Novemler was cold and' rainy; no\ ack of moisture to start the wheat for next years crop. Decen.ber start~ ed a new record for Honan: instead ff the succession of bright clear days, We have bad many cold windy ones 'a good heavy snow at the start fof the month and some rains as well. Tt hag been harder than usual for the Poor, of whom we have many more than we should have this year.
'While Honan has not had floods comparable to last year or similar to Shantung's current year's floods, we are' still entertaining refugees from last year who have not yet been able to get back on the sodden fields of Hwahsien, Fengehiu and Changyuan: we also have many more from western Shantung.
The Government supported the Philanthropic Society together with the Flood Relief Commitice and have Jequipped an extensive compound out! ear the University Agricultural College farm with mat sheds and gruel kitchens. There they have received something over 4,000 men, women and children whom they house in the shelters and grant two millet meals day, As their funds are limited, they" refused any applicant—wh" could not provide at least one bedcover. A thin cover of straw on the ground provides the mattress, 30 they are not enjoying many comforts. One wonders what is happening to the unfortunates who could not provide even one cover. I learn that there is a movement among the churches of the city to use Christmas offerings and gifts to deepen the straw of the sleeping quarters. for: these poor unfortunates.
Preparations are going forward for the coming of Honan's new Government Chairman, Gen. Shang Chen. (Certain followers already are in city hotels. The eventual location of the Pacification Commissioner of Honan and Anhwei is still a matter of speetiation. Gen. Liu Chi has been good Provincial chief executive and his going Is viewed with genuine regret. It is suggested by some that, }Loyang will be his natural quarters, though this western city, seems too far from Anhwei,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.