The city was stirred to its depths recently by rumours that the enemy had poisoned certain brands of cigarettes, and signs that packets and tins had been tampered with shown. People were on the point of making a stand against their sale but all has quieted down and so far nothing has happened. Many things have increased in price ad specially supplies of medicines from the outside are very difficult to get. Some supplies purchased in Shanghai and gotten as far as Chinghwa are still on the road, meanwhile hospitals are lacking in many things needed.
The Presbyterian Mission in Hunan, expected to hold their Mission Meeting in Hengyang, May 4-10, but it had to be called off. The executive committee of the Mission met at Siangtah May 12 and 13 to handle any mission matters and reports necessary. The night of May 12 an air raid alarm came which kept the committee up rather late, but no bombs were dropped. The reports of the five stations showed an unprecedented number of patients in the hospitals, and the income and expenditures far greater than in any past year of their work. The international Red Cross and other relief organizations have helped considerably in refugee relief, and in providing supplies for hospitals for which thanks are due.
Those who have the duty of service for them go back to dig out Other bodies and prepare them for burial, a part of the days work. The morale is not broken but is in the process of making.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.