The great stream of load carriers bearing the rich products of this. province southward into Kuangtung has recently been arrested ut this point; owing to the prescrive in upper Kuangtung of large numters of soldiers, who rob the riers of their loads. The soldiers seem to be greatly in need of sup—plies; and since the carriers on the down trip carry mostly chickens, ducks, eggs, hogs and other eatables, the soldiers have simply helped themselves.
Although famine conditions prevailed here last year owing to the lack of rain during the previous summer, it was thought that the fairly good crop which was harvested during the past summer would bring back ordinary prices ior the staff of life; but the price of rice is higher now than it was. last year at this time. This is largely due to the fact that Chenchow district dees not grow suflicient rice for local consumption. Annually considerable quantities are brought up river in small boats. But since large quantities "Hunan rice have been bought by General Wu Pei-fu there is no rice coming up river. Already many people are beginning to feel the pinch of want, and local organizations are asking for famine relief funds so that they may prepare to meet the need of those who will be without food during the long months until the next harvest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.