18,000 Refugees in Chungking: 100 Bodies Picked Up Daily: Mr. J. E, Baker Returns from Province RIM conditions are spreadii in north-cast Szechuen, where a serious famine is oppressing land which as far back as can be remembered has continued to produce a steady flow of crops for the upkeep of its farming population. Mr. J. E, Baker, of the China International Famine Relief Commission, who has returned from a two weeks' tour of these parts, was able to give first hand information on the situation when interviewed by a "North-
China Herald" representative on April 23.
"When T arrived in Szechuen", he explained, "I was informed that'95,- '000,000 out of 50,000,000 people in the province needed famine relief. In my opinion, this was "ballyhoo" al-Culated to' obtain excessive eller funds from the Central Government. 'AS a result of my tour, however, T can quite believe that this portion the population will soon bein ure gent neod of famine relief.
Mr. Baker travelled up to Szechuen by plane, and noted from the air the barren slate of the trees. and bushes growing between the terraces on the Slopes In, the eastern part of that province. They were practically devoid of any foliage whatever. Mr. Baker on arrival was provided with two sources of information as to the extent of the famine, a report prov= Ided by the provincial authorities, and 4 crop report issued by the Nanking authorities. The principal crops grown in the provines azo rice, corn, beans, Kowklang, and sweet potatoes The Fice Is priveipally handed over the landlords in lew of rent, and grown before the other crops." The farmers themselves live on the other crops.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.