To the Editor of the "Nortu-Cmna Day News"
5w,—N Mr. H. H. Suao's views as expressed in his letter "Too Late" published in to-day's issue of the N.C.DN. are those held by responsible Chinese official circles then it does seem rather hopeless to expect cessation of hostilities.
Suao, in common with many of his countrymen, and observers of other nationalities, is of the opinion that a protracted war will exhaust Japan's financial resources.—That may be the case ín the long run, but the question is how long will it take?
The same view was held by many orsons at the beginning of the World ar in 1914, the period of financial exhaustion being put at six months at the most. Yet the war went on for four long weary years and less than twenty years later we find a world better armed, better prepared and far more ready for war than in 1914. Financial cortsiderations do not therefore appear to be as decisive as. many people suppose.
Mr. Suao repeats the outworn fable that Shanghai would not have been involved if the SM.C. and the Foreign Powers had not connived at the use of the International Settlement as a base for Japanese operations. Unfortunately as at reasonable people know the S.M.C. has no forces of its own with which to maintain neutrality and the Foreign Powers are gravely preoccupied with other and more vital problems of their own It is a matter of hístorical fact that the Chinese troops Pao An Tui were the first to violate last. July the neutral zone created after the 1932 incident. In 1927 when the British found it necessary to send troops to protect their nationals, who were then the object of Chinese attack, the Settlement was necessarily used by them as a base. I do not know of any protest having been made at the time. Surely Mr. SmAo cannot hold the view that measures of defence are of necessity barred to any particular nationality in Shanghai which may have the misfortune to incur Chinese omnify for the time being.
As to Mr. Smao's contention that the creation of a free city of Shanghai would violate China's Sovereign Rights, I thought I had made it clear that the suggestion was that China should do Zo of her own free will, with adequate safeguards for future rendition, in which case the question of violation of Sovereign Rights does not arise. Free cities and neutral zones are quite usual methods of dealing with difficult problems of the type presented by this international city. Any arrangement must be better than the existing state of affairs which can only lead to final This can be answered by the same statement above. disaster.
British PEACEMAKER
And: Shanghai, Sept. 23.
"There is only one practical way in which this can be done. namely the creation of a neutral zone of ce siderable extent within which Shanghai will continue to existoand to expand naturally with the growth of her trade, industry and nopnlation. The Chinese should agree to create and maintain under International Treaty, this neutral zone for a definite period of years and a small international force should be maintained for a short preliminary period as a Wuarrantee of neutrality... creating Such. zone and if considered desirable making it or some part of it into a free port..
Ridiculously, we doubt as if Shanghai were belonging to some other nations and not China so that someone is suggesting to establish neutral zone in that area. Why should we let an international force be placed in that area and not the Chinese soldiers, the owners of their own territory? Every time, when a neutral zone or a freeport was established: China lost the power to rule over that area. China has been handicapped in all aspects by the completion of a neutral zone. The loss of Fengtai and Charhar Were fairly good examples: Why should we take the same foolish step. again?
And finally:
That the headquarters of all Chinese Government organs, many of Which are situated, in the, existing foreign settlement area should se re-Moved to the capital as it would be incongruous for such organs to fune-
As regard to this, it is more funny. The foreigners have no business and right to be held responsible for any
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.