Reports that have been pouring into the Provincial Government ofices recently show that the south of this province is suffering one of the most disastrous farming seasons for years. No less than 64 hsien are said to be affected by the drought which continued through the winter and spring, only to be followed by heavy and unseasonal rain and hail, ruining many of the wheat crops just at harvest-time, flooding the land, washing out roadways and delaying the railway service. The Yellow River and tributaries have risen rapidly, and though this brings little danger of flood to this province communications with adjacent provinces are interrupted.
In response to an urgent appeal from the Shansi government $10,000 has been telegraphed by the Central Government for distribution in needy areas, but so seriously is the situation regarded that the Provincial Chairman (Mr. Chao Chen-yue) yesterday despatched a long telegram to the Famine Relief Bureau in Nanking in which he conveyed sincere appreciation of the aid sent in response to his appeal, but pointed out that it was totally inadequate to meet the distress in such a large area, No less than 1,000,000 people are thought to be affected in greater or less degree; and there will be no hope of alleviation until the autumn crops are gathered in three or four months time. The situation has been rendered more difficult in some areas by last year's banditry occupation which has left the people without many res-curees ites the present emergency.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.