The Salvation Army The Salvation Army's appeal for support from the Shanghai public, which many members of the community have received through the mails, tells in a. simple and impressive way Jof the great work which has been done by that organization among refugees and those hard hit by the present unusual situation around Shanghai, both Chinese and foreign, The appeal emphasizes the fact which is not always realized that the local branch of the Salvation Army is dependent upon. local contributions. And surely there never has been atime. in [Shanghai's history when expert relief work [was more sorely heeded. In ce-operation with [the International Relief Committee the Salvation Army has assisted in caring for over $3,000 Felugees since the outbreak of the trouble, Tu the foreign community. also, the demand for help has been greater than ever before, There late many new. foreigners who have come. to 'Shanghai, while many old residents have lost their Jobs or had their businesses ruined. These need "tiding over the depression period until they can find their fect again, and their needs form an additional drain-on' the community's charitable resources. In a leaflet which ne~ companies the appeal the Salvation Army des cribes its work under the heading of "The Seven Lamps." The first lamp is the Lamp of Faith, under which the aim Is to seek "to leave behind in the lives of those who it serves some tangible and permanent possession of increased power, physical, moral, and spiritual,—which Jenables them to meet the dliffculty themselves, The second Lamp ix that of Fellowship. The booklet says that many a man has found comradeship "in the friendly atmosphere of" the Men's Hostel at 7 Yang Terrace, though this has often been over-crowded of late, The Lamp lof Hope shines brightest in the Amoy Road [Men's Shelter, where it might be thought, that despair should reign, During last year 24176 fwarm beds have been provided for homeless men of all nationalities. Records at the local headquarters are brightly illuminated by the Lamp of Service. "These show, in the words fof the report, that there were 5,018 interview with applicants for assistance during the year. 'The service Nas bet varied; from the finding of lost. relatives. England and the USA., tothe supply thy dental plate toa needy applicant. and to. the burying' of the dead, One hundred and eighty four foreign families and 137 single men. and women were cared for. They were helped with ent, provisions, "bread order, oval, clothing medicines, ete, [Under this section also comes the work of the Rickshaw Mission, "which Is doing so much Jgo0d among one of Shanghai's most downtrod-Jden classes. The Army also supervises a vast work "of Healing: 178,000 out-patients "were foaled and 711 in-patients spent 149,520 days hospital under this section, Children have been taught under the Lamp of Knowledge, and the Jereat work is rounded off with personal care Jand sympathy for those in sorrow, or suffering, from disease, and those old and Infirm. There should be no need to add a word of backing to Jan appeal which is so self-evidently worthy, for "strikes an intimate chord in the always. generous heart of the Shanghai resident "Musical Chairs"
Letters have been appearing in the correspond lence columns criticizing the decision of the A.D.C.
present "Musical Chairs," which, contra Jenough, met with very considerable success, not only from the point of view of the aetinst but also because of the support which the public gave it. It must be admitted fra that the subject was not particularly pleas Jand there were probably many other etl plays which could have been produced. Thor nevertheless the danger that if, the critics made very much impression " poi the com= mittee of the ADE. their productions would run the danger of becoming much too "te fained." How far can the argument, that befeause something is wrong it should not be portrayed on the stage, be taken? Obviously no Jérama involving such a thing ay murder should ive produced, or a play dealing with a divorce trial, for one is a wicked act, and the other the Isequel 10 one. Opposed to that extreme view fis the other that" the theatrical art holds the mirror up to life, and mirrors it will remembered have the fault of being by far too leandid on occasion. Pretty tipe do use. ugly words, and fail even then to beautify them. Dut is it so serious an offence to demonstrate that fact on the stage? "The more liberal view would undoubtedly enter a denial. It is true that theatrical art need not be photographie of modes and morals, but if everything which is bad is 10 be denied the stage, then the sooner Dean Farvar's masterpiece is) dramatized the better for the world at lame. The real critieism of "Musical Chairs," it is suggested is that jis a sordid play and pointless withal, To that extent the A.D.C, may be considered to have committed. an error of judgment, but no more. Jand that in all probability nota grave one. for in such a place ax Shanghai there is 1 catholicity of taste to be catered for, Ineidentfally the correspondent today seems to infer that "The Beggar's Opera" was produced by the A.D.C, Such however is not the case, jo reference to the back of any of their pr grammes showing past productions will show. The assumption that many who saw it were not really conversant with the England of the time jit represented may be correct, but i place ike Shanghai probably somewhat rash, Spain as a vaward for the victory their help undoubtedly gave General Franco. Whether such a transaction eventuates or not, the negotiations will be watched with very' considerable interest in other parts of the world. They may foreshadow the trend of future [developments elsewhere.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.