The Washington herald., 1920-11-16
TAFT ASKS AID
FOR REDCROSS
Cites Starving China in Plea
For Popular Response
To Drive.
By WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT.

The fourth Red Cross call is now
being held. and will continue until
the 2sth OF this month. 1t is In
accord with human nature that
public interest In the Red Cross
since the war should wane. or at
least that many of the people
whose support is necessary to con-
tinue its usefulness should cease
their contributions. This roll call
Is being conducted for the purpose
Of maintaining the old member
ship and securing the dues there
from.
There still remains much of war
work for the Red Cross. The fall
ure of the War Risk Insurance and
the Vocational Educational bureaus
promptly to discharge their func-
tions has thrown upon the Red
Cross an obligation to make up for
these deficiencies. the extent of
which the general public does not
know. II still has a great deal of
work in the matter of rehabilita-
tion and aid for the countries
ruined by the war in Europe. with
the funds which came to the Red
Cross during the war and which
were expended. IL has projected and
Is carrying on a plan for helping
the cause of public health and well
fare in parts of this country where
the local authorities have not been
able to meet the requirements.
China Asks Help.
Just at the time of this roll call
comes most distressing news from
China to make clear the need OF
maintaining the Red Cross and its
organization in all its efficiency. In
the Northern part of China, in the
provinces of Chilli. Honan. Shan
tung and Shansi, there is a dreadful
drought, the extent OF which is hard
to overstate. The region Is one
drained by the Yellow River, which
at times has overfowed it's banks.
and has thus been destructive. But
this year the famine is brought
about by the lack of water. There
has not been more than thrce inches
Of rain in that region in twelve
months.
The meagre harvest of last year
has been followed by an almost
complete failure of the spring and
autumn crops for this year. The
famine will affect at least 10000, 900
OF people. Whole districts OF peo-
rle are living on weeds. leaves of
trees and bran. Complete demoral-
isation prevails. There arc authen-
ticated cases Of families who have
committed suicide all together.
The crops do nto average for the
entire year more than s per cent Of
the normal. The chairman OF the
Pekin Chapter of the American Red
Cross says that many trainloads of
famine refugees have been turned
back from Manchuris and are fac
ing slow starvation in Tien Tsia.
China has been in a condition of
Threatening unrest. This famine is
not likely to allay matters
Last Great Famine.
Thes last great famine in China
was that of Kaingpeh. in 1906. 1t
covered an area of 10000 square
miles and involved sonic 10000. 900
people; but this one. SO far as IL
ran be calculated exceeds in its
extent 100000 SOU miles. affect
ing possibly 25,000.000 people. An
e&rlier Chinese femme, OF 1878. re-
suited In the dea'h Of between
100000 and 1900 900 people.
The government Of China has
asked the European powers to con-
eSNs " oh iuCTc4Sc IN aIne import
duties, in order that a fund may be
created to meet the necessities. The
people of the various cities of China
are raising private funds. and
tax is proposed by the government
upon the salaries of its officials.
The United States Minister has
telegraphed the State Department
confirming these alarming reports.
He says that many of the inhabi-
tants are selling their household
effects at famine prices and emil
grating from their districts.
Great Sums Needed.
II is estimated that the amount OF
money required to gave the situa-
tion will be from S10e, 100000 to
$500. 100000. This is needed not only
to keep alive those whom famine
viii otherwise carry on, but 1t IS 70
enable farmers to secure the seed