Yours obediently,
BARON T. OSAWA,
_Vice-President, Red Cross Society of Japan_.
* * * * *
MEIJI 39th year, 4th month ....day.
_The American Red Cross Society_,
Your Society having felt pity at the distressed condition
of the people occasioned by the famine last year in this
district, has expressed deep sympathy and collected extensive
contributions for the purpose of affording relief, to be
distributed through the proper authorities.
We immediately bought rice with the money and distributed it
among the poor people of this village, fully explaining the
philanthropic spirit in which you sent it. The people, who were
in extreme poverty and could not follow their occupations, were
deeply impressed by your kindness, and felt ashamed at their
lazy habit, swearing that they would rise and exert themselves
in future. They received the gift with tears of gratitude and
bowed heads.
I hereby have the honor to express the sentiments of gratitude
on behalf of the people of this village.
It is desired that your Society will kindly communicate the
foregoing to the President.
Village of Niita, Adachi county, Fukushima district, Japan.
(Seal) SHOZO YENDO,
_Village Magistrate_.