The sad manner in which conditions have deteriorated in the western district within the perimeter was amply indicated by the hold-up of a number of foreigners on Columbia Road on Wednesday night. As has already been pointed out this is by far the boldest crime which has been perpetrate ed in this area for a very long time past, is clear proof of the lengths to which these gangs will go in their criminal pursuits and that the existence of these people in that area constitutes a definite menace to the safety of the law-abiding residents. From inquiries it appears that the bad characters who used formerly to operate in Chapei and Nantao have now gathered in the Western district. Many are attached to the armed guards of the gambling dens, taking time off occasionally to perpetrate an odd crime or so, Others have merely organized themselves into gangs, and are responsible for all sorts of robberies which are of daily oe: currence. While it is true that the Munici pal Police have jurisdiction over the outside roads running through the area, they cannot exercise any authority off them. That was formerly the work of the Bureau of Public Safety, which before, the outbreak of hostilities carried out their duties in a comparatively efficient manner. They were armed and properly fitted to deal with the criminal. Their functions have since been taken over by the Ta Tao police, a body of men, carrying batons, who do not operate after dark. If they did, being without weapons they would be useless against the armed desperado, and the fact of the matter is that the large area between the Settlement boundary and the perimeter, except for the strictly limited activities of the Municipal Police, is left completely unprotected. Indeed it is no great exaggeration to state that the area on the other side of the railway, despite the guerillas, is probably better so far as crime is concerned than the district closer to the Settlement That no fewer than seven foreigners were held up and robbed is sufficient proof not only of the existence of these gangs, but of their audacity, for it is the biggest robbery of its type that has been committed for very many years past. Its significance arises from the fact that in that district there is a very large number of foreign residents who in the prevailing circumstances can only be afforded a limited amount of protection, for while the gangster can commit his crime on a municipal road, a very few steps indeed takes him out of the jurisdiction of the foreign police, and gives him a form of security which should be terminated at the shortest possible notice. Let there be no mistake about it: the responsibility for this crime lies fairly at the door of the Ta Tao Government and gives rise to the question as to how much real authority that new constituted body really does possess. If it has any at all, the devising of proper methods for the maintenance of the peace in this area should present no formidable difficulties, but, of course, if it has none, then similar occurrences can be expected until drastic steps are taken by someone or other to put a stop to it. It may be argued that the Ta Tao government being of very recent establishment cannot be expected to give the necessary attention to all the matters which-have passed under its control, but, surely, the maintenance of peace and good order is one of the first duties of any government, no matter how young it may be. Indeed it is one of the first essentials, and the fact that there is no better protection provided than such which permitted the commission of such a crime must call for severe condemnation. Obviously if such an outrage can be committed with impunity there is no reason why other, and perhaps more grievous crimes should not take place, and it is quite clear that the deterioration of conditions in the district in question is a matter which should receive the earliest possible attention from the Chinese authorities most nearly concerned.
A suggestion has been made that perhaps the British troops might undertake patrolling the outside area. It does not appear to be a function which they could properly be expected to perform, and, even if they could, mere patrolling of the outside roads without the ability to follow the criminals off them into their lairs would render such work to a very great extent nugatory. That does not mean to say that the present conditions should be accepted with resignation. If ever there were a case which calls for immediate, strong action it is surely this one, and it ought to be possible, in view of all the prevailing circumstances to arrive at some sort of temporary working t with the Ta Tao Government, as it does not appear to be able, ly to carry on, iisel—whereby the Settlement police could give that extra necessary assistance which would speedily correct the present criminal tendencies to be seen in that district.
It should, for example be possible to stamp out the gambling dens which constitute a focus point for the criminal classes. There should be no real objection to united' action being taken to effect a house-to-house search of those villages where the bad characters are known to live. Ca-operation between the two administrations, even if only for the duration of the hostilities, should be sought in the general interest of good order. But if that cannot be arranged, then the responsibility will still remain with the Ta Tao Government to prove to the rest of Shanghai that it is an organization fully capable to exercising its authority, for, if it cannot do so, it most certainly does not justify its claim to the name. One thing has to be emphasized; there can be no excuse for the perpetuation of such conditions as prevail off the outside roads at the present moment. Wednesday night has clearly demonstrated potentialities far graver than that which has taken place, and if, unhappily, one of these nights a tragedy occurs the responsibility resting upon the authorities concerned. will indeed be a heavy one.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.