The Virginia enterprise., 1907-09-13

eigners in the interior, with the ex.
ception of few working on conces-
s1Ons, are only missionaries. These
latter are likewise practically the only
ones who spend laborious years in
learning the Chinese language; the
foreign mercantile houses do business
through Engllsh-speaking Chinese
"shroffs" or "compradores." 1t is as
true as most generalizations, to say
that the missionaries alone among the
foreigners understand the Chinese.
SO it was, quite naturally, the mis-
sionaries who first called attention to
the imminence Of famine in Kiangpeh,
or North River country. During the
spring and summer heavy rains fell
throughout Kiangpu and Anhuei
provinces, and in the adjacent parts
of Shantung and Honan provinces.
The Yellow river overflowed it's banks,
as did the Grand canal and lesser
streams, dikes breaking in many
places. Since the land is at many
points lower than the ancient canals,
the country was long time sub
merged.
Despite the floods, the mission.
aries continued to traverse their
fields, one of them, at least, nearly
losing his life by drowning. Miss
Read, for example, Of Antung, timer.
ated among the sufferers for six and
seven miles at time, in water above
her waist, on one occasion she was
barely out of a house before it COL
lapsed. Native churches and native
homes, both alike built Of mud or Of
sun dried bricks, crumbled before the
attacks of the waters. So before
China herself knew that there was to
be famine, the missionaries were
sending home their pleas to the re-
ligious papers. A missionary relief
committee was first in the field, but
it was later rendered unnecessary by
the larger, stronger general commit
tee at Shanghai, which soon had the
missionaries who live in the district
busily employed distributing its funds
The Unspeakabie Chinese.
Christendom can never understand
the Chinese, not even when it sees
him in his native element. The depth
and callousness of his selfishness and
materialism Is simply beyond the tell.
ing. In sharp contrast with the activ-
ity of the missionaries In behalf of the
homeless and the hungry was the in
difference of the Chinese officials. At
first they reported that there was no
famine. Then they tried to minimize
it. Then, when it became evident that
relief funds were in sight, affording
rich pickings to the rascals, they
swelled the figures enormously. My
own investigation confirms me in the
belief that the missionary figures are
conservative; 100000 people, over
10000 square miles, affected by the
famine, and 100000 menaced by &C.
tual starvation unless given aid
A normal resident of a civilized
subjects. Yet the Chinese seemingly
have no sense OF compassion; for
simon-pure selflshness they outrank
even an American corporation. When
a Chinaman does good deeds it is for
his own advantage, not for the other
mans assistance. In most cities in
this country there are societies "for
laying up merit by doing good works."
the supporters are after the merit
which Buddhism assures them.
Last Monday in the Office of one of
these societies I saw three little chill
dren, aged perhaps IL. eight and four,
apply for help. The two youngest
were ashen with cold and hunger, and
they were crying. A fat and greasy