The Question of Billing To the Editor of the "Nonm-Cynva Darcy News"
Sir—Like many others in these days of stress and trouble, I doing my utmost to keep solvent and smiling whilst, perforce, counting every cent, When the Electricity Company put their surcharge up to 120.02 per cent, on accounts billed from September 1 I pulled the old belt a bit tighter and prepared to pay the difference for September without a comment, Dut Thad missed that small word "billed," consequently, when Feeeived my account for the period from August 5 to September the surcharge of 120 per cent. was charged for the 26 days of August, On ringing up the Company was informed that It was unfortunate that I came in the cycle of customers billed on or after September 1, had Then billed on or before August 31 1 would only have had to pay a 49 per cent, surcharge, "but," said informant, "you will be the one of the first to benefit if and when the surcharge is abolished."
This ts of no interest to me, by that time several things may have happened to me, I may no longer be 'a householder or hoping that a shortage of coal may have an effect on the temperature of the place T am then occupying," but Tecan ill spare the money now that is being taken from me in such a blatant manner.
Sm—To the deepest disappointment and sorrow of all peace-loving people, the German-Polish war has now finally broken out. Whether the present fighting will only confine to the two parties or will develop to become a. major European war. en-rely rests with Hitler. "I have written two letters in this column urging the peaceful settlement of the Danzig dispute, but now all hopes are in vain. Here I" want utter some words to the German Fuehrer, asking him to avert a tragic catastrophe at the last minute, For the sake of world peace of his own country and of his personal safety and reputation, Hitler should Immediately and unconditionally stop the hostilities. A major European war is harmful to human elviliza~ on, is dangerous to the German Reich and, above all, is fatal Hitler's political career." In this letter, T intend to explain only the second and third points.
First, let us ask what are these countries Hitler can really depend upon? Italy, the Reich's only ally, has decided not to take the initiative in the war, It is admitted that as the circumstance changes Italy may eventually come to Germany's assistance. But assuming that Italy oes join, the situation does not necessarily turn to be favourable "to Germany. Italy cannot send troops fo the main war front. Her navy has the disadvantage -of being position where it Is easily to be encircled by the British and French Meet in the Mediterranean. Italy's air force may be an, important factor, but it most take time and money and distance for the Italien aeroplane to bomb Paris, Warsaw or London. Regarding the financial help, Germany can expect nothing from Italy, Other axis Powers as Japan, Spain, have formally at many times' declared that neutrality their policy. This is apparently due fo the fact that Germany signed a non-aggression pact with Russia without first consulting with them.
Second, Jet us see what are the attitudes' of these small neutral countries Aoward the Reich? Hungary, Rumania and Yugoslavia are theta Balkan countries, who are more or less under the shadow of the German aggression. Although at the present moment they remain neutral, yet when Germany is tired of fighting with her enemies, these small countries will unhesitatingly join the democratic front for the Purpose of driving out Hitler, the No. 1, Bad Boy in Europe, of the stage of world polities. They are convinced that if Hitler controls Poland, they themselves will become the Fuehrer's next victim. This can be applied in the same accuracy to the case of Belgium and Holland.
Third, Jet us look what is the inter. nal situation within the Great Germany itself? A great number of s0- dalists whose friends and relatives have been either killed or imprison-fed by the Nazi secret police will never for a moment forgive Hitler! Besides those personal enemies of Hitler, as the followers of General Schleicher, also will never forget their mission of revenge. Outside Germany proper, in Austria, in Sude-fenland, in Bohemia and in' Moravia, the hatred of the local inhabitants toward Germany and Hitler is becoming deep and deep, Internal disturbance and civil revolt are to be expected to happen at any time.
Fourth, let us inquire, by way of contrast, what is the situation in the democracies? Great Bri and France are united from the bottom to top. That they will never se-atate is beyond doubt. As to Poland, under the threat of foreign aggression and with the help of friendly allies, she is determined to use all her force to resist invasion to the bitter end. Moreover, there is the U.S.A. who is favouring the action of' the democracies and doing every effort, other than war, to help them. It 1s also within possibility that at the ap. propriate time she will join in the war, 'To conclude, a general European war can do no' good to Germany, but do harm to Hitler. Germany asa great country, of course, will never be destroyed as the consequence of war. But the Hitlerian regime is bound to be changed. Personally, I respect Germany os a great nation: T love Germans as an excellent peopl But now I cannot help saying Hitler has gone into a wrong way. Lord Holifux once declared, "History records many attempts to impose domination over Europe—but all have terminated in disaster." My honourable and respectful Herr Hitler, remember this!
Shanghai, Sept. 11, Shanghai, Sept. 3.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.