From Our Own Correspondent, Kueiyang, Kuei, Feb. 5.
The Shanghai Famine Relief Com. mittee wired to the foreigners in Kueiyang asking them to try and form local committees for the purpose of raising funds to be distributed by the Shanghai Committee. The telegram distinctly slated Free telegrams for Famine Relic! yet when a telegram was presented to the office here for transmission to Shanghai the clerk in the office said they had received no orders to that effect. It was pointed out to him that the telegram asked for money to be paid to the Relief Committee but he refused to accept it. As there was no alternative the price demanded was paid and also a surcharge toward the Famine Relief Fund.
Thousands are applying to the benevolent folk for a little rice to help them tide over these few days. Yesterday and to-day from morning to night a continuous stream of poor people presented! their tickets at the distribution office and received their rice. The man in charge of the door had hard work to keep the people in order and make the stronger ones wait their turn.
Ag the food question is becoming more and more urgent the officials have been inviting the rich people to feasts for the purpose of asking them to contribute a quantity of rice to be sold at a reduced rate to try and keep down the price in the market. Something like 1,000 piculs have been contributed but with practically no result, for the price remains in the region of $13 per picul. Alas, the authorities will not stop commandeering the horses and men consequently the rice brought into the city is not sufficient to meet the demand.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.