Drought and Unrest in China
In the Orient.—The most prolonged drought that has visited southern China in years is now causing suffering and starvation throughout Tonquin and Indo-China. The rice crop is said to be almost a complete failure, and thousands are said to be dying because of lack of transportation for supplies. Parents are selling their children and husbands their wives to obtain rice. Both Hongkong and Shanghai are said to be short of water, and there is drought also in Amoy. The Chinese Government has at last yielded to England’s demands for the death of the officials responsible for the protection of the two missionaries murdered some months ago. China’s yielding on this point was brought about by a British naval demonstration. The Kwangsi rebels have captured the city of Szenfu and also several district cities in that prefecture, and put to death such of the officials as were unable to escape. One report from Peking states that the empress dowager is seriously planning another uprising against the powers. Reports of the number of soldiers and amount of ammunition that could be supplied by the different viceroys have been asked for and received, and instructions have been given to drill the Manchus in the western drill, so that they can in turn instruct the soldiery in all parts of the country.