The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-15
MULTIPLIED
THOUSANDS DIE
INPROvINCES0 OF
STRICKEN CHINA
Canton, Isolated, Swept by
Flames and Raging Waters.
Electric Plant Inundated; City
Has No Lights.
CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL MENACED
Much Mission Property Endan-
gered or Destroyed.
Conditions in Devastated Dis
tricts Are Appalling.
u, S. SHIPS RUSH To RESCUE
CaIIaO to West River: Whining
ton to Canton.
No Americans Thus Far Are Re-
ported Lost.
Conditions in Devastated Dis
tricts Are Appalling.
U, S. SHIPS RUSH TO RESCUE
CaIIaO to West River: Whining
ton to Canton.
No Americans Thus Far Are Re-
ported Lost.

Hong Kong, July 15.-Tens of
thousands of natives are esti-
mated to have been drowned by
the floods in the Chinese pro-
vinces of Kwantung, Kwangsi
and Kiangsi. The desolation in
the devastated districts is~-tef-
rible according to the latest re-
ports reaching here.
A fire-swept area of one mile
and raging floods are handicap
ping the first work of rescue in
Canton. The city was in dark
ness last night, the water having
inundated the machinery of the
electric light plant.
The last report received here
from Canton before communi-
cation was cut said that the
Christian hospital was in danger
from fire.
Canton Practically Isolated.
Washington, July 15.-Consul Gen
eral Anderson, at Hong Kong re
ported today that Canton was isolated,
except to powerful steamers. Thou
sands have been drowned and tens of
thousands are taking refuge on high
places. Thousands of houses have
been burned, American mission prop
erty has either been damaged or de
stroyed and foreigners are taking ref
uge at the British consulate at Flu
Chow.
No Americans have been lost as far
as is known.
The Amel lean gunboats Wilmington
and Callao of the Asiatic squad
ron ron are rushing from Hong
urgent rescue" work. Commander
Huff of the Wilmington cabled today
that the Callao is bound for West
River, and the Wilmington for Can
ton.
Under Ten Feet of Water.
The state department summarized
its dispatches on the flood situation as
follows:
Canton is practically isolated. On
Shamen (an island in Canton harbor)
the foreign settlement is under ten
feet of water. Thousands have been
drowned. Tens of thousands are talk
ing refuge upon the house tops and
other high places and are starving
thousands of houses in Canton
nave been burned. American mission
property in the region between aCn-
Ton; hongmoon and Wpchow is either
destroyed or badly damaged. All for
elgners at Wuchow have taken refuge
at the British consulate, which is sit
uated on a bluff.
so far as is known no American
lives have bene lost.
Inc American consul general at
Hong Kong says further that he has
peen unable for five days to commun-
icate by telegraph With Consul Ches-
hlre at Canton. The Hong Kong gov
ernment and citizens there are organ
1zins relief. American naval vessels
are proceeding up the West river to
assist in the rescue of those in dis
treSs. " ~
The consul general recommends
lmnaeulate Red Cross assistance mas
much as there will be Widesnread Il
FAMINE involving millions of human
beings He asked for a tenoporarv AL
lowance of $4,000"
Red Cross Appeal.
The statement notes that the floods
are not in the region to which tba
American Red Cross sent enginaarS
last wear to devise means of flood nra
vention. The West river valley is a
thousand miles distant from the scepa
of the floods last year, and is Of az
entirely different character GIL
The Red Cross will immediately -,
peal to the public for the fIood s1,e
teferS. Some immediate action viii
be taken, depending upon the fnrtbaT
generosity of the American peopIe al
though Officials realize the burden
they have borne in relief contrib,1
1ons because of the war The Ped
cross funds are almost at the point Of
exhaustion AoiAie "a