893.48/4042
The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 19.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s despatch no. 1082 of April 15, 194353 concerning the Honan famine and especially to the statement therein that it was believed that some belated action would be occasioned by the submission to the Generalissimo of the personal report of T. H. White54 and Harrison Forman55 and by the otherwise increasing publicity being given to the conditions in that province. There are now appearing in the press, almost daily, notices of many campaigns to raise funds for the famine sufferers. There have also begun to appear statements as to the actual arrival in Honan of certain quantities of food-stuffs, although the quantities are as yet inconsiderable.
[Page 225]The following from recent Central News despatches, indicate the extent of the relief measures which are being carried out:
On April 10th it was reported from Chungking that around 555,000 sacks of wheat had been sent to the famine affected regions from Shensi province, “under the instructions of the Central Government”. From two military districts in Shensi the army authorities had released from their granaries 110,000 sacks of wheat. It was stated that for several days the Lunghai Railway suspended ordinary traffic and devoted the line exclusively to the shipment of food supplies to Honan. It was claimed that the area to the west of Loyang is now adequately cared for but that emergency conditions still exist east of that point and also, that the situation in the east was now being aggravated by an influx of refugees from Shantung and Hopei to the north.
On April 15th it was reported from Loyang that numerous military organizations were contributing grain, and that the western section of the Lunghai Railway was choked with foodstuffs destined for Honan. It was estimated that 21,000 sacks of rice and miscellaneous cereals were being rushed to the famine region.
On April 18th it was reported from Sian that the Shensi Provincial Government was sending large quantities of foodstuffs, “in compliance with the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s order”. It was stated that the first batch of more than 1,600 tons of foodstuffs was being transported by the Lunghai Railway.
On April 19th it was reported from Loyang that the relief organization was well developed and that it was expected that by the end of April each sufferer will have been given C. N. $10.00 (U. S. $0.50) in cash and 15 catties of corn and 12 catties of wheat.
Respectfully yours,