May 10 A very important point is raised jin to-day's correspondence columns ina letter from "J.S.B." dealing with the hint that was so recently [dropped at the annual general meet~ jing of the International Investment Trust Ca. to the effect that some Jof overcrowding which has led to a large number of very. strong complaints. If, as it is asserted, there is a large number of difficulties which these utilities have to Jencounter, it may be very rightly contended that any difficulty which takes eleven years to surmount must indeed be a serious one, In this matter of overcrowding there is Ino appreciable difference in guilt between either of the two services involved. There is, indeed, also a very large responsibility devolving jupon the Council in this matter. Tt would seem that if it has not actual-allowed matters to slide in a most regrettable manner, it certainly does not appear to have taken adequate steps to see that the interests of the travelling public have been sufficiently cared for. It! is, of course, possible, that with the many other preoccupations of the Council it has been difficult to Jallocate sufficient time for the serious problems with which pas-'Senger traffic in Shanghai is undoubtedly surrounded. If that, indeed, be an excuse for a policy lof laissez faire which has existed more years than it is desirable to remember, then the time appears to have come when, under the auspices of the Council, there should be established a Transport Board having sufficient powers to see that the public are served in the manner that they ought to be.
The establishment of the Rick-form of working agreement or even, shaw Board, in itself only a_tem= perhaps, a merger would be neces-porary expedient, is sufficient sary between the Tram and Bus precedent to justify the contention make the final decision on the ex-pity of their notice of intention to leave the League as to whether they will remain members or not. Three first class crises with the ground badly prepared to meet them be: cause of the failure of the disarmament manceuvres, It is even felt in some quarters that by the end of ithe year the League itself may either cease to exist or become attenuated in form and influence that to all intents and purposes if jit does not die it will be in so (moribund a condition as to be almost ineffectual. Naturally such an outlook must cause considerable anxiety throughout the world and jesvecially in the minds of those who have laboured so earnestly for the establishment of the foundations of universal peace. The situation is aggravated by the increased commercial rivalries and the spirit jot nationalism which has assumed such proportions as to become a [grave diplomatic matter.
There are a few, but very few factors to offset this gloomy state of affairs. League officials profess to believe that that institution will emerge out of these crises stronger jand better than it has ever been before. They point to the manner in which the two great non-member (Powers, Soviet Russia and the (Tnited States are moving towards [Ca-operation between the League and the United States has never been closer than it is to-day. There are indications that the Soviet is endeavouring to increase its ties in raised will require the exercise of the greatest possible courage, of patience, tolerance and tact, It Imay require the restatement of old principles, the application of old inwards' in more modern terms id more modern manners. Yet it is not the first time when apparent political and economic inevitability mankind has had to. stand armed only with its moral qualities, and emerged from the struggle with success. And there is no reason [why these spiritual arms should fail in this coming crisis. In this it possible to be of gocd heart. The world does not want war. The interesting articles. by Mr. H. Knickerbocker which have been appearing in these columns have described the situation as he finds in Europe, and from his obvervi tion it is clear that not only does Europe not want war but actually Hears it. Thus the outlook may be grave but if the world meets the [coming crisis with a high courage land a determination all round to smooth out existing difficulties there is no reason why 1935 should mot stand in the history of the world as monument to humanity's good sense,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.