Noting at the beginning of the month that the virtual breakdown in the discussion of the Outside Roads problem did not actually' close the door "of negotiation on various Points, this journal was able to {press the view that the interests of Shanghaj would surely be held paramount, This hope has been fulfilled formal discussion of the whole: subject has, it is understood, been resumed. "Both municipal an: tenties are' to be congratulated, Nor is it perhaps ndisereet hazard the suggestion that the good offices. of certain members of the {Government at Nanking have not been. entirely lacking. A. most gitactory'featre "of the con.
rovers as it developed. from the breakdown has been the restraint of fal parties concerned. There have een no recriminations but rather a realisation of the respective points of view at issue. This in it-Self has assisted in keeping that door ajar. It has now been fully opened and Shanghailanders will fervently hope he par. 403 [ticipants in the discussion will be braced to their admirable task by the good wishes of all who rely on their wisdom, spirit of compromise and tolerance, for the solu-Hon of this long-standing difficulty. Not the least fervent will be those dwellers on the Outside Roads whose patience has been tested most sorely all and who deserve a special tribute in respect of their fortitude] Jand complaisance—albeit sometimes expressed with a ruefulness not unnatural in such a case,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.