THE FAMINE IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 128, 23 February 1921, Page 9

THE FAMINE IN CHINA

Tho war lias, we fear, had a hardening effect in the contemplation of horrors, says the February number of "China's Millions.” Wo read harrowing descriptions of suffering millions in Central Europe, and in recent weeks of dreadful famine in China. Our minds cannot realise what the news means, that in tho latter country a population of from forty to sixty millions of people is threatened with starvation, -a population greater than that of Great Britain dying from want of food. It is estimated that to give efficient help a sum of fifty million pounds would be required! These figures are so gigantic that they are staggering, and make us feel helpless in view of so great a need. It is stated that ono-half this number of people- is seriously affected, and that one-quarter may dio unless fuller assistance be rendered. -Some regions arc like a desert, with out a blade of grass, even the birds have forsaken these areas. Famine prices, too, are prevailing in neighbouring districts, where refugees have flocked by the thousands. It is also reported that some 40,000 Chinese Christihns are among the sufferers. The Chinese Gov- , eminent has established a relief fund, and funds have been opened in London, and in other centres, while missionary' societies are receiving, and forwarding gifts for this special purpose. We have received, and forwarded, over .kIOOO. Any further contributions entrusted to us will bo thankfully' forwarded to China. Ont} of our C.I.M. workers writes thus: "I went with a Bible woman to some of the nearer villages, to make investigations as to the real state of things, and I must say I have not found yet that the statements of the distress have been in the least exaggerated. The principal food is chaff and wild vegetables and leaves of trees, bark, ground to flour, and even straw. This last is generally used mixed with the husk of the persimmon, ground to flour. Some who possess gardens have, sinco the rains, raised man-tsing and onions, and, of course,, this will be a great help to those who have such; but as for grain, I have not seen more than two houses with any at all, or anything that could be called food for human beings; and one just says, 'What will become of t'he poor people during the bitter cold winter that is hastening on us?’ My heart just fails me at times! I can do, and am doing, so little. It costs,so much to feed the few I have here, for all grain is so expensive, and there is the expense of getting it out here. "I am teaching all these women the phonetic script. I feel it is an unique opportunity for, this, and one for which I have been lodging. Classes have been going on all day practically. We begin soon after sunrise with prayers; then after breakfast we separate, some for classes, some to weave cloth or spin cotton, others to draw water, or find wild vegetables. At noon wo all meet for prayer for blessing, and to pray for our daily bread, and it does ray heart good to hear even the little ones asking their Heavenly Father for their daily bread. In the evening wo meet again for study and prayers.”