The Shanghai Municipal Council is not prepared to surrender any of its rights in the western extra-Settlement district, where now an impasse has existed for a month with regard tu policing and other civic matters, it was stated yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. Godfrey Phillips, Secretary and Commissioner-General of the S.M.C.
Mr. Phillips said in an intervi with the th-China Daily N that an impression had been created in some circles to the effect that the Council was gradually yielding fo pressure brought to bear by the "Special Municipality" under Mr. Fu Siao-en, whose heavy-armed policemen and tax-collectors have appeared in the area in large numbers.
The Shanghai Municipal Council has spent large amounts of money or the building and upkeep of roads and on civic improvements generally in the district. It is felt that, as a highly desirable residential area has een created in the west, the ratepayers who have contributed to this development are to be fully protected against encroachments and that therefore the rights and interests of the Council are to be carefully guarded there.
Police Strength Trebled made by the "North-y News" yesterday elicited e ion that the Settlement Police strength operating in the outside roads area has been nearly trebled since the present emergency arose. Available men have been drawn from other districts to safeguard the residents west of Avenue Haig and every possible police pretion has been taken by Mr. R. W. Yorke, Assistant Commissioner and Divisional Officer, and his staff.
As a result of these arrangements, there are sow three Settlement constables a! ery crossing up to 4 p.m., and five men from 4 o'clock until midnight. Police patrols, under foreigners or Indians, have been increased to six men in every instance. Besides, the S.V.C. armoured cars, operating in pairs, are a familiar sight on the outside roads.
The fullest ce-operation exists between the Settlement Police and the British and Italian troops in whose defence sectors the outside roads are situated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.