The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-14

u,
knowledged aud forwarded.
Following Is the apps l.:
CENTRAL CHINA FAMINE RELIEF
COMMiTTEE.
Executive COMMITTEE
Rt, Rev. r.. X. Graves, chairman.
H f. WI Ting, l.. l.. D., vice-chair-
Ii G. Gulland, ESQ. and Chu Pac
San. ESQ.,. Hon, treasqrers.
Rev. II. c. Lobensteln. Hon. secre-
tary.
eu Ye Dinii, Esq, Chinese secre-
tary.
These officers, and a number of dis
unguished gentlemen, among them the
American Consul, General Amos T..
Wilder. Phd.. form the personnel of
this committee.
Shanghai. January 5. 1912.
As you read this letter 100000
people in China are facing starvation.
4 great effort Is being made out here,
but apart from the Chinese govern
ment the chief reliance Of the Central
China Famine Relief Committee Is
upon the generosity of England and
America. and the utmost efforts will
fall far a short OF preventing all the
loss OF lift.
China Is facing a tremendous calam-
ity. Most OF the two and a half mil
lions who are in such dire need of
help are In the same district where
the famine RACED las, year. The CHI
nese are in the midst OF a struggle
for freedom. and unable to do much
Tor their Own people. indeed ono great
reason for the revolution Is the recur-
renee Of famine conditions. Through
out a large portion OF two popuious
provinces schls arc closed. business IL
at q stand-stiIi. the weak are becoming
beggars, families are being broken UP.
by the sale OF wives and daughters.
4Hte44res efL p4ee.aHa- the people
are lapsing into apathy ana moral
chaos.
In previous fanies people all over
America have given as individuals.
but II Is now proposed that throughout
the nation. each city act as a unit.
cable at once Its willingness to help,
raise q fund to be sent on as fast as
It ocmcs in, and on May 10 cable a
total sent to date, with a mes
sage Of good will In the name Of the
city. We shall transmit these mes
safes to the Chinese press and publish
them In booklet to be presented to
ofaG1Als. and members Of the national
and provincial assemblies. and thus not
only help to avert q great calamity,
but make the aievition OF suffering the
opportunity OF Strengthening the
friendship between China and the
United States.
The time is opportune. America has
long been looked on by China as
disinterested friend. The return of a
large part Of the Boxer indemnity
made deem impression. The insist
ence OF the Revolutionary party upon
Republic shows how great Is the
infiuepce OF the United States. All
hese are beginning and with the OPEN
Ing Of the Panama canal Will make
China a neighbor In a new sense. The
demonstration Of friendless on a ma
tional scale. will In this hour of need
arouse Freat enthusiasm among the
men OF new China, and the effect upon
trade and paiiticaI relations. and on
the progress OF civilization and CHRIS
ttanity will be incalculable.
The funds raised will be used TO
avert starvation. and at the same time
TO start China upon a policy OF con-
servation. 1t is not enough today to
pour rice into the rat hole Of famine.
It Is planned to give relief only In
return for labor on canals and dykes.
except in the case OF those unable to
work. Competent foreign and Chin
ese engineers will cooperate in max
ttiH al 6NCEi WuTh PERMANENT III N6luE
In preventing future foods The
famine committee believe that the new
government will adopt program OF
conservation and. until this can be
carried TO completion. shoulder the
responsibility OF relieving famine con-
ditions. thus making the committee
which u presenting this appeal the
last OF tn kind In China. The new
China 10 awake to the situation and
many influential men are already
pted3ed To Aush .pc5icy. The famine
VIII be ~ iS worst In February and
March and will continue until har-
vest In the middle OF May. 1t Is Inn
perative that money begin to come
in before the end OF February II great
loss Of lie u to be avoided.
II IS our desire In naming this
appeal that the hearts and minds OF
be turned towards China as never
before. and that the relief Of the
suffering brought about by this
famine na&y ba made Il movement nj
NATIONAL scope. q great piece of
Christian craftsmanship which will be
q landmark In the history of the ma
tons Of America and with the Far
East
We are writing you In the hope
that you will be moved not only to
make . persOnal contribution, but To
be the Ambassador OF these helpless
people out here. and interest the peo-
pie Of your church and community
In arising fund.
II will fave life,
Very truly yours.
=. @. LOBENSTINE.
Hon. Sec.
Endorssd ~ Mayor.
Fob. 13. 1914.
Thi1 appeal Of the Central China