So long have Messrs. Lane Crawford and Company ministered to the needs of Shanghai that the decision voluntarily to wind up its affairs here will come as a shock, although it has been expected for some time past. It cannot be said, therefore, that the frm's disappearance will be the direct outcome of the present depression, but obviously the une satisfactory state of trade during the past year must have confirmed the Girectors in the intention to which they have now given full effect. Messrs. Lane Crawford have not only contributed for many years to the Lord Snowden) and Labour led by Major C. R. Attlee (more or les with Sir Stafford Cripps) are claiming the electorate's sympathy. Their expectations are not high, for the Liberal candidates against the Government do not amount to much more than 150 and the Labour party headquarters appears to be con-vineed that a gain of 100 seats is the utmost it can achieve.
Thus the Government can go to the poll with the comforting reflection that their opponents do not look for victory, unless, of course, the dev-clopment of the campaign produces stronger evidence of a revulsion of feeling.
For several reasons it is by no means clear, at this distance, that the Government will have a wal over. Domestically it can put up a strong case in the progress of the country to recovery. It is true that its opponents will make much play with the breakdown in the Unemployment Assistance Act and with the failure to find a short-cut in the House of Commons comprise in relief of the distressed areas. }470 Conservatives, 35 Liberals and However specious may be the pro-13 Labour members. It is maintain-gramme which Labour candidates fed that the overwhelmingly Con-may advocate, it will make a certain servative character of the Govern-appeal to industrial areas which Jment has resulted in neglect of the have not shared in the recovery. "National" principle on which the Moreover, by-elections have shown electorate voted in 1931. It is also that Labour sympathies are strong argued that Mr. Baldwin is en-Jeven in towns which are comparadeavouring to foist a Conservative tively free from distress. The elec policy on the country under the tion will be fought at a time when guise of a "National" programme public attention is much exercised and that he is endeavouring to by the Ethiopian crisis. Here per~ create an impression that yet an-plexing currents may be discerned. other crisis has arisen to demand, The general support accorded to the 2 renewal of the mandate given in Government in pursuance of its 1931. Significance is also attached policy at Geneva is streaked with {to the rapid restoration to favour contrasting attitudes. In its own Mr. Winston Churchill and the disranks it has a strong element which sentient right-wing which stead-distrusts the League but is ready to fastly resisted the Government's support a policy which implies a major legislative measure—the strengthening of the national de-[India Bill—during the greater part fences. Opposed to it are perfervid lof the last session. Mr. Ramsay' adherents to the League who appear MacDonalds dozen and Sir John to believe that sanctions can be [Simon's thirty-four followers are drastically applied without any fear not considered strong enough to of war—a belief which might be give a truly national complexion to dangerously pressed. Too much tthe Government. This feeling has stress may be laid on the recent been stimulated by the unconcealed, {"Peace" ballot which secured such janxiely of many Conservatives to emphatic support for the League drop their Liberal-Labour append-and which is declared to have inlage. Mr. Baldwin himself has been fluenced the Government's attitude scrupulous to a fault in acknowledg-at Geneva. Aversion from war ing the mandate of 1931, but some of, dictated that verdict. Events of the hhis followers have at times displayed last few months have generated the manifest tepidity in associating fear that the League may fail to themselves with the gesture. It is minister to that sentiment and, in Jon these grounds that the Opposi-fact, as it has failed to prevent tion Liberals led by Sir Herbert hostilities in Ethiopia, may actually Samuel (with Mr. Lloyd George end lead fo a war in which Great Britain "mmr"
The Capitol Theatre is experiment~ ing this week by breaking away from its usual repertoire programme and presenting a frst-run film. The choice has fallen on "Mimi", an adaptation of Murger's story on which the opera "La Boheme" is based. The film will be accompanied by Puccint's music and the leading parts are to be played by Miss Gertrude Lawrence and. Mr.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Mr. Fairbanks made his mark in British Mims with his exceptionally fine character study. jot the Tear in "Catheritie the Great."
Miss Lawrence has drawn. London with many successes including the Nead in "Private Lives," Her appearance with Mr. Fairbanks in this film fat the Capitol Theatre—which opened on Friday-—should be exceedingly teresting. The theme of "La Beheme"
well known and it lends itself well to cinema production.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.