AFFLICTED CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1920, Page 4

AFFLICTED CHINA.

War, pesfilence, famine and typhoons make great inroads into the Chinese millions. It ia probable that no country in the world has been subject to so many and such great afflictions as China. At the present moment the country is not only rent asunder by rebellion, but is being desolated by famine, a cable message from Washington stating that thirty million people are suffering intensely therefrom, and that a thousand deaths orfcur daily. This is not the first time China has experienced the terrible visitation of a severe famine, for in 1877-8 no less than nine million perished there from lack of food, while another serious famine was caused in 1888-9 owing to the overflowing of the Yellow River. In the early and mediaeval ages famines were of frequent occurrence, but the advance of civilisation, the rapidity of modern transport, and the growth of worldwide sympathy, have all contributed to minimising this evil, added to which the prompt organisation of relief measures, especially by the English-speaking countries, has done much to reduce the period of.suffering and stem the deathrate. The American Red Cross Society has lost no time in getting to work to help the victims, and the Japanese Government has already, it is understood, arranged to supply 500,000 v bushels of rice, to be paid for by means of a j w&je gt)wr are bslng

taken to cope with the disaster. With thirty million people in famine's grip it is easy to imagine the gigantic nature of the task of coping with the terrible affliction. We live, however, in an age wherein human suffering, no matter of what race or creed, calls forth the hest traits of humanity, so it may confidently he assumed there will be no lack of response to the urgent appeal for .help. The knowledge of thia dire visitation on the Chinese should exercise a beneficial influence on those who, in ! j more favored countries, are making I much of having to undergo what, by comparison, are mere trifling deprivations, and should make them feel thankful for the privileges, they enjoy. It may even impel them to help the fam-ine-stricken Chinese. v