Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-01
CONDITIONS IN CHINA.
Large Section of the Empire Distress
- ku hnnalIin6 nieaefer

Large Section of the Empire Distress
ed by Appalling Disaster.
The Enquirer has been requested to
publish the following statement OF
conditions and appeal in regard to the
suffering in China:
To the People Of South Carolina:
The tragic recital of the appalling
famine in China, so graphically pic
tured to the people Of the United
States by President Roosevelt, in his
recent proclamation, calling upon all
our citizens to contribute funds for
the relief of these famine sufferers, has
been hastily presented to you in
previous appeal.
In his proclamation the president
says: Throughout a district covering
over 10000 square miles, and support
ing a population Of 15,000,OO0, the
crops have been destroyed by floods,
and millions Of people are on the verge
of starvation, thousands Of dwellings
have been destroyed, and their former
inmates are without homes. An ur-
gent appeal has been made for the
assistance Of the United States"
The vast area in square miles devas-
tated and the millions Of human be-
ings crying out with pinching hunger,
lief, can best be demonstrated by COM
parison. The gross area of South
Carolina, in square miles, is statist-
cally given at 30,750 square miles,
and her population at 100000. This
desolated territory, therefore, covers
10, 900 more square miles than is en-
braced in our whole state and the pop
ulation, now in eXtremities, numbers
ten times as many souls as inhabit our
i'll 90 ShnnlytnQ
indeed to contemplate. The most aw-
full, heart -rending calamity OF modern
times.
What will we do about it? Shall
we, like the priest and Levite, pass
by on the other side; or following the
example Of the good Samaritan, come
to the rescue Of these detected suf-
ferers, these creatures of God, dying
from the horrors of starvation, and
writings in misery in its most hideous
form.
Read the pathetic story Of prevail
ing conditions and the stirring appeal
for help coming from Major Gen.
George w. Davis, u. S. A, retired,
chairman central committee, National
Red Cross:
ITO us, amidst our prosperity and
abundance, comes the cry Of starving
millions in a far country. In pop
ulous province of China the disas-
trous foods have ruined the crops and
dire is the distress Of the people. Mr..
Rodgers, the United States consul at
Shanghai, cables to the state depart
ment that the famine conditions are
daily growing worse, and that immense
numbers are unqueStionably starving;
and that the sickly, afflicted and old
are left in the famine district while
refugees are concentrating in the ad-
jacent cities, where they are poorly
provided for.
"An appeal has come to President
Roosevelt from a relief committee OF
foreign consuls, and other prominent
men of Shanghai, for flour and food
supplies, and the American National
Red Cross willingly takes up the duty
of collecting funds, for the purpose OF
such food supplies to be forwarded,
with the consent Of congress, on gov
ernment transports to these suffering
people.
"The Chinese minister received from
China and from his countrymen In the
United States $222,000 for the relief OF
the Chinese in San Francisco. Fifty
thousand dollars of this amount, how
ever, was given to the general RELIEF
fund of Oakland for the assistance OF
all refugees.
Better and richer will be our hap
piness at this holiday season II from
our plenty we, each Of us, according TO
our ability. help to relieve the suffer-
ings of these starving men, women
and children along the valley Of the
Yangsti river"
Permit me, therefore, in all earnest
ness, to appeal to my fellow citizens
| of the good old state of South Caro-
| lima, without distinction of rank or
condition, and to the churches irres-
pective of creed, to forward their con-
tributions without delay for the vic
tins of this unparalleled horror.
BE merciful after thy power. If
thou hast much give plenteously; If
| thou hast little do thy diligence gladly
to give of that little; for so gatherest
thou for thyself a good reward in the
day of necessity"
To the Chinese residents Of South
Carolina, who may desire and deter
mine to contribute venture to make
the suggestion that the Red Cross Is
the surest, speediest and most econom-
ical method of forwarding their do
nations. The money is handled through
the United States treasury, and hur-
ried forward by cable, without cost.
President Roosevelt has designated
the Red Cross as the medium for the
receipt and distribution of all such
| funds.
| would take occasion here to ask
the editors Of our state press to pub
lish this appeal for aid in their papers.
There cannot be q shadow OF doubt as
to the appalling necessities, inasmuch
as the foreign consuls and prominent
men Of Shanghai have formed them
selves into committee of relief, and
through this committee to make these
| known to the world.
Contributions to this cause may be
| handed in or sent to Mr.. John b.
Reeves. treasurer of the fund. at the
| State Savings Bank, Charleston, to
the president of the branch, or to The
| YOrkville Enquirer.
In the sincere hope that this appeal
may meet with that liberal response
so characteristic of the generous peo-
pie of South Carolina. and that our
churches will make common cause in
| the matter A. c. KAUFMAN,
President South Carolina Branch,
American National Red Cross.
Charleston, December 2S 1906.