University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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FAMINES AND THEIR. PREVENTION 55 FAMINES AND THEIR PREVENTION Death by starvation is terribleg famine and pestilence among millions of humans is unspeakable. The word famine causes a shudderg it arouses an instinctive or racial dread. Few appeals to the human heart are more potent than the distress of starving men, women and children. Generous responses have anwered the calls of famine sufferers in China, both by the Chinese and by the sympathetic world at large. In the famine of 1920-1921 which affected six provinces of north China and a population of fifty million, fully thirty seven million dollars were donated for the relief of starving people. Approximately eighteen million dollars C9 million Gold? were contributed by foreigners, either through Govern- ment representatives, the Red Cross or Missionary organizations. The stage was set for as great or a worse famine than that of 1878-1879 in the same general region when between nine and thirteen million people are estimated to have perished. But with the aid of existing means of communication and a knowledge of the approaching famine condition in sufficient time to call on the outside world for relief, such a disaster was mitigated. These catastrophies are appalling, but are all the more lament- able when avoidable. Those who have been most closely connected with the large projects of famine are agreed upon the possible pre- vention of the recurrence of general and devastating famines. The hurried relief of people already in the first stages of starvation, per- mits, if at all, only the most elementary constructive relief. Such relief does not go far toward the prevention of another equally serious famine. A ' Measures, therefore, looking to the permanent prevention of famines are necessary, are obligatoryg are huminatariang are Christ- ian. It is the only Solution to the problem of the heavy loss of life and the enormous wastage of intellectual, economic and spiritual values. The prevention of these losses and wastage furthermore contributes to national and world economy and makes possible pro- gress in the power and experience of millions of people. It is difficult to appraise the multiplying benefits that must flow from the permanent prevention of famine in China. The program of permanent famine prevention in China was set in motion by far sighted men to work out ways and means of putting a stop to these hideous phenomena. Two agencies have undertaken such a program in cooperation, namely. The International Famine Relief Commission and the University of Nankingn Famines have occurred intermittently in China since very ancient time. As early as 1700 B. C, it is recordetl that Emperor Tan prayed for the relief of his people from famine. The list at the end of this article is a striking chronology of disaster recorded of the single county in Anwhei province. 1. The Peking University is also planning to cooperate in the program.

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54 THE LINGUIST A part of the royal way to the Ming Tombs, which lies at the foot of the mountain CPurple Mountain in the grove seen at the foot of the mountain to the right of center. ' SAYINGS FROM THE ANALECTS. The filial son avoids causing anxiety ' The higher type of man is not a machineg he first practices what he preaches and afterwards preaches what he practices. Learning without thought is uselessg thought without learning is dangerous. Hear muchg reserve what causes you doubt and speak guardedly of the restg You will then suffer little criticism. To see the right and not to do it is cowardice. It is the moral character of a neighborhood that constitutes its excellence, and how can he be considered wise who does not elect to dwell in moral surroundings? Only the virtuous are competent to love or hate men. The student who aims at wisdom and yet who is ashamed of shabby clothes and poor food is not worthy to be discoursed with. . The wise man in his attitude towards the world has neither predilections nor prejudices He is on the side of what is right. The man of honor thinks of his characterg the inferior man of his position. The man of honor desires justice, the inferior man favour. One should not be concerned at lack of position, but should be concerned about what shall lit him to occupy it. One should not be concerned at being unknown, he should seek to be worthy of being known. V Virtue never dwells alone it always has neighbors. A man who is without good faith. I do not know how he is to get on. A wagon without its yoke-bar, or a carriage without 'its collar-bar for the horses. how can it be made to go! From the Confucian Analects.

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56 THE LINGUIST .Transportption in the interior. The wheelbarrow is the truck of the rural sections of Qhma, and transports more tonnage than any other agency. unless it be the carrying pole. I A Chinese saw mill: Practically all the lumber used in the interior of Chlll21.lS sawed in this manner. , Without.uniform.1x1dus.trl,alHprogress a modern sawmill would create the unemployment problem in China, -