DESTITUTE CHINESE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 246, 16 October 1937, Page 9

DESTITUTE CHINESE

HOMELESS THOUSANDS Living In Alleys And Doorways FOOD FROM GARBAGE CANS AUTHORITIES CONCERNED IBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Oct. 15, 8.15 p.m. SHANGHAI, Oct. 15. Wi> the approach of winter the authorities arc most concerned at the plight of the destitute Chinese, many of whom have fled from the war zones. It is cstl. mated that a million have evacuated their home:;, of which number three-quarters have gone to Shanghai. Two hundred thousand are homeless, living in alleys and doorways, while tens ot thousands of others are housed in mat sheds. All need warm clothing, bedding and medical supplies. There is a fear of outbreaks ol smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhus, meningitis and influenza. Many of those destitute rely on garbage cans for food, while others beg. Thousands are living on the charity of friends or on their own dwindling resources. It is feared that half a million will be destitute before Christmas, and the total is likely to be increased as the hostilities extend. Three hundred anc fifty thousand farmers outside th< municipal areas are unable to harvest their summer crops and will not b< able to plant autumn crops. Reliel funds are almost exhausted. POISON GAS ALLEGED CHINESE NOTES TO LEAGUE TWO MEDICAL CERTIFICATES GENEVA, Oct. 14. China lias sent two new Notes t® the League accusing Japan of using poison gas and dumdum bullets and continuing to bomb open towns. Two statements from League medical officers are attached, certifying that three cases in Nanking Hospital ar< suffering from gas poisoning. ATTACK ON BRITISH CARS WERE USING NOTIFIED ROUTE [ British Official Wirclccs.] RUGBY, Oct. 14. Investigations have established that the motor-cars in which a British party was attackedby Japanese aeroplanes earlier in the week were following the ruote betwen Nanking and Shanghai which had been previously notified through the consular authorities to the Japanese armed forces. CHARTERED CARGO BOAT CHINESE (REW ON STRIKE SYDNEY, Oct. 14, The British-owned cargo boat Silksworth, chartered by a Japanese firm and bound for Dairen in Manchukuo is now held up at Newcastle owing to the refusal of the Chinese crew to sail with the vessel, which is of 500 U tons. The Chinese fear for their owr safety at the Japanese port.

HONGKONG AND CANTON

LAST LINK SEVERED HONGKONG, Oct. 14. The last link between Hongkong and Canton was severed when the Japanese destroyed a section of the railway and also the telephone lines.

RED CROSS APPEAL MEETING IN WELLINGTON MRS LOWRY’S SUGGESTION [ Per Press Asrwiation. ] WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. A suggestion that £lO,OOO be sough from New' Zealanders was made b’ Mrs Lowry at the joint council ot the Order of St. John and the Rei Cross. It was proposed that Australia and New’’ Zealand should send 20 doctors and five orthopaedic surgeons, as well as stores and equipment. Captain Galloway and Mr C. Mea-» chen were appointed interim secretaries, and the executive was given power to add to its number of representatives of organisations that might be able to assist in the appeal. Mr Feng Wong, Consul for China, was present and thanked the meeting for what was being done on behalf oj his countrymen.

( ABLES FROM OVERSEAS ( Ter Press Association, f WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. The New Zealand reports that the following cables have been received with regard to the appeal for China. From the League of Red Cross Societies at Paris, the International Red Cross Committee, which communicates the following from Shanghai: “Confirm urgency of need. Forwarded a detailed list of their requirements. All committees ar« working with the Chinese Red Crosi and the Health Minister shouldl guarantee distribution accordingly. Advise despatch to Nanking, via Shanghai”; and from the Australian Red Cross, contributing the canvas for 1000 stretchers and approximately 200 instruments. Volunteers for the personnel and money contributions are being invited through the Press. / I