the restrictions are eased the confidence which is 30) essential to the opening up there will be lacking. It is to be hoped that the remaining districts around Shang. hal including Nantao and Pootung will be opened up for the free move~ ment of merchandize, and the open-tug of factories as early as possible.
Military operations have moved a considerable distance from Shanghai all directions and the opening up. of the occupied area Is now nothing more or less than a question of restoring law and order. Whilst this provides certain difficulties, they will not become any smaller' as the result of delay. The quickest method of restoring law and order is to get the people occupied and this can only bbe done: by opening up all areas no longer within the zone of hostilities and encouraging the free movement Of produce as well as the resumption. of industrial activities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.