The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-20

More than $50 was added to the
virginian's Chinese Relief Fund by
charftably inclined donors Monday.
The total amount thus far raised by
The virginian through its readers ana
friends in Richmond and Virginia Is
now $416.44.
The virginian publishes receipt
from Treasurer A. Piatt Andrew ana
Secretary Charles l.. Magee. or the
American National Red Cross. for
s36s.94. which was sent by check
some days ago. The Virginian Is de-
sirous OF receiving q large number
of subscriptions to the Chinese Relief
Fund during the present week. that
another substantial check may be sent
10 the Red Cross Socisty's officers and
forwarded By cable to the famine
stricken provinces of China
Horrible Conditions.
The famine, pesti1ence. sickness and
death in China are due to the nooolng
OF two OF the largest provinces IN chi
ms. by the overlooking Hwai river sew
erai weeks ago Conditions were bad
enough before the food. but since that
calamity was visited upon the inhabi-
tauts of the provinces. conditions have
become more deplorable than pen or
brush can paint The several million
inhabitants were suffering before the
food because their crops were features
and they faced an unusually severe
winter. The little provisions they mad
managed to rake together were washed
away by the flood. Their houses were
swept of with the swollen rivers cur
rent together with their clothing and
many OF their relatives. They have
been eating the bark from trees. roots
from the ground. foliage from trees,
worms from the earth, selling their
children to get money with which to
buy bread, and budding together in
their nakedness to keep from freez-
ing. No balmy breezes blow over these
distressed and afflicted people. The
warmth of sunshine il not on their
bodies nor in their lives in any way.
The black and yawning chasm OF death
Is before them. II Is their constant
thought and fear.
And while they suffer the pangs of
starvation, while their bodies waste
away, while vultures circles about
them to carry Off their deceased rela-
tives whom they cannot bury. and
while the merciless winds bearing their
chill from over the sea lash and howl
about them. the people OF America and
other more fortunate nations are en-
toying prosperity. the good things OF
life. While perhaps Richmond and
Virginia men, women and children re-
vel In luxuries, hundreds Of Chinese
souls are taking their flight from
bodies sttil%d by the want Of the bare
necessities OF life. What II thrown
into the swill barrel OF Richmond
would be feast to these starving
people.
Thy Brothers Keeper.
There may be some differences Of
opinion as to what Interpretation
shall be placed on Am my brothers
keeper" There can be no doubt
that the civilized world should DO
the keeper Of these unfortunate Chin
csc until the bleak days of winter
have passed and they can assist them
selves
Tho virginian requests all Of It's
readers and friends to send In con-
tributions to the Chinese relief fund
that the true generosity and charity
for which the people Of this city and
State are famed may be known to the
world In q material way. and that
the donors may be made happy in
the giving. All contributions will be
acknowledged by The virginian Inn
mediAtely upon receipt. and the money
will be speedily forwarded to the Red
Cross Society which will expend II
in alleviating the suffering OF the
famine stricken, pestiience-r1dden
homeless and freezing people. Send
your contributions to The Virginian
at once. II matters not whether II
10 In pennies, nickles. dimes or dol
lara. Send Il In that Richmond and
Virginia may prove to the world that
the people Of no other city or State
can do more for an unfortunate race
than virginians.