THE PEOPLE OF CHINA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 31 July 1929, Page 5

THE PEOPLE OF CHINA

IN THE GRIP OF THE MILITARY BRIGANDAGE AND STARVATION In writing to a friend in Dunedin under date 13th June, Mr Samuel Glanville, a China Inland Missionary from Christchurch, who is now stationed at Tientsin, says:— '•'Truly the country is in a terrible condition, more so than most people at Home realise. At heart there is no nationalism in the land; it is just the 'mailed fist' and the cutest rogue who can wave it. The ordinary people are being fleeced unmercifully by the socalled rulers, the country is in the grip of the military party, and the merchants are helpless but indignant. Itcosts as much, to get goods from four days up country to Tientsin as it does to get the same goods landed in New York from Tientsin. This speaks for itself.

"The worst famine known in China within the ken of living men is now '•aging; no rain <to speak of has fallen for many months; and the farmers have been unable to sew corn which would be reaped in the autumn. Railway rolling stock is being used to transport troops, so no cars are avnilnblei to carry grain to the needy people. In addition to this», troops passing through a district cat up what food there is available. It is hard to say what is developing in ihe country. Feng is being squeezed cut of his position, and lie may cGnschdate his position and turn and fight, or lie might link up with Moscow again wnl introduce trouble up in the Northwest; in any case, he has a lot of sympathy at his hack, and the people look ■ipon h;m as one who might be able to Itelp ihem in their trouble. "I do not see how the country ran iiohl together much longer, for nothing .vhaleviT is being done to .develop .is resources. Brigandage and lawlessness arc ever on the increase. At she present time five of our people w.th one infant are in captivity, held to ram-cm, and our Consuls are impotent to dc anything for their deliverance (?ince released). As far as missionary work is concerned, in those places whet? there is a semblance of peace the ! ord's work is going on, and souls aie- being won. The mission has launched a forward movement with a view to pushing out into those regions where no gospel work is being done. That is good, for it is a waste of money and strength to run educational work. Yon can get stud-mis to attend classes, but all they wain is equipment to enable them to belie-'' their position in life, and ignore. ilh friends fiom whom li ey gain so much. We hve n busy life up here. 1 am full up Willi banking. Customs, freighting, and transport work, and have little time left, for the evangelistic work which I iike to do."