To the Editor of the "Nonr-Cuixa Darty News'
Sin—A recent letter in the "North= China Daily News" set out to defend the "Shanghai Mind" and to enumerate what had been accomplished by the "spirit of diehardism." The letter gave an analysis of the past and present, but failed to refer to the fulure, Ts not this point the very crux of the criticism that gave rise to the above terms? A diehard thinks of the past and the present but declines 40 think' boldly about the future. The "Shang-hal Mind" sees no reason for constructive planning for the future. But, conditions have changed greatly'
the last ten years, and clearly, there will be rapid changes in our! environment in the next ten years. This article is a plea that we can assist @ gradual, evolutionary im= provement by having some con. structive discussion of the fulure of Shanghai. If we are content to be careless and indolent about our plan-hing for the next decade, we may. not see much improvement and Jevolutionary change may be supplanted by revolutionary change.
'At the "outset, let it be. clearly' understood that there need be no Silusions regarding certain fundamental hard facts. (a). The Seltlement has evolved from its earliest humble beginnings to its present im. portant position largely because of British diehards, (b), The adminis. teallon of the Settlement is founded on the Land Regulations, which are obviously archaic but which are not easily changed, (c). No one expects the rendition of the Settlement to Chinese sovereignty to be accomplished: in 1937, but the principle of Fendition has been largely accepted. At any rate, the Settlement in 1087 will be different from what it is in 1637, (@). Very few people are vitally] interested In a discussion at the present time of the future of Shanghai, Decause it is maintained that the Shanghai question is bound up with Targe international diplomatic prob-ems concerning which local citizens know little or nothing. There are powerful forces to be, feckoned with; what these forces are or what they may do or how to deal with them—these questions are outside the scope Jcnd ability of local reasoning. These are hard facts, Hence when one! ventures to raise the question of the future of Shanghai, the usual retort in—"Why bang your head against hoick wall? Nothing can be done. We must Just walt and sec On the other hand, the following golnts may be noted, (a), During the last five years, the City Government of Greater Shanghai has ace complished a great deal. Nowadays the average tourist is taken to seo the "Civie™ Centre," because It Is worth seeing, (b). The machInery of the Shanghai Municipal Council not unchangeable. In 1926 three Chinese Counelilors too ie their places the Council, and in 1090 this num ber was Increased to five, Moreover, the Council Is employing more local personnel and "has endeavored to Meet Chinese: aspirations "in several directions, og, In regard to educa tonal facilities. (e) Though the Settle. ment is run by a benevolent—oligarchy since the Seltlement is founded on the capitalist princlple—the- govern {ng body has-not been able to salisty the demands and eritielsms of fis citizens who have asserted their democratic rights by demanding improvements in the housing situation, Hlekshaw trafMle, provision of more parks, ele, (d). Two or three years ago, 'Mr. Harold Porter, in his election address suggested that progress might be achieved by enlarging some of the SAC, ¢ommittees. Mfr. Justice Feetham expressed the view that the Council' Is" undermanned, Several months ago, "The Times". asserted. that the "Shanghai question "will clearly require close examination before and when it is raised. but It is obvious that the dimeultios and possible dangers will only be mulllled by neglect."
Wo can have a feeling of hopetuless because there has been progress in the past decade, even though the nally problem of the Outside Roads a ry Inspection have not yet been solved. Taking courage from the past, we should plan resolutely for the future. A few summers ago the "North-China Daily News" had some. editorials on this subject having such titles as Shanghai's Future, Settlement Reform, Need for Action: and Practical Politics, From the one entitled Shanghai's Future we may quote these words: ind Beg a Med latin cee ae era The Sencerned vio "appoint " reeposaty mbistior for alt the Power Sei International the moment, Bia prosperity "his so largoly Feat Shanghai is now one of the great cities of the world; it 1s one of the aix largest cities of the world, Its population is rapidly approaching the four million mark, Like all big cities it has its good points and its bad points, Its future prosperity and welfare must be based upon the principle which das brought It to its present high estate, viz. international cooperation. That the three adminis trative entities should have greater cooperation is being continually urged, since most of the civie robloms such as transportation and beggars can be solved satisfactorily only if there Is closer cooperation. That great emphasis should be laid upon international cooperation within the confines of the Setttement, is also 'a commonplace. "We must adjust our ideas to the facts of to-day, and take Into consideration the probabilities of the future, 'The British and the 'Chinese have bean largely responsible for the growth of Shanghai. especially the International Settlement, and 'Peeauise of their important stakes they will continue to play a. pre: ponderant share in future' development. Yet a sense of responsibility in any institution is only fostered by the intelligent participation of all connected with it, and we should To. member that the first principle of munlelpal government is planning for the general good of the whole community. Hence greater international cooperation will promote Shanghai's future greatness, Following the sentiment expressed the editorial quoted above, would be possible for some of our local organizations to pool their influence and "endeavour. to create enlightened public opinion which then might urge the Council and national representatives (including~ Chinese) to set up a body to tackle that important problem—the future of the International Settlement? At any rate, if we are to full our obligations as citizens of one of the great cities of the world, we may well urge that a honest attempt in this direction be started, Shanghai, Feb, 0,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.