An unprecedented drought, which has been extending from the summer until now, has caused great suffering in rural regions. The latest information states that, in the Sendai district, 800 farmers _are starving and that the autumn crops: have been completely ruined.
Other regions have also been! severely affected and the stocks of food in some regions are so small that they will soon be exhausted. Rain now is too late, as the season has passed and the crops have been destroyed.
The, Government, which always! keeps a big stock of rice on hand for emergencies, has sent relief to the unfortunate villagers and has] further sent a commission to investigate into the actual conditions and submit detailed reports.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.