New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-12
TIE oR1NESE FAMINE SUFFERERS,

REPORTS OF EXAGGERATED ACCOUNTS DENIED.
To the EDITOR Of The Tribune.
Sir: noticed few days ago published statement
that tho officials OF the Imperial Government OF China
had pronounced the accounts Of the famine In the
shsntung Province greatly exaggerated whether this
Is false report or is an indication Of the hcaress-
ness Of the Chinese authorities, unable TO say,
but the famine greater and more extended than any
accounts yet published have indicated received this
day from G. f. Fitch the treasurer of the Presbyterian
Board Of Foreign Missions in Shanghai, the following
letter which think It would be a kindness 10 suffer-
ing humanity to publish:
In response yours Of January Is, making inquiries
In regard TO the famine and TO what extent 10 Is wise
to send funds, would say that from all that can
Learn tfere win be call for long time 10 come ior
IA so widespread, and the Chinese Government seems
powerless TO cope with It, that all thai can be done
BY other countries viii DO great blessing. am
aware that year or so ago the Chinese Government
did take UP the matter Of the Yellow River flood famine
with so much energy that for time there seemed TO DO
little that foreigners could do. but It Is different
and while China IS doing great deal herself yet her
by the greatness Of tho calamity which has befallen
her would suggest then that every EFFORT possible
DO made TO send funds
Ten days ago / received letter from the Rev Or.
J. l. Neyius OF Chefoo In which, referring 10 cir
cular already published, he stated that the severity OF
the famine would necessarily increase until the be-
ginning Of harvest In June, and that the demand Tor
help would bc proporuonately Increased. Dr. NeVius
recently wrote to The North China News that they
would need over 100000 II they Kept up the work
vnIoh they had begun. The extent OF country suHer
Ing from tho famine Is greater than was ct first sup
posed Last week 1 received a letter from Mrs J. ii.
Iaughlln, OF Wei Holm, who, with her husband had
left her homo for the purpose of spending three
months in the heart OF the famine district distributing
the gifts that should be furnished TO their hands by
foreigners. The details which she gives are simply
appalling. She and her husband have assumed the
charge OF 00Oo registered persons, whom they are
striving barely To keep alive by the gift OF 10 cash OF
cent each pr diem. This purchases small amount
OF rice or nllIaL, which being mixed with Cnau IS
bruised OF ground into coarse proyendor from whleh
Is made something remotely resembling bread THIS IS
found sufficient sustain life In VgOtos persons put
the weak and aged die IN largo numbers. 40 WIS loT
diet Is added the suffering caused by lack Oh iel alI
by the fact that bedding and wraps and Whatever
could be sold have In many cases been diape Oh lOr
food From my acquaintance with all mo VII
ncxSes above named, can thoroughly s''csS 'ne''
statements. - y
Contributions for the famine may DO sent 10 G. h;
UalToun treasurer OF the Presbyterian BOad OF
POreirn Missions No. SO F1fih-ave. New-1orf' anu
thew will he forwarded 10 China without charge
NcW-Tork, April ., 1882 T. L. ELlIN"ooD'