893.48/3069
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s telegram no. 1022 of November 3, 5 p.m., and my reply, no. 1294 of November 6, 2 p.m.,60 and to transmit copy of a confidential memorandum on the famine in Honan, prepared by Third Secretary John S. Service, who has recently returned from a brief visit to the province.61
Conditions in Honan have been deteriorating for several years. Honan is a front-line area in the Chinese war of resistance to the Japanese, who threaten the province from the north, south and east. The farmers of Honan have been required to produce food not only for the normal population but for the large Chinese military forces stationed in the area. Now has come a failure of the spring and summer crops. Taxation in kind and the requisitioning of foodstuffs for military use have drained off most of the 20% crop of this year. As a result more than two million persons may starve while some ten to eighteen million will be seriously affected. Lines of transport into the province are limited and are being monopolized to move supplies for the military. The Government was slow in recognizing the famine situation in the province and there is, apparently, much complaint and criticism by the people.
Respectfully yours,
- Neither printed.↩
- Memorandum not printed. It stated, among other things, that at some points “the situation has been made worse by flood after a new opening of the dikes by the Chinese army in an attempt (reportedly unsuccessful) to divert the Yellow River so as to cut off the Japanese foothold established last Fall on the west bank.” In conclusion, Mr. Service said: “There is as yet no indication that an upheaval is near.… But the atmosphere of longing for peace and of dislike of the government and army which are supposed to protect them is unmistakable.”↩