Rain has fallen, but not twenty per cent of the land has been sown, as there are so few animals and feed could not be bought. That means a continuance of destitution until the spring of 1902—a very serious thing for the people in view of the winter's cold.
Famine fever is also raging, and claiming its victims. Wolves, as in every famine, are prowling around with fearless ferocity, and devouring both young and old.
Altogether, the condition of the province of Shensi can be more readily imagined than described.
Chamber of Commerce, Taiyuan, 9th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.