The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-08
BIRMINGHAM ASKED ID HELP CHINESE Famine Committee Appeal
 ing for Aid
 MANY ARE STARVING Petition Sent to Chamber of Com- merce Asking That the City Be
 Organized to Send Funds to the Famine District
MANY ARE STARVING

The Rev. E. C. Lobenstine of Shanghai China, honorary secretary of the Central China famine relief committee, has ap- peaied to Birmingham to assist the for nation of the new China by contributing toward the famine relief fund. In a let ter addressed to the Chamber of Com merce the Chinese committee points out the fact that China, handicapped by the revolution, is in dire need of food for the starving millions there.
 The communication will be placed be- fore the Chamber of Commerce at the earliest meeting, which is February 23 and if the petition is indorsed a com mttee will doubtless be named to ham, de such money as this city will for ward to relieve Chinas condition.
 The following are extracts from the letter sent to 300 cities of the United States by the Chinese committee:
 Cities to Act
 Tn previous famines people all over the country have given as individuals, but it is now proposed that throughout the nation each city act a unit, cable at once its willingness to help, raise a fund to be sent on as fast as it comes in, and OF May 10 cable a statement of the total with a message of good will in the name of the city. We shall transmit these to the Chinese press and publish them in a booklet to be presented to off cials, and members of the national and provincial assemblies, and thus not only help to avert a great calamity but make the alleviation of suffering the opportun- ity of strengthening the friendship be- tween China and the United States.
 'rhe time is opportune. America has long been looked on by China as a dis interested friend The return of large part of the Boxer indemnity made a deep impression. The insistance of the revo- lutionary party upon a republic shows how great is the influence of the United States. All these are beginnings, and with the opening of the Panama canal will make China neighbor in a new sense
 "A demonstration of friendlness on Il national scale, will, in this hour of need, arouse great enthusiasm among the men Of the new China, and the effect on trade and political relations and on the prog ress of civilization and Christianity will be incalculable
 Prevent Starvation
 "The funds raised will be used to avert starvation and at the same time to start China upon a policy of conservation. It is not enough to pour rice into the rathole of famine; it is planned to give relief only in return for labor on canals and dykes except in the case -4ef -these~-wiro are unable to work Competent foreign and Chinese engineers will cooperate in making all such work of permanent value in preventing future floods. The famine committee believes that the new govern nlent will adopt programme of conser- vation. and until this can be carried to completion, shoulder the responsibility of relieving famine conditions, thus making the committee which is presenting this appeal the last of its kind in China. The new China is awake to the situation and many influential men are already pledged to such a policy.
 The famine will be at it's worst in February and March and will continue until harvest in the middle of May. It Is imperative that money begin to come in before the end of February If great loss of life is to be avoided. We con- fidently hope that you will take prompt measures to bring tfAs before the cit izens of Birmingham and secure large fund We beg to suggest that a publicity campaign be carried on and contributions received by committee of the Chamber of Commerce, or that the Chamber of Commerce appoint committee of citizens for this purpose, or authorize the press 10 take it up in the name of the city. It will save life.''
 Some Instructions
 These instructions are also enclosed:
 'The most economical way of sending contributions large or small is to nav them into your local bank for transmits sion to the International Banking cor poration, New York or San Francisco That institution win cable the money out of it's Shanghai branch for payment to the treasurer of the Central China famine relief committed Simply take your banks receipt for the money.
 "Contributions may also be sent to any foreign mission board or to the Red Cross society, Washington. D. c.
 Money should be paid in as fast as collected. Promptness will save life. To be of largest use, all moneys should reach Shanghai before May |
 The treasurer of the Central China famine relief committee is MT. H. c. Grlland. manager of the International