Rightly is issue joined with those who criticize the pleas made on behalf of dumb animals at a time when distress among human beings is so poignantly great. No-one would countenance that curiously warped mentality which delights in setting off elaborate affection for dogs or other animals against a callousness or indifference to the sufferings of fellow-men and women. That is, however, not the characteristic of the true lover of animals nor of the Shanghailanders who at this moment desire to advocate attention to the plight of many unfortunately abandoned pets. That there is need for the greatest possible effort to cope with the urgent problems of which the streets are painfully eloquent no-one can deny. Yet it is altogether desirable that some goodwill should be spared for creatures which have neither tongues to voice their grievances nor the means to protect themselves against misfortune. The number of stray dogs, of all descriptions haunting certain parts of the ci must be noticeable to the most casual observer.
The police are presumably doing their best to round them up and provide for their painless removal. There are also other dogs for whom provision should be made whether in the way of finding homes or of also putting them out of their misery. It should not be forgotten that the spectacle of an abandoned dog is in itself an indictment of human thoughtlessness. Shanghai has reason to be glad that its Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is endeavouring to devote its energies and resources to this problem. Nor should there be neglect of the proper means to help that organization, despite the heavy calls elsewhere. Membership or a donation to its funds (Mr. R. N. Swann, 17 The Bund is chairman and hon. treasurer) is an effective gesture of sympathy just now. This journal is completely impenitent in making this suggestion. It does not thereby weaken the demand for charitable assistance to humanity; in fact it ventures to consider that. it actually broadens the basis of humane endeavour by pointing out the way to relieve suffering which, if ignored, can only breed heartlessness.
Bedfellows "Is it not high time some action was taken to ameliorate the sufferings of the vast number of residents of this Colony, who, wishing to communicate with their fellows in other parts of the globe, have no option but to rely on the exceedingly unsatisfactory local Post Office administration to carry out this work."
No, you're all wrong! This was not written for a Shanghai newspaper, but for one in Hongkong clu ig The Slight Difference From cur Chinese controlled contemporary:—
The Chinese community in Shanghai has always been law-abiding. Not unmindful of the temporary refuge which has ironically been provided by the foreign administrative areas, it is ready 10 abide by the considered policy of the Council in order to preserve local peace and order Unquestionably the situation is delicate, and delicacy requires tact in sure the Counci wil not be found wanting Not ironically, but, rather, very fortunately!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.