As the famine conditions are becoming worse a famine relief association has been formed under the auspices of the Civil and Military Governors, the missionaries and other prominent persons. It is hoped that there will be a ready response to the appeal which is about to be sent out.
From reports received it is seen that the situation is desperate in 21 cities and districts and not quite so desperate in 16 others. Over 2,000,000 people are seriously affected. Several days ago a country woman brought her son into the city in the vain hope of finding someone who would employ her and at the same time give the boy food and clothing. No one was willing to employ her on these terms, and toward evening mother and son left the city and entered a temple not far from the east gate of the city. They knelt down by the side of the well in the temple grounds and wept together bewailing their bitter fate. After weeping for a season they arose and then deliberately jumped into the well and drowned themselves.
Pitiful sights are becoming increasingly frequent on the streets in Kueiyang, and we do not know how many similar instances are happening among the villagers.
Figar iN THE ASSEMBLY.
The Provincial Assembly Halt was the scene of strife some days ago. Visitors are not very clear as to the cause of the disturbance but all can give a graphic account of the affair. Two members commenced to argue and then to abuse each other and that was followed up with an interchange of information regarding parents and ancestors. As that did not satisfy them they resorted to the throwing of teacups at each other, which proved so contageous that soon the whole assembly was in an uproar. One of the least aggressive members was the only one wounded, and to-day we learned from the hospital that he is progressing favourably. A deep wound near the cheekbone will leave a nasty scar, and help the honourable member to think on the! days when there was trouble abroad among the legislators.
There have again been some robberies of the mails just over the Hunan border, and for several days no Shanghai mail was received here. Famine conditions, the ruthless commandeering of labourers and coolies, and the robbers make it extremely difficult for the postal authorities to maintain the letter service. Parcels and heavy mail matter are forwarded whenever men can be engaged fo transport them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.