PLIGHT OF CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20479, 3 February 1930, Page 12

PLIGHT OF CHINA.

STORY BY EYE-WITNESS,-

WAR, FAMINE AND DISEASE.

WORK OF SALVATION ARMY.

[»Y TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINOTON, Sunday. A graphic picture of the appalling conditions in the Chinese Republic was given

by Adjutant Sowton, of the Salvation Army, who, with Mrs. Sowton, has been doing missionary work in that field. They aro now in New Zealand on furlough.

Adjutant Sowton is a son of Commissioner and Mrs. Sowton, and his wife is a New Zealander, a daughter of Lieuten-ant-Colonel and Mrs. Carmichacl, who aro at present in charge of the central north division, with headquarters at I almeisLon North. Tho adjutant says there aro thousands of Chinese soldiers living on tho country, and wherever they aro quartered the people have to feed thcrn. 'J.lie abnormal taxation is crushing. Famine, floods and locust plagues added to this have produced conditions disastrous beyond doscript ion. The official figures stale tho population of Peking to be 1,342,000, and of this number 400,000 aro cither very poor or in absolute destitution. Theic is no work because of tho lack of money and insecurity. • . The number of bandits has greatly increased, and robberies with murder and violence aro rapidly becoming more common. The kidnapping and holding to ransom of the rich is an everyday affair, and a considerable number of missionaries have suffered such treatment, soma having been bruLallv murdered and otheis maimed. Bandits, sometimes in companies of 3000 strong, swoop down on city or town,, overcomo the soldiers (if there are any), loot and shoot, and if thero is resistance set fire to the place. Other aro mot in smaller numbers. Life is "dirt cheap." But tho cost of living has more than doubled and is still rising. "In spite of tho chaotic conditions of affairs," said the adjutant, ' tho Salvation Army is struggling to carry on its work, and is slowly gaining _ ground, i whereas formerly, a strong national pre-

jndice militated against persons joining an organisation with foreign connection. The Army halls are now _ crowded with people, and open-air meetings call forth respect and attention.'' Apart from tho usual winter relief carried on by tlio Army in Tientsin and Peking, by means of which this year food was provided daily for over 10.000 people, (ho Army undertook similar operations in llio famine-stricken areas. Conditions wero found to be appalling. . Men wero literally dying as they walked about, and when finally they dropped in tho streets they wero thrown outsido tho city to ravening dogs. By using funds allotted for this purpose about 16,000 persons wero being fed every day afc the great kitchens opened by tho Army.