New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-04
ILL LAnLAN.F1.uLNE.

Time to he portentous. There isa steady in
crease, especially in Madras, OF the number
applying for relief. Within a fortnight this
has amounted to no fewer than 3o3,OOo.
About 1.3OO, 900 persons are employed on the
relief w0rks-abOut as many more are the Cd
iects of entirely gratuitOus charity. short
time ago the number actually dependent upon
aims for daily food was stated III the House OF
Commons at 100000 TO these melancholy
details it must be added that the Autumnal
crops are hopeless in Southern India, very du-
bious in Western, Central and Northern India
and onlv tolcrably good IN Eastern India. Inc
fall of rain in Madras is spoken OF as mod
"craten or "Hghtn In Mysore there have been
only good showers" In Bombay there has
been "good rain" in the Southern Collector
ates, but over the rest Of the famine area OILY
"a partial and uncertain fall. In other dis
tricts there is anxiety, and Grain IS still much
wanted" The general prospect is declared
TO be discouraging; only an unprecedented
rain can make MP the deficiency Of the
last four months The prices of grain continue
to be extremely high in the famine districts
tie pressure in the Southern Presidency beng
terrible, and gram selling there at rates double
those which ruled in Bengal three years ago.
Trade, however in Southern India continues
active, and the stocks OF gram are considered
sufficient for immediate demands.
With the famine has naturally come cpl
dcmc disease. The mortality from all sources
is moderately computed at 100000. Cholera
and smallpox especially prevail in Madras and
Mysore. The want of rains has lowered the
wells the quantity and purity of the water
nave been diminished and this cause alone
would aggrayate cholera. In consequence OF
these causes. there can be no isolation of the
eases of smallpox, aud its rayageS are proper
tionately multiplied. There is every reason
for believing that the virulence of both dis
eases will increase.
1t is gratifying to find that there is no lack
Of sympathy. either in England or India, with
this ext aordiuary distress, Tie condition OF
the people of India is everywhere spoken OF
pitifniy. They are described as industrious
and patient, obedent to the law, grateful aud
loyal. But the enormous proportions OF the
trouble make it very difficult one to deal
with, however excellent the intentions OF the
authorities. When the task is to SuccOr fam
Ine-stricken population Of from 15,OOO,OOO TO
10000. coo, there Will be differing theories,
and variety of opinions respecting the best
method of proceeding, and this, too, while the
imminent and pressing emergency hardly leaves
time for debate or for deliberate decision. lt
is much easier to consider the means of
averting future famines than to deter
mine upon some promising method Of
confronting present sarvaton and The
London Times asks the awkward question
whether "therc is to be less prudence and less
" skill in administration in British India at
d" the present day than there was in the Egypt
"of the PharaOhs few thousand years agOW
A discovery has been made which dissipates
the old dreams of Oriental Opulence-" India
"is not wealthy in proportion to the popula
"ton she has to maintain" Another discOv-
cry is that of her entirely inadequate means
of transportation. What she most sOrely needs
at present, and will always need in the emer-
gency of famine. is facilities of cOmmunica
ton. This, however, is a matter for the future.
Now, everything must depend upon the wise
activity of the principal executives. and there
is general feeling that interference by the
Home Government would do more harm than
good.