Inquiries and investigations are now on foot, but the problem keeping alive absorbs 2,000,000 individuals and offers a fine field for the study of social economics and the generosity of philanthropists. The budget of only one of the 27 counties calls for grain to the value of $160,000, to supply its need till midsummer. That is one of the worse smitten hsiens. What resources the said district may have it is impossible to know, but the "have not" families will get but little from the "have" families, and the bulk—if provided at all—must come through wise administration and philanthropic scheming.
For nearly half a century there has been talk—largely hostile to reasonable proposals—of improving the means of transport in Shansi to prevent the repetition of the terrible cannibalism of 1878. To-day, improved facilities amount to a motor road of very questionable utility and not yet ready for use. And it is not far removed from practical politics to inquire when cannibalism is likely to start!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.