The New York herald., 1873-12-22
INDIA.

The Prospect of Famine In the Districts
Of Bengal and Behar-Exccutfve Pre-
caution Against the COnsequenecs--
What Il Being Done by the viceroy-
How Ircland's Suffering May Not Bo
Repeated I'm Asia-rhe supply OF Rice
and What 1T Takes to Feed District
Population.
CALCUTTA, NOV. IA, 1873.
send herewith copy Of the resolution pub
lshed by the viceroy and Governor General OF
India relative to the failure Of crops in this c0un-
try, and the impending famine which threatens AZ
large district in consequence thereof from which,
it Will be observed there exists reasons for the
gravest apprehensions regarding the terribie(
amount Of human suffering and actual gtarvaton
likely to follow. The pressure OF this suf1eringt
seems likely to be very much Iessened. ana the sell
verify of it mitigated BY the effective measurea
thus promptly adopted by the viceroy and hts asso
ciates In authority.
THE SECTIONS OF COUNTRY
most seriously affected lie in the districts OF Benga
and Behar, as indicated the map. This division3
OF country contains q population nearly or quito
vast majority OF whom OF the poorest classes1
who, IN many places, are already sunerfng1 4
xSich Is the prncpai yi NJ article Of
prices rule. Yet those who have money will bel
able for long time to obtain an ample store.
The districts OF Madras, on the south, and Britf (
ish Burmah, on the east-bOth large rice product
ing districts-have bountiful crops, with surpuse
for export, which Is already being secured by thei
government, who intend to use Is to pay labOrerS1
on the many public works (which are TO be ener-}
getically prosecuted as relief measure) In lieu of
money. /.
This win have tendency 10 prevent much 4
OF the greedy speculation which would 0thcrwiscl
be INDUCED In by native dealers.
TRADE SPECULATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
To the west and northwest OF the famine diStTiCt7
there is, as near as can be ascertalned, suncien
crop for home consumption, but none for export.l
and yet this section OF country, or the portions 0q
it bordering Immediately upon the famine dtstrict{
must be severely affected for the ruling prices are!
high that large quaint OF rice will go TO thc
section In most want, which will occasion scarcity
which, together with the high prices will pinch bud
little less severely the poorer Classes whose WageSt
are but mere tribe, than an actual famine.
WHAT 1T TAKES TO FEED THE PEOPLE.
dition OF things; and when 1t Is taken into cons
sderaton that within the district s0rely threats
ened not less than 20.0 tons OF rice require
daily, well may 1t be inquired from whence Is tor
come the supply for this people for Six months ton
come, or say 900 tons OF rice or other brcai-
stuf1s TO take Its place.
should say however, that although rice is the,
only crop OF portion OF the famine district, Other
portions usually produce during the cold season.
many OF the grains OF the temperate zone. These
should be In the ground now, but II we have ram
in sufficient quantities during the next two weeks
too dry hard to admit Of any preparation WHAT
ever. Unless rain Is given this coop will be an en-
tire failure, and the next hope OF rchef lies in fhs
spring crop OF rice for 1874 to the prospects on
which no calculation can, OF course, be made at
The above outline viii enable you TO lay befora
your readers facts relative to the great famine now
threatenln India.