THE FAMTNE IN CHINA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 304, 14 February 1879, Page 16

THE FAMINE IN CHINA.

Tin: Chinese Minister haa addrc.s»cd the following letter to the Foreign Secretary on the subject of the recent famine in China : — •' My Lord,— l have, been instructed by the Tsung-li Yamcn and the Grand Secretary Li to request that your lordship will have the goocldess to present to the subscribers of the China Famine Fund the grateful acknowledgment of the Chinese Government for the generous alacrity with which, on hearing of the fearful calamity which had befallen the northern provinces of China, they hastened to the assistance of the suffering population. The noble philanthropy which heard in a far-distant country Ihe cry of suffering, and hastened to its assistance, is too signal a recognition of the common brotherhood of humanity ever to be forgotten, and is all the more worthy of being remembered, because it was not a mere passing response to a generous emotion, but a continued effort pejsevered in, until, in sending the welcome rain, Heaven gave the assuring promise of returning plenty, and the sign that the brotherly succour was no longer required. Coming from Englishmen residing in all parts of the world, this spontaneous act of generosity made a deep impression on the Government and people of China, which cannot but have the effect of more closely cementing the friendly relations which now so happily exist between China and the Government and the people of this country. But the hand that gave also assumed the arduous duty of administci - ing the relief ; and here I would not forget to offer my grateful j thanks and condolence to the families of those, and they are not a few, who nobly fell in distributing the fund. To Englishmen in all parts of the world I beg to offer, through your Lordship, the thanks of the Government and people of China for the generous assistance afforded by them in a time of great calamity : but I more especially desire to thank his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Thomas Wade, Sir Rutherford Alcock, the Governor of Hong Kong, and the various missionaiy societies who inaugurated the China Famine Fund, supported it with their influence, ami advanced it by their strenuous exertions. Trusting that your Lordship will convey to them this acknowledgment of the Chinese Government, I beg, Sec. (Signed) Kuo Sung Tao." Lord Salisbury has thus replied :—": — " Foreign Office, October 2~>, 1878. — Sir. — I bave the honor to acknowledge Che of your letter of the 14th inst., conveying to me an expression of the grateful acknowledgments of the Chiuese Governments for the .assistance rendered by Englishmen in all parts of the world towards relieving distress in the districts of China recently stricken by famine, and I beg leave to acquaint you, in reply, that I shall have great pleasure in communicating such acknowledgments to the persons who were instrumental in establishing the fund for the relief of the suffering population in China."