From their mission quarters in Tsinanfu the Procure des Lazaristes, Shanghai, has received a letter dealing with one appalling' aspect of the famine in North Shantung, namely, the danger to the children in the faminesmitten area.
The letter calls attention to the grave danger attending the much-practised expedient of selling children. By this inhuman traffic whole multitudes of children are condemned to a miserable death.
"Ay we have had information to the effect that the Government intends to supply work for the adult population, -our Missions have made no attempt to do anything for this class, but are doing all in their power to shelter and feed the children, 2s well as the old and infirm of both Up to the present moment, we have rescued more than 1.00) children for whom we are providing food and shelter either in our orphanages or in the homes of our wealthy people. Our hospices have received more than 100 aged men and women.
Beres or Savixe Oruers.
"Tf through the kindness of charity able organizations interested in this relief work more ample funds are put at our disposal, we shall be able to double the work hitherto accomplished by receiving in our Mission buildings at least 1,000 more children and aged persons.
The per capita expense of providing sustenance for each of these famine victims is $3 per month, and we must be prepared to fleet this expense for a period of not. less than eight months, viz. until the time of the next harvest in 1921.
"Besides this. we have disbursed smaller sums of money in buying and distributing food and clothes among the villagers of the afflicted regions, and, if we were to receiv! financial assistance for this purpose, there is no doubt that our Missions here could do most effective rescue work among the people who have remained at home.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.