Something over a week ago, at the annual general meeting of the United Services Associ tion, reference was made to the filthy condition fof the Cenotaph. A recent inspection clearly showed that something ought to be done about it. The itinerant vendors should be kept away from the steps, which would prevent the whole area being littered up with all sorts of refuse, the unseemly hut abutting on the balustrade should be removed, and precautions taken against the use of the place as a urinal, which has, very obviously been done. Some years ago similar state of affairs was noticed and Femedial action applied, which now seems to have fallen off. That may have been due to the unprecedented condition of the Bund, since the outbreak of hostilities in this area, but it suggested that the time is long overdue for drastic reformation. After all it must be remembered that this War Memorial reminds Shanghai of the very solemn fact that lary numbers of its sons gave their lives for their Fespective countries. It was very solemnly dedicated, and stands on ground hallowed not only by. remembrance but actually by prayer. In the circumstances it is imperatively necessary that something should be done to better existing conditions, and in addition to what is already Suggested, it is felt that the practice of parking cars and lorries in front of the Cenotaph should algo be stopped. If it is not possible to maintain Adequate police protection of the Cenotaph, and ite Immediate surroundings, and in view of all the demands which are made upon the force that may be the case, then it ought not to be impossible to secure the services of duly appointed watchmen to do' the work. Present conditions "are a disgrace and call for the completest reformation. It is certainly not fitting that the city's principal m..ument, one representing what it does, should be allowed to continue in its present unfortunate state.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.