* * * * • We venture to say that if
Mr. Ramsay MacDonald were Prime Minister, and the facts which are now becoming fully known were laid before him, he certainly would not take the risk of letting it be said that innocent persons had been killed at Shanghai, though he had been warned of the danger. As we pointed out last week the force which is on its way to China is not equipped for *any. offensive movement whatever. It has no field artillery. We are told by •scildiers, who know something Of Shanghai and its native population, that Our strength of a little more than 20,000 men by no means errs on the ample side. We say in effect to the Chinese," We will draw •up an agreement with you by which we will place .the Concessions in your custody. But we cannot suddenly leave them unprotected." Surely that is perfectly fair and reasonable. No doubt in a country where "saving face" is of vast significance, and appearances are solemnly given the ithportance of realities, it may be possible and even desirable to do something to save Mr. Chen's face and help him against himself. But whatever is done must certainly not deprive the people of Shanghai of proper protection. If the policy of protection is right it is right, and that is all that can be said about it.
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