June 18.
Shanghai has been grievously shocked during the past few days, firstly, by the murder of Mr. R, d'Auxion de Ruffé, and secondly, by the slaying of Mr. Chikayuki Akagi, Special Deputy Commissioner of Police, who met his death at the hands of Chinese assassins yesterday morning in the Western Special Area. What lies behind the killing of Mr. de Rufté is not at present known, and until investigations have been completed it is, perhaps, just as well to suspend judgment as to the reasons for it. But in the case of Mr. Akagi, his nationality leaves no room for doubt that his assassination was for political motives, or as to the people behind it, Mr, Akagi, met his.end as a very brave man. 'Though' wounded in the head he dismounted from his motor car and sought to ive battle to his assailants, and it was not Until he received a bullet wound in the abdomen that he re-entered his car and directed his chauffeur to drive him to the Country Hospital. He died within a very short while. Fortunately one of the murderers was captured by the prompt action of Mr. Shorrock of the Western Special Police Force, This may mean that more definite information, will be made available concerning those who are responsible for carrying on at least tone side of the campaign of assassination which, unfortunately appears to have been resumed again, after a period of quiescence. It is not the first time-that this journal has had to deplore these repeated assassinations, or to condemn those who are responsible not only for the actual slaying, but those whose guilt is all the greater as inspirers of these crimes., Nothing can be more foolish than to believe that the murdering of an individual can advance any cause, and with regard to the murder of Mr. Akagi the crime seems completely senseless one devoid of any real purpose whatever. It has been reported that the captured man alleges that he was sent into the Shanghai area with instructions to shoot any Japanese he met.
If that story is true nothing could be more futile. The assassins apparently knew no more than that they were to murder a Japanese. Apparently the Western Special Area was chosen for the scene of this attempt the belief that it was easier to commit the crime and make an escape. But conditions in that area have changed during the past few months, and the efficient work of the police has led to a capture being effected. If this assassination was designed as a blow inst -the Japanese ib is stupid in the extreme. All the assassinations which have taken place during the past four years on one side or the other have completely fatled to change the manner in which the history of this country, is developing. The fact that Mr, Akagi was a Special Deputy Commis-stoner of the Shanghai Municipal Police may, or may not have had anything to do with this attack upon him. But whether that is the case or not those behind this murder must surely know that there are plenty of courageous Japanese who will take up his work where he has been compelled to lay it down, Brave men are not deterred from doing what they conceive to be their duty by these acts of terrorism. That applies with equal force no matter what political question is at Issue, and it does not matter whether a murder is aimed against Chungking or Nanking, there is not one up to the present which has had any effect whatsoever than to arouse the great disgust of those who realize that nothing is ever settled by such unlawful proceedings. For the rest it remains to be said that Mr. Akagi proved himself a most efficient officer of the Municipal Police. He was well liked by his colleagues as a man of charming personality, and there will be grief in the force over his untimely death. To his widow the sincerest condolences are extended in her tragic bereavement in which save for exceptional luck she also might have been involved. For those responsible for this most disgraceful affair there can be nothing but the completest condemnation; it marks an irresponsibility entirely out of Keeping with the commonly accepted characters of men who claim the right to government,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.