New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-02
THE IRISH FAMINE.


STARVATION IN THIRTEEN COUNTIES.
A LETTER PROM JAMES REDPArH-wHr me Ro-
MAN CATHOLIC CLERGY REPORT FROM COVN-
TIES CAvAN, CLARE, CORK, DONEGAL, FIR
MANAGH. GALWAY, KERRY. LEIrRIN. LIMERICK
MONAGHAN, MAYO. ROsCoMMoN AND SLIGO
PICTURES OF TERRIBLE SUFFERING.
Mr. james Redpath, who is now in Ireland.
is investigating for The TRIBUNE the cOndi-
ton of the people in the famlne-stncken dis
trcts. In the following letter he describes
briefly the general extent and cause OF the
suffering. and introduces brief extracts from
numerous letters sent by parish priests to the
National Land League Relief Fund Committee
better known IN this country as Mr.. ParnelPs
Committee. These extracts draw simple but
vivid picture of the distress prevailing in the
afflicted districts.
A SURVEY OF THE FAMINE DISTRICTS.
rrRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE.l
DUBLIN, Feb. 1871 have spent four DAYS in inter
viewing the representative men and reading the
official correspondence of the National Land League
Relief Fund Committee. Tins League Is better
known at home as Mr.. PArnell's committee. shall
next interview the representatives of the Mansion
House Fund and the Duchess of Marlboroughs Fund.
and report what they have to say, and then travel
ghout The districts that by general agreement
are REGARDED as the most impoverished in this i'm
pOverished land.
According to the leading officers of the Land
Leagne, the order in which the hungry counties
should be caleG-giving precedence as they rank IN
present suferng-ls Kerry first. and then Mayo
Galway, Sligo. Donegal, Cork and Clare Distress
IS not confined to these counties, but especially
aflllcts them.
The immediate causes Of the famine were the
failure of the potato and corn crops IN the
West of Ireland. They were ruined by the heavv
rams OF last Spring and Summer. The counties
over winch Hunger now brOods are exclusively
agricultural districts. although along the coast the
Inhabitants added the uncertain pursuit OF fshinGto
the culture of the worn out and barren soil of the
mountainous regions of West Ireland. THIS year the
fisheries failed alsol Ii Is a moderate estimate that
puts the number OF persons now suffering from
hunger. or sure to suffer from ii within a few
weeks unless they find relief, at 100000 souls.
These persons must be supported for at least two
months OF else suffered TO die of famine and fever.
A telegram appears tonight ina Dublin paper IN
which it is stated that the American contributions
are expected TO fall otfnow, II has been announced
that fund large enough to prevent further suffer
ing IN Ireland has already been contributed. trust
no generous American will be Influenced by that re-
port for there is nothing more certain than that
Ireland viii need every dollar that America con-
tribute.
But cannot spare the space. to-day, to do more
than Introduce the Irish cloud Of witnesses
who speak of what their eyes
have seen and their own Pensioners
arc suffering. carried note of introduction TO
the Editor Of The Dublin Nation. This letter brought
mo into the company Of the leaders Of the Land
League. Their Secretary at once authorized me to
examine every letter in their Office and was III
vitod 10 attend both their public and business
meetings awaited myself OF tins courtesy, and
have read every letter without exception. that the
League has received this week From such
of them as give a view of the famine. have Sc
lected such passages as may enable you to see how
great the calamity Is under which Ireland is now
suffering. The writer's are mostly the Roman Cath
Ollie parish priests who brought by the nature
Of their Office into closer intimacy with the poorer
classes than any other men IN Ireland.
It is creditable TO the clergy of both religions
that with rare exceptions Catholics and Protestants
are working in harmony in discussing the relief
funds everywhere throughout Ireland.