The Famine in Northern China
The extent and severity of the famine in Northern China can scarcely be realized in America. In this country of vast resources, numerous railways, and sparse population (only fourteen to the square mile), a failure of crops may cause "hard times" in the district immediately affected, but a famine is scarcely possible, at least such a thing has never been experienced in our country. In China, however, the case is very different. The country is destitute of railroads, and is densely peopled. The provinces now suffering from famine are said to have a population of from 150 to nearly 500 per square mile. A vast majority of these are poor. At least they lead a precarious existence, living from hand to mouth, and with them a failure of crops means not simply financial embarrassment, as it does to the American farmers, but hunger, cold, and nakedness, and in many cases actual starvation. Northern China has cold winters, and in the present case the horrors of famine have been increased by the rigors of a hard winter. The Chinese Government has done something for the relief of its suffering subjects, and the people in the more favored districts have also contributed, but the resources of the Government and of the people are alike limited, and an appeal has been made to the world. Relief committees have been formed not only in China but in London, Berlin, New York, San Francisco, and other cities, and funds are being collected and aid forwarded as rapidly as possible. It is stated that the sum of ninety cents will provide food for a single person for three months, and if such be the case certainly none should be permitted to starve unless lack of transportation prevents aid from reaching them in season.