In furtherance of H.E. the Ambas: broadcast appeal of June 29. and the sequently h the scheme for leiier of H.M. Consul-General issticd sub-
the establishment of a Voluntary War. Contribution Fund, the British Resident's Asthe week-end has sent to its members a circular, the contents of which appear elsewhere in this issue. is commended to the attention of all British readers in the hope that it. will move them to subscribe to the Fund to the full extent of their BRA. circular states inter The Fund will be used for the purchase of a squadron of aeroplanes to be. identified with the British community In this connection it is necessary to give a word of explanation to those numerous readers, who wrote in suggesting that the "North-China Daily News" should inaugurate an aeroplane fund similar to that operated with sch great success by its Hongkong contemporaries, and offering their services. The matter was very seriously considered, and it] was only in deference to official opinion on the matter that the suggestion was not im mediately acted upon. The fact that the proceeds of the Voluntary War Contribution Fund are to be devoted to the purchase aeroplanes receives this journal's heartiest support, and it is because of that that the Fund is warmly recommended to the attention of all British readers. Excellent as have been the results of the Central British War Fund, it has been realized that while the objects fo which the money has been devoted were thoroughly worthy, there was, and still is a large section of Britons in Shanghai who feel that they would like to know that at any rate some of the money they are able to subscribe is to be used for the specific purpose of hitting back at the enemy.
Now, the Voluntary War Contribution Fund, provides a suitable channel by which that desire can be fulfilled, and the gift of money, destined solely for the purpose of prosecute ing the war on the bodies and territories of the enemy, affords subscribers an opportunity of actively participating in this war, even though they cannot be on the scene of action. There can be no question of the duty of! every Briton in the present circumstances. Every dollar, nay, every cent which can possibly be spared must be sent on its way home to help swell the streams of money, which loyal Britons the world over are sending to the Motherland to assist her struggle to final victory. Indeed it would be well if at times money, which cannot be convenient ly spared, should go towards the same end, for it is not only a question of giving, but of giving until it hurts. To quote the words of Nurse Cavell, who made the great sacrifice for her country in the last war, "Patriotism. is not enough." There must be works behind it, and those who cannot bear a rifle, ly an aeroplane, or man a gun, those, irking. under that discipline which insists that they shall remain where they are until the Government needs them, are now given an opportunity 0 indulge in works. It may not be. wholly satisfactory to them, but if their pro~ testations fu the past are what they are be~ Hieved to be, and there can be no question about it, the time has come for self-denial those little things which make life so con= venient, in order that the British war chest shall be kept filled. Fifty thousand pounds as a lump sum may seem ridiculously small when compared with the huge sums which are being spent daily in the course of this struggle. Nevertheless, it is fifty thousand pounds which will be'used for the purpose Of defeating the enemy, for supplying those men in the air with the material with which to continue to wage the struggle. tis a splendid idea that the British commu China should subscribe towards an a fund. It may be possible to ensure that the craft so provided may be handled by China boys, some of whom have already di ed themselves so finely in this war.
The Voluntary War Contribution Fund is commenced with the idea of immediately securing a lump sum to remit home as a first gesture and monthly remittances after= wards. The amount suggested may seem a large one in view of the state of exchange, but it is not impossible to reach. It will require a considerable effort on the part of a community which has already done well, but it cannot be believed that there will be any failure to respond heartily to the appeal which has been made. There is not a Eriton worthy of the name who does not wish he could be at home, if not to fight, at least to share the perils of his fellow Subjects, not one who. does not anxiously watch the progress of the war and wish he could do something more. Providence has east his lot elsewhere, and must perforce serve by standing and waiting. The Ambassador, the Consul-General and the B.RA. show that he can do something more. By assisting in providing aeroplanes Britons in China will be contributing to that. great battle in the air upon which this war may be decided. Britain has predominance at sea. She must secure it in the air, not only'
the destruction of the enemy machines,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.