Shanghai, Nov. 24.
Approximately 1,760,000' people are affected by the floods in North Kiangsu, states Mr. J. E. Baker, treasurer, of the China International Famine Relief Commission, who has returned to Shanghai from' a tour of investigation in that area The two worst affected portions of the province are in the northwest and the north-east, Floods in the former area are due to an overflow from the Weishan lake and in the Tatter, to an overflow from rivers leading from the region of the Grand Canal and extending to the Both areas enjoyed a good spring crop and the prospects for an excellent autumn crop were spoilt by Moods. In the northeast, the major crop portion war salvaged but In the north-west only a portion was saved, Reports made by the various mission stations which Mr. Baker visited stated that the farmers of both areas will probably have sufficient resources to carry them until Chinese New Year, but as they have not been to sow there-will be no spring crop for them.
Tt ig pointed out that unless the are able to plant vegetables at early date, these farmers will require 8 great deal of help between Chinese New Year and late September, on the assumption that the flood waters will be down sufficiently to permit plant ing an autumn crop.
Mr, Baker was told on his tour that while rel welcome it must be cerned out on an organized scale. The Gistribution of small sums of money or supplies would merely attract dreds to certain centres and it would be impossible to grant further relief.
In the bed of the old Yellow River Mr. Baker noticed large numbers of workmen, reputed to be 100,000 strong, who are employed In excavating a portion of the bed as a means of, effecting a permanent remedy to flood hazard in northern Kisngsu. The men are paid on piece meal basis but their earnisigs, at the moment, amount to little more than their immediate needs.
As a practical programme of relief, Mr. Baker suggests that the funds which are Standing and may be added to, should be applied through local committees to minor works tending to sive security from flood. It is suggested, however, that these works be assigned after consultation with the Construction Bureau of Kiangsu.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.