In Nanking, although there has been no official reply, reaction 1s understood to have been, on the whole, favourable and this fact has been noted with satisfaction.
The proposals for the mutually agreed withdrawal of forces, now in conflict, from the Shanghai zone were made with a view to securing the isolation, from the war-like operation, of the International Settlement where many countries and Britain, in an outstanding measure, have very large financial commercial and industrial interests and where a large population resides.
The British authorities are providing protection for their nationals gainst attack, but so long as hostiliies are actively pursued around the Concessions there can be no assurance against accidental death or injury. Precaution is being taken,. therefore, of evacuating women and children whose temporary absence will not cause great inconvenience.
The author of the story, however, which has received some circulation, that there is discussion of the evacua ation of all British civilians. from Shanghai would seem to have overlooked the categorical statement by the Ministers, after their meeting last Tuesday, that they had decided to take all possible measures to protect the safety of the British in the International Settlement, and to secure British interests there.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.