A Cheroo correspondent send us the following extract from a letter dated March 23rd, from the Rev. H. Corbett, a missionary now employed in the southern part of Shantung distributing charity among the famine sufferers His head quarters are the district town of Chimeh:—The money that has just arrived has gladdened my heart, for will enable me to alleviate the sufferings of many and also to save life. Last week I found one family, which I had formerly known, The man'was unable to rise from 5 his couch; his whole body terribly swollen, death seemed near at hand. His wife, formerly alarge stout woman, was emaciated so that her relations would not have known her. Three children were crying for food. each Lad brought with me was cooked Some tea was given tothe man, and rice
as speedily as possible. He ate four large bowls and pleaded for more. He is now able to walk about, and says he will soon be able to work on his farm. This is only one case among many I might mention. A man died hunger in the village from away to their friends with a daily allowance of money. Two of my superintendents are laid up, besides Ching, the native pastor. The fever is of various duration, 10 to 15 or 20 days. Some of the weakest die, most recover." And, againatalaterdate, "The fever is apparently, from the few cases I have had time yet' to attend to, what is described in some books as famine fever. It is very extensive. I cannot give you any definite statistics, but it threatens to be worse than the famine, for the sick cannot which Tam writing, last night, leave starving family. Daily I hear of dear a get up from their beds to go for their food great distances. Some families have half from starvation. Many have committed suicide when they found they must starve. 'My plan has been to send reliable men to visit towns and villages and quietly inquire for those who are entirely destitute, get their names, and then send them word to come at' an appointed time to some centre, when I distribute according to the size of the family and the necessity of the case, giving a sum sufficient to help them over the present month. Without some plan closely adhered to, Ido not see how any efficient aid could be rendered by distribution. Many have come with doleful stories, but when I sent some one to inquire I found they were not likely to starve, at least there were others more needy. With the funds just received, Iwill be able to enlarge the circle and render aid more or less over the greater of Chimeh. I have written to Mr.
ichord to despatch a messenger to me, if he has not sufficient force to reach the test number possible with the means at command. Dr. Nevius and several efficient natives have gone; so possibly my services may not be required. The des-or more of them Jaid up with this. It is most heartrending to hear of the helpless state of the poor in such circumstances, It attacks old and young, men and women, all apparently without distinction. Many get delirious—they linger on long—some die; but, as I said, I cannot give accurate statistics yet."
giving information regarding the supply Mr. Jones waites from the same place of food, prices, de. Hosays, © To the West of this some biens have supplies of Siao-in fair quantity, and to the eastward, likewise, An-kiu and Chu-ching biens had good crops, and therefore still have supplies. Regarding the localities in which there were bad crops and in which there is
supplemented by import—the following deficient supply—such supply as needs to be has to be said, viz., that it is not a quostion of stock'in Hand, but of facility of import, price, and money to pay for it.. Tt appears that the supplying of the famine districts is accomplished by a machinery which is in full swing at the present moment. The grain for the east district of this foo comes from Manchuria in junks, to stitution there (Ching-chow Fu) great rateds the general eatiention hee. a port on the coast about 180 li from here named Chang Kia-kon, and for the west have not enjoyed my food since coming here and seeing the people daily eating the half toa. port called (name not given). 'The principal food of the people here is dried potato vine. 'They grind it and mix the Kaoliang (tall millet), costing 600 cash it with water and take it in balls very per tow.' 'The shelled Siao-mi costs 800 much as they would take down pills. cash per tow,' wheat costs about 200 cash 'Those who can afford a little bean to mix less, and rice is 900 cash per tow,' The children soon succumb on this diet; 80 per ith it get along better. Old people. and ordinary price of Kaolinng is 280 cash, and the others in proportion. Nothing cent. or more are living on this. I could is said about a short import supply here. use an almost unlimited amount of means in aiding the destitute.
There has been a rise in price of all Recent from the central districts Koow,' owing to the mak of rain now cad week about 50 cash describe the famine as getting more and still around here, which leaves the prospect more intensified as time on, Mr. for the crops indifferent for this district, Richard, writing from Cheng-chow-foo, Now, from all this, you will see that no under date the 29th March, says the district absolute necessity for having corn sent into magistrate had informed' him that their this district from Shanghai exists; corn is funds were getting very low, and had reflowing in. It is another question how far quested a share of the remittances by such a measure might be desirable in an foreigners. "He said the suffering was economic point of view, to make relief go very great, and that they have not sufficient far, but it would require a, very special money to distribute of supply, the gruel machinery forforwardingand distributing it. long. How long? I asked. Till about At present, Mr. Richard's statement holds the end of the month, he answered; then igoo8, that money relieves the difficulty." the starvation will be very great. When The writer then goes on to describe the saying this, I must say, his eyes filled at the prospects of the coming crop in the worst prospect. regions, and I am sorry to say they are not "T told him what my idea was, viz., that very hopeful. Even yet, though the snow I should distribute money to those' who and rain fall has been so plentiful as a rule, have pulled down their houses. He said there are several districts that have had that this was very good, but whatever he little. Large tracts have not been sawn, has a hand in must be without distinction for want of seed, and even those that have to all his subjects; and therefore, most been sown are being eaten by some kind of truly, what is quite easy for me would be grub, impossible for him. He said, 'Last year I we a little money, and the people crowded jete, and said that they were all alike his subjects,' and, therefore, if he gives to any Saw Reports.
must give to all.""
To add to all their other misfortunes a
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.