, 1874-02-09
THE IMPENDING FAMINE IN INDIA.


the grcat staple Of agriculture, is largely depend
ont upon tho periodical rains aud, when thoHo |
fail, not merely period Of scarcity follows, but
q swift md torriblo doclmation Of tho popula- |
tion. In tho famine Of 1869 three millions Of
persona porlshcd. II 1865 tho increased facifi-
tics Of transportation, and favorable turn in
the weather. prevented the extensive spread Of
tho famine although, boing following by sea-
son Of cholera, tho suffering WIS very great.
Tho English press is now discussing tho pros-
pects OF famine In tile prosont year, owing to a
failuro Of tho latter rains Of 1873, aud the
fato Of Dongal is stated to turn upon tho
weather Of. tho first three months Of 1874. II
these provo favorable, tho result may bo
mitigatod into aavero scarcity Of food; il unfa-
vorable, tho worst danger may bo apprehondcd.
Tho dtficultios in dealing with the question arc
sufficiently complox to oausa much difference OF
opinion as to how tho work Of rolief is to be ao-
complishod. Tho simple matter Of neodfut ap-
propriatious Of money ia tho least OF these, and
tho accumulation Of the supply OF rice but IN u.s.
surod certainty in comparison With the work Of
distributing 1t. At tho present time, singular
anomaly Is presented by tho TACT that tho Coy
ornment Of India iB importing rico Into India,
while the mercantile world iaa rapidly exporting
1t. Il would aeom TINT the demand, and an In
creased valuo in the article, would have ten
doncy to check expectation, but this is explained
BY the fact that, whereas the increased price OF
fow farthings por pound in England has little
effect upon the consumption, tho Same difference
In India exorts marked e1foot III simply placing
it beyond tic reach Of tho consumer.
Dr. Hunter, 3 valuable authority. aays that in
Bengal two farthings make the whole difEo-enoe
between q famine-warning aud actual dos
titution, aud threo-and-a-half farthings per
pound the whole diHorenco between time
of plenty and time OF famine. The Bengal
laborer earns cents por day, and upon this
aum au average number Of throe persons havo
to be supported. Usually. four pounds Of rice
may bo bought for cents In famine yoars tho
price rises to 9, and evon 10 conts ut the pinch,
which Ia cent over tho total earnings OF ono
fourth of tho families Ia Bengal. The result
may readily be appreciated. A resort is had to
roota and various sorts Of groom food. Tho
children aud weaker persons die, and, as DR..
nupter grlmly expresses It, " the rural popula-
ton enters famine asafrigate goes into battle,
olcarod of all useless gear and Inefficient mem-
hers.'
| To saye this useless gear" and to mitigate
this suffering is tho problem to be solved. The
/ 1n1,.
agrioultural) upon public works ia ono means.
and this has already taken place in scme dis
triots. Tho question Of the prohibition Of tho
! export Of rice Ia looked upon rs q last resort.
To do too much, In tho way Of tho purchase and
distribution Of supplies, draws from the ryot'a
| (tho agricultural laborer's) pocket more in the
shape of taxes than it puts into his stomach In
tho ahnpeot relief. 70 do too little, in tho hope
TINT the worst may not como to tho worst, is to
do}ny 60 long that tho yery carriage Of supplies
at tho last moment meana Q corsuin sacrllce Of
human lilo Gro tho auigororB can bo roaohod.
Not tho least Of tho troubles Of tho Govern
ment Ia found in tho possible complication with
tho natiyo dealers In foods, and In 40 regulating
~
Interfere with them. Bimpo distribation
from the authorities In every village would be
impossible; reliance must bo bud to great
extent upon tho dealers. Ignorant, suspicious
and awed by sonso OF the omntpotenoo Of ths
ruling authorities. they aro liab!e to bc fright
euel away by tho impression that tho Gov
ornmont Intends to enter into competitio.
with them, or to place an ombargs
upou thoir transactions. Tho Government
is unable to mature aud proclaim
plum OF relet for fear OF tue effect upon thos
dealers. Tho pross tho merchants, and th
people Of England entertaining various opin
ions, are dcalrous Of knowing what is to b
done; but tic authoritivs, beyond asserting thu
needful measures aro being undertaken sa,
nothing. 10, shllo Engliahmon are accustomed
to aeo tho work Of 9oyornplont, In critical tlnea
doue In open day, they are reattve under tn
/ forced zottoenoe Of tho 1nuinn Vloasoy and th