Original letter [Chinese] to Secretary from "a resident in Shanghai" Dated 25th April 1943 (No address) - Moral degeneracy. Shanghai, April 25, 1943. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3821 (0393-0395)

Translation of letter to Secretary from "a resident in Shanghai" Dated 25th April 1943 (No address) - Moral degeneracy. Shanghai, April 25, 1943. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-4-3821 (0392)

Moral Degeneracy. The present laxity in sexual morality in Shanghai spells the doom of culture, peace, good order, ethics and education. The Secretary is vested with the heavy responsibility of administering the affits of the Settlement. He will certainly be very indignant if he is informed of the indecencies commited. Please insepct the "Wanted" Columns of the "Sin Wan Pao" in which advertisements for female singers and similar thinly veiled announcements are published daily. Generally, a monthly income of $3.000 and an advance loan of $1.000 are promised to pretty, your girls. The real purpose is to force them into prostitution. Good-looking firls of poor family are liable to fall into the traps. Should this state of affairs be allowed to develop, there will be no more virtuous or honourable women.
 
It is learnt that a large number of villains who posses great influence, have established brothers in disguise., in the vicinity of Yunnan Road and Kwangse Road, with the object of reaping huge, illigitimate profits. This is deplorable indeed. The Secretary is hereby requested to order all newspapers to stop publishing the saide advertisements and to close all singsong houses, so that the moral tone of the local community may be upheld and youg people may not follow the pathe of the devil. The benefit thus bestowed on society will be appreciated by all citizens. The Secretary has afectionate regard for the people under his jurisdiction. I am sure the above suggestion will be carried out fortwith. Immediate resultas are anticipated.