, 1874-05-09
OFFICIAL TELEGRAMS RESPECTING
THE FAMINE IN INDIA.

The kilograms respecting the famine ex-
changed between the Government of India and
the Secretary Of State in Council have lust been
printed and laid before Parliament. They ex-
tend in date from the 9th of last October to the
3lst March. Many of them have already been
made public, and the rest, for the most part, refer
10 details in q correspondence carried on almost
day by day. On the 18th of November Mr..
Gladstone suggested that rice should not be ex-
ciusiYely depended upon, but that Indian corn
should also be provided. The Viceroy, however,
replied on the Ilth that there was s. no necessity
to bay Indian corn" On the 23rd November the
Secretary of State again made the suggestion.
His telegram was thus worded :-''Contidential.
You seem to be in great uncertainty as to extent
of danger. This uncertainty affecting such a
population makes me very anxious that no precau-
ton should be neglected. Purchases of grain in
American markets would not Interfere with your
purchases i'll East, and would tend to lower prices.
| think we ought to send Indian corn. Very
large quantities could not be got at once, and the
voyage from New York would be ninety days.
But the importation might go on steadily to some
extent. Unless you can state any conclusive OBJ
lection l shall order as much as can be got to be
sent to Calcutta. Keep absolute secrecy, and do
not allow it to limit your own operations. Tele-
graph reply immediately In consequence,
however, of the explanations given by the Viceroy
the Home Governments announced its determination
on tho 29th of November not to take any separate
uctlOH VIII regard 10 SuppIleS OF corn ana uOurs
After the change of Government the Secretary of
State telegraphed on the Oath February TO the
Viceroy as follows 81 hasten to assure you
that the change of Government will in no way
diminish the earnest support you have already re-
ceiVed from this office in your efforts to avert the
c|alamities of famine. Continue at whatever cost,
70 make the fullest provision for importing grain,
and for storing it with the utmost expedition
within easy reach of every threatened village.
Let each relief centre have u current number
send list thereof by first post. Send weekly, in
addition to your usual weekly telegram, another
showing the number of relief stations in each
famine district, and in respect to each the store
of grain and grain in transit, the number of men
employed on relief works, their rate of pay ex-
pressed in money and in grain, and the number
receiving gratuitous relief. highly approve of
your resolution to impose labour as a condition of
relief only upon those who are ablebodied and
have been accustomed to labour.' Some of the
later kilograms show that the Secretary of State
was anxious as to the reserve of rice in the hands
of the Indian Government, and as late as the 10th
of March he says he is still uneasy about the
extent of the supply, and will explain his reasons
in a despatch. He had previously urged on the
10th that a very large margin should be provided,
and announced that he would take the response
bility of any waste arising from such margin, say
ing, in conclusion, " Secure what rice you can
up to 200, 600 tons 90 lacs.'