In the districts to the north and west there has been a great deal of suffering antong the agricultural classes. The cholera epidemic still continues to prevail, no power seeming to be able to check its progress. In some families it has been known of all dying, with the exception of one or two, and in some villages not a family has been spared. Estimates range from 500,000 to 17000,000 as having died from the epidemic la this Provinceof Shantung.
In addition from various causes the crops have been unusually poor, some families being unprovided for except for a month ortho. From reports that reach our ears, we judge, however, that Honan is in a greater state of suffering than this Province.
On ist and 2nd November occurred heavy rains in these parts, giving hope to the poor farmers for the crops of next spring.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.