The chief hindrance to a resumption of foreign trade—and there are many—is that all applications will have to be authorized by the Superintendent of Customs and that such applications cannot be granted by the Commissioner without we former's approval. Apart from the inconvenience caused, it is felt that he holds a political post and thus his decisions may be biased.
On the whole, in view of the many regulations and restrictions, and owing to the fact that Whampoa is still a closed port, the opening of river to third Power trade is considered as an empty gesture.
Some sources, however, express the opinion that this in the first step in the process of gradually permitting a resumption of normal trade. Before this stage is reached, however, many facilities will have to be restored, such as the unrestricted sailings of foreign vessels, non-interference with the functions of the Commissioner of Customs.—Reuter.
French Train Accident Paris, May 4.
Twenty-one persons were killed and 25 injured when a train was; Gerailed near Bourges in central France as a result of a bridge under which the train was passing collapse ing on it.—Reuter.
New York, May 4, A new peace effort by President Roosevelt is forecast by the Washington correspondent of the "New York Daily News."
The President's "immediate effort," says: the correspondent, is to stop the war spreading to Italy, and the Mediterranean, The correspondent adds that Mr. Roosevelt intends launching his peace effort before Germany strikes on a new front, The writer suggests the President's plan is to sound neutrals, including Italy, also the Vatican, in an effort to determine if there {5 a chance for negotiating peace before the entire Continent is embroiled in war.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.