This afternoon, at the English Methodist Mission compound, a large crowd of foreigners and "Chinese witnessed the laying of the cornerstone for a new" church, Services were held in the old church before the laying of the Stone by Rev. R S.. Harrison, pastor of the Changsha Church. In addition to the comer-stone, many memorial stones were unveiled in memory of former work-ere here in Hunan for the English Methodist Church, most notable among whom' were the Revs. Warren and Watson.
During the service In the Church, speeches were given to commemorate the deeds of these men Who had given their lives for their Church in Hunan. Among the speakers were: Rev. Stanfield, Superintendent of the Methodist Mission in Hunan; Dr. F. 'A. Keller of the Hunan Bible In-Shute and Dr, H. Witt, of the Licbenzeller Mission:
Thousands Homele to Rebuild Their Houses Yromt On OWN Connesronoent Sutsien, Oct. 5.
On October 3, at 10 p.m, the ood jwates from the Yellow River broke Into the city of Yaowan, on the east Juank of the Grand Canal, about 27 miles above Sutsien City. Exact details are not yot obtainable here, four 1 seems probable that a good many lives were lost, and large numbers' of mud houses have already Yaowan Is a city of considerable size, the "population is estimated Jabout 20,000, It has no brick wall, [but has a fairly good mud wall, The mud wall on the west coincides with bank of the Grand Canal, }Yaowan has been known long os an important centre for shipping grain.
When the flood came round the city, the gates which were situated on low ground were partly stopped, to keep four the water. Reports indicate that the water did not actually overflow, the mud wall, but the water has been soaking into the mud for such a long {time that the wall was weakened, and finally collapsed.
As the water rushed In the unfortunate people who lived in the low actions fled to higher ground. The general report Is that several dozens were drowned: the exact number will be very difficult to determine. Many refugees reached the main street, which is still above water. The people jate said to be camping along the street, under awnings, ete. Some were marooned on houses oF tu trees for a time until boats could go to their rescue, 'Mud houses cannot stand in the water very ong, the walls soon dis solve. Probably' most of the hous. fin the flooded district already have fallen and the others will fall soon. Thousands and thousands of the In-of Yaowan will not only be during the flood, but they }will be financially unable to rebuild their houses after the water recedes. [Steanwhile, large numbers of them fare penniless and starving.
'A'few days ago, the west bank of the Grand Canal above Dzacho, thirteen miles above Sutsien, broke. An unconfirmed report sys that two children on the dyke at the time, were
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.