“Slow Death”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6633, 21 August 1931, Page 7

“Slow Death”

The Horror at Hankow

FLOOD AFFECTS THIRTY MILLION CHINESE

United Press Association. —By Electric Tel egraph.—Copyright. SHANGHAI, Aug. 19.

Slow death is engulfing tho entire Hankow district. The flood ter is continuing to create new high level records and it is estimated thirty million inhabitants are affected. The material damage is beyond computation. The remaining dykes are crumbling rapidly and tho most solid buildings collapsing. Lack of drinking water and food, spreading disease and the absence rf lighting at night is creating a situation unparalleled in China’s history of disasters. The stench of dead human be" igs and animals is addiug to the b 'rror. Gunboats Cruise in Streets SHANGHAI, Ar g 19. A British naval dispatch reports the possibility of gunboats negotiating the streets in the event of it being necessary to prevent the looting of British property. A five-storey Chinese hotel containing hundreds of refugees collapsed ; .d is sagging across the high tension wires, heightening the dangers. Entire Crops Ruined SHANGHAI, Aug. 19. Almost the entire autumn crops in the Yangtse Valley are ruined and an unpreedented famine is ahead. XJ.S. Red Cross Relief Received Thursday, 9.50 p.m. NEW YORK, Aug. 19. The H.S. Red Cross has allotted a hundred thousand dollars for the relief of the flood sufferers in the Yangtse river, China. It will be dispensed by a committee at Hankow.