The people fo Sungkiang are ye frightened and most of the shops are closed, though, from all reports, Marshal Lu's soldiers are not maltreating the inhabitants at all missionaries' wives have come to.
Shanghai, but the man have remained at their post. They say that if they Leave the villagers will entirely to pieces, those few who still retain a small degree of fortitude.
The Red Cross hospital in Sung kiang has a few wounded, but it has not been pressed as yet—m: of the men only carry a badge and have not been provided with a uniform. An interesting sight at Gen.
Ward's tomb was two fresh grave, occupied by Chinese soldiers.
With reference to the report that Gen, Ma Liang had arrive at Sungkiang, it can now he confidently stated that he has not arrived, nor have his soldiers; at least neither headquarters nor the infantry. in the streets knew anything of their presence.
The Lunghua Communique Dr. Loh, secretary to General Ho Feng-lin, communique at! midnight star Kiang. Sun Chuan-fang's troops also attacked the city of Chingsan, Chapu.
The enemy probably reached this place from Kashing by way. of Pinghu. Two battalions attacked. the Lunghua troops at Chingsan but. were repulsed. This is regarded as part of the general encircling, move ment with which Kiangsu hopes to. win the war.
It is understood by Lunghua that another order for a general attack was issued by Marshal Chi to tal place on Friday morning. The off sive did not take place, it is understood, because of insufficient supply of munitions. Slight fighting started at Huangtu and Liuho but it did not last more than one hour. The position generally is unchanged.
Ir was reported in the Chinese press last Friday that, in view of the arduous additional labours of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway staff, as, from this month their salaries will he increased by 50 per cent. This is pleasant news. Whether they will get the money is quite another story Appeab for Relief to Peking:
Suggested Use for Half of Customs Surtax The following telegram has be. sent to Premier W, W. Yin; Dr. K. Well Koo, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wang Koh-min Minister of Finance and Huang F Minister of Education by Mr. /Shao-yi and 11 other Chinese:—More than one month has elapsed singe the outbreak of the Kiangs:- Chekiang civil war. The terrible distress which the people have suffered is indescribable. Insi the fighting zone they have be Killed, maimed or without food urd clothing; outside it many are the verge of starvation due to stagnation of trade and, increased cost of living. The number of suitoring people is at least six or seven millions. The conflict is noe yet ended, but the poor people are at the end of their resources. Wo shudder to think what will becom of them in the future.
The people of Kiangsu and Chekiang: always been charitably When there wore flood and in the North they showed sympathy by raising large sums of money for relief purposes. These two provinces fare now sulla from the ravages of wai merchants eaniot do business, far sow or reap, even the anxious about what will become of them on the morrow. The appalling distress is comparable only to thi: following the Taiping. Rebellion.
Tesx than $20,000,000 will required for urgent relief, for tidinse the victims over the winter and rehabilitating them after" (he war. The Government can spare neither the time nor the attention to save there vietima; the people have no. means of helping themselves; raising funds for relief work has become an impossible taxk. here remains only one way. To accor relief to this year's lood suffers the North the Government hav proposed to levy a Customs surf estimated to yield $8,000,- 'a_year. The Central Gov ut is willing to do ite utmost even to the victims of famine di to nataral causes, how much more sympathetic should be to civil war.
The people of Kiangsu and Chekiang would hardly dare hope for the. whole of the. proceeds of the Customs surtax, but they br for one-half of this money which would be of rear help ty them. If their prayer is answered they further request that the 1G, be instructed to turn over one-half of the surtax money collected every. month to the Shanghai Chinese Foreign Famine Relief Committee through the For urgent requirement we trust the Government will permit the Shanghai Chinese Foreign Famine Relief Committee to negotiate advances from banks against the said one-half of the Customs surtax. We niake this appeal in view of the urgency of the matier and shall be obliged if you will give early and favourable considera tion.
Vu, 8. T. See, Chang ling, Tong W. Tsing Jun"ching, wen-fu, Pa-hing, ©. Y. Sun.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.