Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-02-21
TO PREVENT
CHINESE STARVATION
Relief Committee Makes Appeal
To Christians of America
HELP MUST BE SENT At ONCE
Sufferings May Continue Until the
HaryeSts in May

Committee Of Shanghai, China, mas '
sent oat the following appeal in be- 4
half of the Chinese famine sufferers:
AS YOU read this letter 2,oOO, OOO ,
pecple in China are facing starva-
ton. A great effort is being MADE
out here, but apart from the Chi
nese government, the chief reliance
OF the Central China Famine Relief
Committee is upon the generosity oil
England and America, and the ut-
most efforts will fall far short OF
preventing all the loss of life,
China is facing a tremendous ca
lamity. Most of the two and hall
millions who are in such dire need
OF help, are in the same district
where the famine ragged last year.
The Chinese are in the midst OF
struggle for freedom, and unable
to do much for their own people, in
deed one great reason for the revo-
luton is the recurrence OF famine
conditions.
Throughout large portion OF two
p populous provinces schools are
! closed, business is at a standstill'
. the weak are becoming beggars,
!, families are being broken up Sy the
sale of wives and daughters, often
u into the lives of vice, and the peo-
e pie are lapsing into apathy and
d moral chaos.
% In previous famines, people all
l. over America have given as individ-
te uals, but it is now proposed that
,r throughout the nation, each city act
D as a unit, cable at once its willing
ID ness to help raise fund to be SEM
IN on as fast as it comes in, and on
~ May 10th cable total sent to date
be with a message OF good will in the
e. name of the city. We shall trans
Il. nit these messages to the Chines'
OF press and publish them il bookle
so TO be presented to officials and mem
cit hers of the National and Provincial
or Assemblies, and thus not only he'll
nd to avert a great calamity but max
he the elevation OF suffering the oppor
ok tunity of strengthening the friend
&C shin between China and the Unite
MS. States.
ra- The time is opportune. Amerie
uld has long been looked on by China {
ing a disinterested friend. The retur
ro- of a large part of the Boxer linden
uld nifty made deep impression. II
lies insistance of the Revolutional
the party upon Republic shows nc
sky great is the influence Of the Unit
t to States. All these are beginning
Is. and with the opening of the Panar
,ck Canal will make China neighb
said in a new sense. The demonstrate
re. of friendliness on a national SCI
,ols will in this hour of need arot
heir great enthusiasm among the men
&C If new China, and the effect W
oalv trade and political relations and
Par the progress of civilization
mn. Christianity will be incalculable.
~ of The funds raised will be used
bird avert starvation and at the sa
sun- time to start China upon a polio!
&c. conservation. 1t is not enough
ould day to pour rice into the rat-hol
j.. re famine. 1t is planned to give re
mail only as return for labor on cal
mert and dykes, except in the case
,d;sa those unable 10 work. Compel
cold foreign and Chinese engineers
r;aro co-operato in making all such
non permanent in value in prevent
.re;n future floods. The famine com
a. hat tee believe that the new governn
and will adopt a program OF conse
maid ton, and until this can be carrie
they completion, shoulder the respl
tates bility of relieving famine conditi
oveas thus making the committee whl'
much presenting this appeal the la
80 ord its kind in China. The new Z
H., a. i awake to the situation and
influential men are already ple'
to such policy.
On of The famine will be at its wor
;tat;on February and March, and will