THE CHINESE FAMINE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2105, 13 June 1907, Page 2

THE CHINESE FAMINE

REQUEST FOR FURTHER HELP

Miss L. J: Stevenson, Waiohika, writes as follows regarding tho raising of funds, for tlio relief of the fnmino in China: — As many seem to think that there is no longer any need to send help to tho famine-stricken districts of China, perhaps you will put—-in your paper the following facts, and' invite your readers to contribute as they are able :

Only partial relief may bo hoped for at tlio end of June, when some ot the crops are gathered, but very large numbers will ne.ed assistance till the end of November, as tliey were unablo to sow their crops last autumn. In many districts, too, the floods swept away dwellings and all their contents, ns well as all agricultural implements and animals; so that poor folk need help in this way as well as food.

Latest news gives 5000 dying daily; that parents are exchanging children and eating- them ; and missionaries are so affected that, though their hearts are breaking, tlieir tears refuse to flow.

In the name of Him who had compassion on the hungry multitude wt implore you to render all the help you can-. Small relief works have been started, but arc quite inade quate thus far. Practical help is therefore needed.

Contributions will be received and ai'.vnowledged by Mr J. Peekover, who will remit them to the treasurer of the Chinese Inland Mission, A lickland.

The following is from a recent Home exchange: Ten million persons in China are suffering from hunger, and 3,000,000 are nearly starving, according to a Shanghai telegram to the Associated Press a few weeks ago, which reports that conditions in the famine district arc gl owing worse daily.. Tho Relief Committee reports that ail the measures taken for succouring the'starving are inadequate.-

Tho members of the committee are finding dead bodies with bloated faces gi eon or black from starvation. The people are. pulling up the growing crops for food. Entire families are lying dead in their houses, and many corpses may bo seen lying by the roadside. Five thousand persons are probably dying daily.

There have been a few cares of rioting for food, and cannibalism is beginning. New graves have been rifled of their bodies, and parents are exchanging tlieir children to eat.

The Chinese Government and people have contributed over £BOO,OOO. and foreigners have given another £IOO,OOO, including the supplies now on tlieir way to China from America. The Chinese Viceroy and Governor I'.avo telegraphed to the United States Consul here thanking him for those contributions, and saying that they have dissipated all anti-foreign sentiment.

The situation is so desperate now that £2,000,000 is needed for relief measures at once.