To the Editor of the *Norra-Cimwa Dany News"
Sm,—Since Mr. Mare Greene's letter which you published a few days ago re the Russians, I have read, not with little attention, the many replies to it. That goes very well as "far as the Russians are concerned.
Now this letter of mine is not intended to arouse the ire of members of another nationality, but is simply intended to draw their attention to the increasing inactivity and total lack: of interest in matters concerning their personal future and the future of their children. I am referring to the Portuguese Community of Shahghai.
The pioneer settlers of this city, they have helped to build Shanghai from a, muddy village it was into this sixth modern and largest city of the world; they have, together with the British, Americans, French, Germans and others, helped to make Shanghai the centre of the world trade that it is today. In other words, they have ce-operated, financially and otherwise, for the welfare of Shanghai and yet..and yet what do they have? Nothing that they can boast of except two or three national associations, whereas others who have come much later than them have all, Why? Because there has always been that peculiar lack of interest, lack of union and lack of confidence amongst them.
One striking example is when a Portuguese lad leaves school. As soon as he leaves school he lays aside his books, indulges himself in sports, cinemas, clubs, dancing and calling on friends and girl friends. Included in this should also be the time he looks about for a job. And his books? Taboo with them! Try to induce him to learn something else whilst looking for a job and you will probably be told that he has had enough of studies whilst in school. Question him about his professional aspirations and, he will probably tell you that his uncle could place him in one of the banking establishments. Of his education, only English he knows, with a smattering of accounts whilst three per cent, of his schoolmates may know an additional language, viz. French. At home he speaks English although his father or mother may have learnt Portuguese years ago at Macao. Of history he will probably know of- Queen Victoria's period, this I can say because only recently I heard a youngster saying that perhaps it was Sir Robert Clive who discovered the way to India. Imagine the shivers D. Vasco da Gáma would have.at hearing such u "blasphemy."
Who is to be blamed for this lad's deficiency? Certainly not him. Is the school he used to attend to be blamed for it? Partly yes, and partly not. The people who should shoulder all the blame are his parents because they Have allowed him to take it easy with his studies and for their failure to encourage: him to take up some other studies besides English.
And then another thing this, The "Portuguese people out here, without, practically, anything of their own, say too many things against their Government, and through their talk they discourage their young ones to learn what should prove to be useful to them, like if they study now the Portuguese language they may have a future guaranteed if they are obliged to migrate to any of the Portuguese colonies where good prospects are in store for them. Naturally, when the youngsters hear their elders' talk they think that the only refugitim pecatorum is Shanghai, and here they stick, and as they grow older, marry and raise children, the same old talk against their Government begins again and is carried on from generation to generation whilst the children of other nationalities grow wiser and get the best of everything.
I know that this letter of mine will be the subject of talk amongst members of the local Portuguese community (also from a few others outside Shanghai), but can they deny that what is stated above is not true, and can they or will they try to remedy the situation?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.