Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-08-15
FAMINE IN MOROCCO.
Fearful Suffering of the Inhabitants
--PeStilent Diseases Adding to the
Horrors of Starvation.
New York Herald, 9Th.

--PeStilent Diseases Adding to the
Horrors of Starvation.
New York Herald, 5th.
Letters from Morocco give most dis
tressing accounts Of the misery of the
unfortunate inhabitants. A CORES
pondent at Saffi writes: "The country
is in deplorable condition, and one
cannot walk in any public place or
highway without being shocked ut the
misery and squalor that seems univer-
sal. | can imagine no more harrow
ing sight than the hundreds of living
skeletons encountered every day. |
arrived here from Mogador about three
weeks ago, and find the distress at Saffi
quite equafto that which [ have wit
messed IN the larger towns, although in
MOgadOr it seems more extensive, the
pauper population there is so much
greater. The country people are flying
from their hOmesteads as if from pest
and help to augment the misery in the
towns. The most heart-rending ac-
counts of the extent and severity of the
famine are brought by them. Already
smallpox and measles are very preva-
lent. People infected with smallpox
walk the streets openly, and cases of
severe fever, talntlng and delirium are
OF every day occurrence. There is
great anxiety IN regard to what the
wretched tribes may do in their desper-
alton, which is intensified by rumor
that the sultan is dead An event like
this is usually the signal for an insur-
rectiOn, the rising of the Arabs and out
breaks among the hill tribes. Private
charity Is doing great deal, and the
richer Jews are notstinting their benev-
olence." The British minister and con-
sui arc organizing system for the col
lection and distribution Of relief funds,
but the MOhammedan authorities are
doing nothing.
The appeal of the relief committee
states that it is estimated that no less
than 100000 people are affected by the
famine, which is likely to continue for
another year, April, 1879, being the ear
lieSt period when the new crops can
possibly be available.
Captain Forward, having arrived in
England from the Morocco coast,
writes: "The famine ON the coast is ter
rible, The natives of Mogador are dying
in the streets for want of food. Small
pox is spreading all over town."
A letter from the British legation,
dated June Is, says: Numbers of poor
Mohammedans are already dying of
starvation, and as autumn and winter
approach, the distress will be appalling"
The relief committee states that it is
computed that 100 weight of rice,
costing i to Il shillings, will keep alive
80 people for twenty-four hours; thus
bringing it within the reach of the
smallest donation to afford appreciable
help. Aid is afforded irrespective of
race or creed. Another letter, q
sample Of hundreds that might
be given, will suffice to show the melan-
chOly state of affairs. 1t is from Mr.
PaytOn, a resident at Mogodar: "Hun-
dreds of starving men, women and chill
dren," he says, ''are focking into Mo-
gador, many dying of hunger and sick
ness on their way. Living skeletons
and sickly, emaciated forms are seen i'll
the streets. The famine will grow
worse from month to month, and dis
ease, its natural consequence, is already
rife among the poor inhabitants" +"
| The American Consul at Iangier in
last Saturdays Herald says: "The suf-
fering is indescribable. 1t seems to be
an extension of the great famine in In
dia. The cattle are dying by thousands.
Cows are driven into the city and sold
for dollar. Want Of rains is the cause
of the distress and famine Relief So
cieties are being formed in Gibraltar
and other adjacent cities. The Jews
are said to be acting nobly."
1t is hoped that America will second
the efforts made in England, France
and Spain, besides those in the afflicted
country itself The simple thought
that dollar will keep alive fifty people
for one day will surely innuce many a
man and woman, out of pity for the
starving mothers and dying children, to
send SO trifing a subscription. But we
are assured that any sum, no matter
how large or how small, will be CRATE
fully received by the above newly
formed committee, with the certainty
that it will be faithfully and judiciously
disposed of. Rev. DIR. Huebsch yester-
day received 81 from some one vino
signed himself "A Sabbath Breaker.
If all of that class should do likewise
there would soon be magnificent fund
raised here for the benefit of the suffer
ing and dying in Morocco.