The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-08-15


that many hundreds have already per-
ished of starvation, and the lives of
many thousands are threatened unless
relief shall speedily reach them. The
sale of girls and young women is al
ways a horrible feature of famines in
China, and a most deplorable aspect of
the present distress is the stories told
of the barter of daughters by their
parents who seek to procure food to
keep themselves alive.
The press cables from China have
given some idea of the extent and Sc
verify of the famine. but copy of the
diary of one of the Chinese relief COM
missioners who recently made a tour
through the province Of Shansi. which
has just been received by Chow Tsz-
Chi. the Chinese consul in New York,
gives more pitiful and touching pic
ture of the distress and despair prevail
ing in the provinces over which hangs
the appalling hunger cloud. The diary
covers a period Of 20 days. during
which time the commissioner helped to
bury 200 dead bodies, all of them vic
tins of starvation. 1t tells in simple
but graphic terms of what he saw.
From Consul Chow Tsz-Chi's transla-
ton of the commissioners diary ! take
some extracts. which need neither COM
ment nor establishment to constitute a
moving appeal for sympathy and aid:
Started for Fung-chiang o'clock in the morn
ing. Saw many dead bodies the road. The
local authority was supervising their burial In
deserted cafe met a boy OF about IA dying from
hunger. We rescued him and fed him with bread
and water. He told US that both his parents and
listers died two days ago.
dreadful in the woods today. A num-
Der of hungry birds fighting for dead body.
Many women and children were crying for mercy
and drawing their last breath. We gave away all
the provisions carried with
Turned out Of our way to big city and tried
20 buy some more provisions. out could not get
my. Had to stop there and wait for provision
wagon. Saw Sc dead bodies and hired some coolies
to bury them.
Arrived Pei-mun. Distributed food to the starv-
ing and medicines to the sick. We had not drunk
= drop Of water. but did not feel thirsty. Could
not eat bite of bread yet not feel hungry. Bur-
led Sc dead bodies.
Arrived at Puchi bridge. Distributed food and
medicine. man here selling his boy for 81.
Asked him why. and he answered. with tears that
his wife was starving at home and there no
boom in the hospital for her. He tried to sell
their boy and save his wife. The boy was crying.
We gave the 81. Buried seven bodies
Arrived at Pie-yin temple. Distributed food.
Net southern man with four girls Fung yang
man with six girls and a Hsao-hing man with
our girls. all Of whom were bought in the village
1t q very cheap price.
Arrived West Pie-yin temple Distributed food.
About a. m. met band of men buyers Of girls)
lighting ten soldiers. One Of the latter killed
and two wounded. The rufnans escaped with their
goods in wagons and on horseback, though they
lost ten of their comrades Buried six dead bodies.
And thus the distressing tale contin-
ues, presenting in detail the record of
conditions which must appeal strongly
to the charities of the civilized world.
The Chinese government is doing
something, perhaps all it can. to miti-
gate the distress Of the famine, but
with the heavy burden the ancient en-
pire is carrying as the result of the an
tiforeign uprising and the consequent
foreign invasion it is evident that help
must come from the outside If the raw
ages of China's latest affection are to
be staid. HENRY BAaLEY.