1938-06-01 — Page 10

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THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 1, 1938

The China Mail

Ninety-Third Year of Publication

macchiavellan hardheartedness to fight. It is impossible to go on throwing bricks at a government. which proves itself quite rea-

8A Wyndham Street, Hong Kong.sonable in the last test.

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History

When Henry Ford in an un- guarded moment some years ago expostulated that "History is bunk!" he brought down on his head the censures and chidings of

Hong Kong, Wednesday, June 1, 1938. editors, patriots and savants. But

EVICTIONS AT AN END

now comes confirmation of that sentiment from H. G. Wells, so well known for his "Outline of History." Mr. Wells, apparently in a mood of disillusionment over the League of Nations, is report- Another legend has been des-ed to have told an English au- troyed by the announcement that dience that he agreed with Mr. Government has decided to intro- Ford's. remark.

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duce legislation at a special meet- The motor manufacturer, it ing of Legislative Council to-day may be recalled, explained that designed to restrict eviction with- what he meant was that the way out cause. Out of the failure to most history was taught made it take action, in the face of long-little better than buncombe-the continued public agitation and implication being that too much recrimination against landlords of written history deals with and the gradual accumulation of wars and destruction, and too lit- undeniable facts revealing hard-tle with the folk-ways and con- ships and victimisation, had structive activities of mankind. grown up some sort of resigned It is a coincidence that the Bri- belief that public opinion in Hong tish author's support should come Kong went for nothing and that at a time when Mr. Ford has par- precisely nothing could be expect-ticipated in a conference with ed of an Administration designed President Roosevelt which may to protect the interests of the write a paragraph of the kind of privileged few. This view, hap-productive history in which be pily, has to be hastily revised and believes.

it will doubtless be succeeded by History has indeed too often an atmosphere of forgivefulness and too largely concerned itself and forgetfulness, always pro- with the disagreements, antagon- vided that the proposed legisla-isms and conflicts of mankind and tion is not so drafted as to allow has not always stopped to note the skilful lawyer to drive through when they agreed or got together it the proverbial coach and pair. for helpful purposes. If the At the moment of writing, no de-meeting of the Roosevelt and the tails are available. It is presum-Ford points of view should result ed, however, that, restriction of in putting thousands of men to eviction will be, to some extent, work, that would be a very whole- retrospective, and that the new some kind of history. And even ordinance will include provision in the international field which for rent control also. No legal pains Mr. Wells, it is not impos- control of eviction is possible un-sible as shown in a certain wry less some such provision is made. way by the Anglo-Italian agree- The law would be worthless did ment-for a bridging of gaps to it place it within the powers of take place that will bring world a landlord to provide cause for co-operation nearer and prove di- eviction by the simple process of plomatic history need not all be increasing his rent demands to a "bunk." level which the tenant must eventually find it impossible to pay.

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Charing Cross Road

Cross

Those are details, however, which must necessarily be left for study when the draft bill is

London's famous street of sec- available. In the meantime, the ond-hand bookshops, the Charing community will breathe relief Cross Road, is being invaded. The that something is at last to be haberdashers are ousting the done and prepare to convey thanks booksellers. The browser, if he were thanks are due. There is be a learned browser, will surely ground for much satisfaction on regret the substitution of collars all hands. The democratic tinge for scholars; and even if he be in the local form of government one who can only say, with Mr. is difficult to discern, but it W. H. Davies, works. The public discovers that When I went down past Charing the voice of public opinion, ex- A plain and simple man was I, pressed, by circumstances, chiefly his simple tastes will scarcely re- through the medium of the local lish the change from print to newspapers, can at all times make cambric. Nor will those who itself heard in official quarters watch zealously to preserve the when community welfare is un-old traditions be appeased by any deniably at stake, as in this case. attempt of the haberdashers to It is a pleasing fact, too, that offer a sock to Cerberus. many who have taken an active Nevertheless, although London, part in pressing the case for as lovers of the time-honoured action have been individuals with and picturesque never cease to re- no axe to grind and not them-mind us, is changing rapidly-al- selves affected by the difficulties though the aspect of the streets, besetting so many local residents, and sometimes, of late, their an- For our part, we rejoice in anti- cient names, alter from day to cipation with the public at large. day-it is surprising how deeply Our pleasure it is true, might be rooted are associations with a said to be mitigated by trade or profession. Fleet Street one slight, and purely self-with its presses, Harley Street ish feeling of regret, at the dis-with its doctors, Savile Row for appearance of a delightfully hor, clothes, and many others are still, rible Aunt Sally. We have been as much as ever, current syno- robbed, as it were, of controversy nyms for the work that is carried on a particularly sharp focal-on there; and as yet this new point in local politics, and of a mood of haberdash and daring comfortable illusion that we had seems not very widespread.