To the Editor of the "Nonru-Cunna Dany News?
Sim—A correspondent who signed himself Bexevournt Neonat. has described as "a senseless war" the condition that is now In danger of resulting from the Sino-Japanese hostilities in the North, and in your leading article to-day you ponder the question whether it is already too late for commonsense and self-res-Araint to find a means of escape from what may prove a disaster for both the nations concerned.
AS you suggest, China's attitude can. easily Understood. Tt is a matter of a "cruelly unfair menace to her security" General Chiang Kal-shek has already achieved much breaking the sequence of perennial civil wa and of late has been able to appeal with a considerable measure of success to feelings of Chinese patriotism, National unity in China is growing, and local allegien ces are by ogrees yielding to ihe Inuence of Nanking. But the function of the leader is to lead, and Chinese citizens, not fire-cating' students, but businessmen of naturally Pacific inclinations, are mow askin how much longer the Central Government can be. content to stand aloof while the process of territorial erosion in the North goes on, They realize that China is in no condition feverishly engaged in warlike preparations? And what about "the prined Japanese reservists the main force of which is drawn. from the SJupanese population in and around the Hongkew area? To what extent, in your opinion, would the cause of neutrality be furthered by the pre~ sence of armed Japanese _seniries and patrols along North Szechuen Jand other roads? To the best of memory, North Szechuen Road still a" part of the International Settlement although recent events tend to impress the observer that it, together with a great part of Hongkew, 1s fast becoming "somebody's private concession." And do you consider the Settlement's new-trahly violated if the Japanese should choose to land their troops at Way-Side Wharf and mount their guns in Hongkew Park? They did so in 1932. What is fo prevent them from doing so again should hostilities break out here now?
In short, what constitutes the menace to the neutrality bf the Set~ Uement—the unnecessary and annoy-Ing display of military power which Jdisturbs the whole population or the and orderly activities of some civil organizations who ure only engaged in raising funds for the N {ional Treasury and collecting "com-{forts for the wounded soldiers, and who bother no one but. their own nationals? The fact that the "Red Maries" of our Settlement Police are no match for the tanks and armoured cars of the Japanese Landir Forces Sm=—In your valuable paper of August 6 the author of "A Country Diary" under date of August 2 describes the well known sand pits made by the larvae of the insect popularly known as the ant-lion, and scienti-cally as Myrmeleon. The imago or perfect insect of this species may be seen at such -places as Peltaho or 'Weihaiwei fying round the electric Tights at night, oF resting on the ceil ing or walls of the verandah during the day, It looks something like a Jdragon-fy, but may easily be distinguished' by the fact that when at rest It folds its wings back over its [long abdomen instead of holding them out at right angles to the body as does the dragonafly. Also it has, [distinct antennae, which are so small in the dragonfly as scarcely to be noticeable. "It is of a drab grayish brown colour, the lacy wings being rather beautifully mottled. It is a close relation of the dobson-fly or hheligramite (Corydalis cornutus), 50 well known to fly sherman, and also to the lovely little green lacewings (Chrysopa), which Is very common our Shanghai gardens in summer. Ail belong to the order Neuropters, or nerve-winged insects.
The author of "A Country Diary" is perfectly correct in his description of the ingenious means used by the Yarva of the ant-lion to capture its prey, which consists chieay of ants—hence its name—although any other inseey which happens to wander into pit suffers the same fate as the vafortunate ant. The little pits in the sand may be found at any sea~
SmI find the discussion which is faking place In the correspondence columns of your paper, on the sub-Jeet of the Income Tax, particularly fas. itis applied to the Russian refugees, both interesting and instruc tive, and would venture to add my own opinion and feelings thereon.
It is said that logic, in order to be sound, must be based upon truth and consciousness and must also be in harmony with humane feelings, When not based on these essentials it is unsound and, when, as in the case of Mu, Kao Kwox's reasonings, it is fppesite to them, then it changes to cynicism, Our ate great political leader, Eleftherios Venizelos, when once offered by the representative of a Great Power a tempting inducement to lead Greece to commit an infamous act, replied that Greece was too small country to permit herself to perpetrate stich an act, But weak nations ust not only avoid such acts and be ready, on all occasions, to manifest clean' sportsmanlike spirit in their ealing, but must also. show their generous disposition and sympathy towards such minorities as happen to, be within their country and under their control.
The Russian refugees are people who have fled from their country to escape oppression and persecution. and, as stich, they deserve support and protection, especially since most fof them are sill suffering privations fand are struggling for their existence Ssu-—The article in your paper of June'21, "The Retirement Prospects Discussed" has made a profound im> pression on me.
is quite true that foreign families must save their money for the rainy day end must not only think about the future welfare of their children but also consider their health, I am living now in a perfect paradise and wish to tell the readers of the "North China Dally News" all about it. 'This paradise—Mr. Yan~ /kovsky's estate in Novina, is only a three days' journey from Shanghai, The lovely valley of the river Shuotsu is a place with great future where a country house and a lot of Jand may be bought for a very reasonable price. Lovely cottages are built in a very short time, North Korea is famous for its mild climate and beautiful scenery. It has attracted the attentions of Europeans In large towns and is certainly an ideal place of rest after the stutly fofiees. A quiet and healthy life is led by people who come to the land of "Morning Calm", The estate Novina is situated in a beautiful valley of the mountain river Shuolsu, which forms many pleturesque waterfalls in the rocky mountains. The Ompo hot springs fare famous for their influence on the health.
Novina is only at an hour's distance {rom the port Seishin which is grow= ing very rapidly, The railway con-rections of the place are very good fand lovers of swimming may make to wage an international war, but they "argue that "it thee country linger observance nee nearengy {ima preferably "under, some dif course, "deserves all" prac" and [which i ltusted at hat an hours fs no reason why the bur revert well® above ligh water under great* handicaps, Ching, of vss to, the seaside estate In Tyken
inst love anyway. "least It i [ull ta open me Chinen any wi
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.