Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-06
CHINA ACES ANIME
One Hundred Thousand Dead
in Yang-Tsze Valley.
FEAR GENERAL UPRISING
Hundreds of Square Miles Under
Water-Hungry Hordes
Beset Cities.

SHANGHAI. September 6. : The rice
famine caused by the foods throughout
China has extended to Shanghai. Of
fcials here, apprehensive of serious ris-
ings in the vicinity, and in order to pre-
vent a monopoly. have issued procla-
nation prohibiting merchants from
charging more than s11 picu1 the
record price reached today.
The supply on hand, it is estimated,
will last the population of 10000 Chinese
FIVE days.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce met
$500. 900 (Mexican) from the Governor of
Foochow to purchase rice in Hongkong
and Siam. where prices already have
risen to Shanghai rates, owing to large
purchases by Japanese to relieve the dis
tress in Formosa.
The committee also wired to Picking to
remove the embargo against certain
places in kiangsu province selling rice
to outside ports. 1t hopes by this means
to alleviate the distress until the arrival
Of foreign cargoes.
All the districts usually depended upon
by the Shanghai coast ports for supplies
have lost crops by rain or flood. They,
in common with the central provinces,
face starvation.
Pestilence Breaks Out.
The floods in the Yang-Tsze river con-
tinue. Hundreds of square miles are
still under water, the dykes being unable
to resist the pressure. In some districts
southwest Of Shanghai the farmers have
united in raising dykes and have sue
ceeded in keeping water out, although 1t
Is ten feet above the level Of the fields,
where reclamation is impossible.
Farmers are engaged up to their nec<s
In water cutting submerged crops in the
hope Of obtaining nourishment from the
soaked grain.
In the valley Of the Yang-Tsze it Is est
mated that more than 100000 persons
have persisted up to date, while millions
have been driven from their ruined homes
to the hillsides, where the majority live
in the open like pigs The remainder are
sheltered from the torrential doWnpours
by fragile mating. and subsist upon
roots. grass, weeds. leaves and bark, with
the little grain carried with them in
their flight
The mortality is increasing daily owing
to an outbreak of pestilence.
The trains on the Marking railway are
blocked by thousands of refugees. Bands
Of refugees are beginning to march to-
ward the large cities, pillaging and burn
ing The whole district of Changshu,
near Soochow. has been swept by them.
Rice shops have been looted or deStroye ed
and government buildings burned. The
walled city OF Soochow Is also threatened
and several shops have been attacked.
The military has SO far held the crowds
in check. In order to protect Marking
troops have been called out to stop the
advance Of refugees. but 1t is feared that
as soon as the water abates millions
from the hills will join the general move
ment and overrun the country unless re-
lief is conveyed to them.
All Valley Cities Flooded.
ALI ports along the Yang-Tsze report
floods In the streets. Hankow, Ngankin,
Wuhu. Chinkiang and Marking are SUBJ
merged and houses are flooded. At Wuhu
the distress is most acute
Most Of the Chinese have been driven
from their homes. Many foreign houses
are endangered. The natives are camped
on the hills in the vicinity and are be-
ing fed by the famine fund commission
ers. The British and American Tobacco
Company will dispatch its own staff to-
morrow to distribute food to the amount
committe. which did excellent work
early this year. is reorganizing as gen.
eral committee The American consul,
Mr.. Wilder, will be asked to act as chair
man.
while the famine will be the most Sc
rious in this century newspapers here
urge foreign countries not to recklessly
give relief unless the Chinese government
undertakes to provide adequate measures
to protect the people in future.
Rear Admiral Murdoch of the Ameri-
can squadron now here will depart up
the river to make an inspection Sunday
next.