China and the West it will be @ test, in such a daily
advancement to see whether Joverdue reform can be instituted promptly. To the Editor of the "Norru-Camxa Dany News"
Sim—There will be general appreciation of the fact that, prior to the voting, the "North-China Daily News" [Eave editorial expression to the hope lof the British community that China would re-gain her seat on the League Council.
Consistent with this expression of hope, general regret and disappoint. ment will be felt on the part of Britons in China that China has been voted out.
One is constrained to wonder when {ther Europe is deliberately allowing her ties with the Far Eas: to slacken, and to ask whether a recessional is fuct being regarded 2s a. historical inevitability and anticipated beters its. ti Britons in China must realize that the fight against a possible tendency. of the West to recede from the Far East is theirs, They must continue direct the attention of their homeland to themselves, their needs, their accomplishments, their hopes and. possibilities in the expansion British interests in China. "We will pot recede" should be the deterrmination of every one of us, and the Intent should be translated into an active and vigorous policy of con-JAdence and hope, with defeatism rigidly eschewed.
'A corollary of this attitude on the part of Britons in China must be a close identification of their interests with those of the Chinese people and the national destinies of China, The jweltare of the people must be our Jeoncern and every. encouragement' Jond aid actively directed to the attainment of a perfected nationhood by China, By the denial to her of a League jseat_a further blow has been administered to China's confidence in the goodwill of the West. Tt was an added cruelty that it should fall on Ther "humiliation" day. Britons in China can and should do all in their power to alleviate the pain and disappointment the Chinese peop! will feel, and to encourage in her [confidence that in the ultimate text Britain will be found to be a true friend.
Shanghai, Sept. 21.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.