ROA
AN END TO THE SHANGHAI
TRENCHES."
THE CLOSING ORDER.
ΤΟ FINISH WITHIN ONE MONTH.
Lo response to the agitation on the part of the foreign community, the Chinese authorities have resolved that the Trenches" be closed, An import- ant part was played in this agitation by Mr. F. J. Schnhl. Commissioner of the 1.8. Court, who in a recent case remark- ed that he hoped that. Trenches" would be closed.
As a result of this agitation. which was brought to his attention, General Ho Feng-ling, Military Governor of Shanghai and Sung-kiang, issued orders to the Police and Law Courts under his juris- diction, instructing them to notify all proprietors of houses in the Trench" district that the places must be closed within a period of one month.
SURPRISING NEGLIGENCE. The order reads in part:-
"As the locality in question comes directly under our jurisdiction and administration, it is very surprising that the local authorities did not take steps to prohibit such business long ago in order to avoid criticism and attacks from foreigners..
If we wish to maintain our national dignity and the confidence which has been placed in us by both foreigners and our own people, we must get to the root of the trouble and do what we can to prevent such occurrences in future.
"Wherefore all concerned are hereby notified that these bars and dance halla are to be closed within a period of one month, failing which they will be forcibly closed and sealed up by the authorities. A licences are hereby withdrawn and business of this sort is forbidden hereafter."
In connection with this order, it will he interesting to note how the bar-rooms in the Trenches" are trying to evade the 12 o'clock closing law. The majority of the places are now provided with black curtains which they place before all windows so that no fight is seen from the outside. Thus, while seemingly valosed, they still carry on business inside as usual," What they will do when this order is enforced will be watched with interest.- FA. Daily Neira.
410
The Hong Kong Daily Press, January
gum, 1941.