Military Mancuvres, Refugees, Make Supply Problem Acute Hongkong, Sept. 27.
In addition to the social and economic problems thrust upon it by the war in China, this British Colony is now threatened with a possible record drought, government quarters revealed today.
With Hongkong placed on a wartime basis this week because of the holding of the biggest army and navy manœuvres in the Colony's history, the limited water supply began to be taxed to the utmost. The influx of several thousand men of Britain's fighting forces was expected to be an additional strain on the reserve water supply.
During the past twelve months the situation has been accentuated by increased. water consumption consequent upon the influx of over half a million refugees from the interior of China.
In addition the rainfall for the first eight months of 1938 is reported to have totalled only 45 inches which is the lowest since 1898 when the total was 57 inches,—United Press.
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