New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-05
TIE FAMINE IN IRELAND.
HAM A canaan FuND is SPENDING.


dent sent to Ireland by THE TRIBUNE, writes
that Lord Randolph Churchill, the manager
of the Castle Relief Fund, estimates the mum
Der of the furnishing In Ireland at 100000.
He believes that the famine is now well under
control, although the funds in hand and
sure TO come In, in the future, will not
prevent all suffering. Lord Churchill spent
three hours in giving the correspondent OF
THE TRIBUNE detailed information about the
extent, severity and cause Of the famine.
THREE HOURS AT DUBLIN CASTLE.
THE STATEMENTS OF LORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OF The DIsTRRss-THE loss or THE POTATO
CRoP-REPORTs FROM THE COUNTIES.
lFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THF TnTBuNEI
DUBLIN, Feb 2O-I called atDublln Castle to-day
and had an interview for nearly three hours with Lord
Randolph Churchill who is the son of the Duchess
Of Marlborough, and next to his mother the most
responsible manager Of the Castle Relief Fund. lie
is a Young man, slightly built, Of fair complexion
very courteous and obliging, and good conversI-
tlonalst. asked permission 10 make notes Of MS
answers to my mnumerable questions, and as ne was
ouie wiling that should do 80, can report all the
essential parts of the interview in his own words
TUE DUCHESS or MARLBOROUGH FUND.
Lord Churchill said that up to the present time
$4,000 had been contributed TO the Duchess oi
MARLBOROUGH Fnnd, and G24.O0O had been dis
bursed for the relief OF the destitute III the west Oh
Ireland The method Of disbursement adopted oY
the Duchess of Marlborough differed and be thought
for the better from the method OF the Mansion
House Fund Committee, inasmuch as hity-SM cen
tral committees have been appointed, one for each
Poor Law Union, who divided the donations aliot-
ted 70 them among subcommittee in each Union
according 10 their local needs. The Mansion House
corresponded directly with some 600 committees.
Ii seemed impossible for any body of men IN Dubhn
TO know the local needs of 80 many communities
and this method therefore, made 1t more liable TO
imposition and must lead to loss equal ana 'qul-
fable distribution of the relief fund The Duchess
had inst amounted in each Poor Law Union in the
distressed counties. or in those sections OF counties
where distress prevailed--for there is in Ireland
a good deal of sporadic distress. that Is there are
certain parts Of certain counties where there Is
much suffering, whereas. IN the same county, only
q few miles away, there Is no special destiiution-
q chairman OF Union Committee and authorized
him 20 select rs his associates representatives, both
clerical and lay. of the Roman Catholic and Prot
cstant population. Tie chairman thus appointed
was generally the chairman of the Poor Law Board
ofGnardian4, gentleman Of standing and inhu-
erce IN the community. of which fact the holding
of that position was a guarantee. and from having
held that position he was familiar with the
needs of the people. and could distinguish who
were and who wc43 not entitled to cid from the
Relief Flud.
orImay as well state now" continued Lord
Churchill, that We have not desired TO give relief
from the Duchess of Marlborough fund 30 persons
WHO would be relieved 10y the poor rates under
Ordinary circumstances We have wished TO extend
a tclDfng hand PRINCIPALLY TO small farmcls-per-
sons holding small quantities OF land-who were
excluded from obtaining outdoor riioi by The
operation Of the quartcI-scction clause; and whom
the uufavorable weather and defective harycst7
had very severely tried. and 20 artisans and skilled
laborers dwelling IN small country towns. who have
a!vavs supported themselves and their families.
We did not intend, in brief, 10 support the pauper
class. but to seek toprcvont The sclt-supp5rting
classes from sinking iutoit'
These central committees appointed sub-com-
mitoes III different parts of Inc Internationally cor
responding to what are called Dispensary districts.
"The Dublin Committee donate to the Central
Union committees, and hold them respousibleI the
Union committees divide thor ALLEGATIONS among
the sub-committees and hold them responsible. In
addition 20 these precautions against an iuindicous
or iDproper distribution Of funds we have three or
four travelling inspectors who visit all the unions
and sub-dspensarY districts. examine their books,
and make reports on the existing distress. We
have in all ffty-siX central committees and about
200 subcommittee"
An ESTIMATE OF THE EXI-IEG DISTRESS.
GLOW many persons DO you believe are desti-
tutc7' / asked.
1--WE cannot tell accurately" said Lord Churchill,
q" but probably about quarter Of d million would
be moderate estimate"
"Do you believe there IS any danger Of general
staryatlonp
"No.D replied Lord Churchill. 81 think we have
noyy cot the famine well in hand and that the fund
already contributed for the relief Of Tho dstressin
the hands Of our committee aud the Mansion House
with the amounts that we think are sure 10 come
in regularly, will prevent any actual starvation.
although it will not prevent a considerable amount
of suffering. But about the middle Of next month
tho planting season begins. and that will furnish
employment to many who are now destitute
and early in May the migration of labor
ers to England will begin. As soon as they
earn wages they viii send money to their families
but Il is true that we may have TO support their
for weeks, as these men will have no
money to leave with them. However, from the
funds accrued and certain to come from England
and elsewhere and with the aid that will be given
by the Government, do not doubt t1at we shall be
able to prevent any actual starvation. should add
that there is danger from epidemics; we can only
provide against that by giving food and clothing,
and that we are doing now. We are also seeking
to prevent a renewal of famine next year by sup
plying seeds. The people have eaten their seed po-
tatocs IN many districts. and although tins is not
calamity In one sense, yet it would prove ruinous II
we could not furnish a new supply. 1t would con-
time the famine into next year.
THE POTATO CROP.
"What was the extent Of the loss of the potato
crop?
There was loss Of two-thirds of the crop. For
ten years the average yield Of potatoes has been
8. O37 645 tons. The crop Of 1879 was only
I II q GOT tons-nporly tWo-thrds less than the