Farmers Living on Roots of Trees Tokyo, Oct. 23.
An increasingly serious view ing taken here of the plight of Japan's northeast, which ig reported to be hearing famine conditions.
"Me. T. Yamazaki, Minister of Agri. culture, last week made a tour of Inspection through the six affected prefectures, and is now preparing Getailed relief plan. Similar plans fare being formulated by the Minis tries of Home Affairs and Commerce and Industry.
The stricken districts suffer every year from cool weather and floods, But last July's floods have been of unprecedented severity, inundating Sty per cent. of rice fields. An average reduction of 23 per cent. in the rice crops is predicted for the The farmers are living this year fon roots of trees, nuts and acorns Small amounts of rice have been distributed by the village governments, but these have been insufl-
When Mr, Yamazaki passed through the region, be was met at railway stations by farmers who presented him with bracken cake and acorns, asking him to taste the food they cat.
Should the areas have a normal crop, the formers will get none of It, as the harvests have for many houses of ill-fame or workers to factories.
Officials here are hurrying aid, fearing that if it is delayed famine is imminent—Rengo.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.