893.48/4024
The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 21.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s despatch no. 933, February 15, 1943, concerning famine conditions in Honan, and to enclose herewith copy of China Information Daily Bulletin (Ministry of Information release) of March 17, 1943,48 noting the amounts which are to be spent for relief in Honan.
The Bulletin states that over CNC $200,000,000 (U.S. $10,000,000) has been “set aside” and that some CNC $87,000,000 (U. S. $4,400,000) has actually been “appropriated” or “advanced” to the famine sufferers. Practically all of the funds involved are for various forms of indirect relief—road building, land reclamation, irrigation projects, and for re-colonization plans; CNC $400,000,000, or almost half of the total thus far remitted, is intended for farm loans for the purchase of rice at government controlled prices.
There is no mention of any movement whatsoever of actual food or relief commodities into the region, and it is not specified whether there really is a supply of the rice which is to be obtained at the fixed prices. In view of the distance of Honan (the northern portion of which, above the Yellow River, is largely occupied by the Japanese) and of the lateness of the season, it is doubted that the present large transfers of credits, together with their attendant schemes of distribution, will do a great deal to alleviate the sufferings of the thousands who have been starving in that area. However it is indicated that the National Government is interested in displaying a continued concern for their plight.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩