The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-09
The Reported Distress the Chronic Con-
dition of the People-Contempt for
American Food Contributions.
Precautions at Halifax to Avert the
Threatened Danger.
Latest About the Preparations for the Czar's
Coronation Close of a Newspapers Long
Struggle-Other Cable News.
IRELAND's CONDITION.
Some Interesting Reports from American
Consuls on the Subject.

COnsuls on the Subject.
WASHINGTON, May S-Asa result of the in
quiries made at the State Department, to-
day, it has been learned that the subject of
Governor Buffers recent letter to Secretary
Folger, namely, pauper immigration from
Ireland, has for some months been under
consideration in that department A number
of reports relating thereto have been received,
and among the most interesting is one from
Consul-general Merritt, of London, giving
the results of an investigation made at his
request, in March last by the United States
consuls in Ireland. The consuls generally
agree that the distress prevailing at present
is not exceptional in its character, and
that published accounts to the contrary
are exaggerated in the poorer agricultural
districts. The situation of the peasantry is
miserable, and abject poverty is the rule;
but sad as it is, it has been the same for
years, and has become the normal condition
of life. 1t may be safely assumed that the
much-talked-of starvation point has not
been reached, however bad the situation
may be, and that the local and government
authorities have abundant means at hand to
relieve actual necessity The prospects of
amelioration of the present condition in the
immediate future are most discouraging. 1t
is altogether unlikely that the government
will shortly commence public works in order
to give employment to the people, as the
policy settled upon is relief either by work
house or by emigration.
With great unanimity the consuls agree
that the present condition must act as a
powerful stimulus to emigration, and many
interesting facts are given in their reports to
illustratate this branch of their investigation.
AS to the question whether the government,
the guardians of the poor, or associations are
engaged in sending paupers to the United
States, some diversity of opinion exists
which may be accounted for by the differ
ence of localities from which the consuls
write.
Consul Barrows, of Dublin, says no such
practice is in operation in his district.
Consul Wood, of Belfast writes: II know
of no organized effort for any large deporta-
ton of sufferers or paupers to the United
States. No doubt many will flnd their way
there by the aid of friends, and often, in a
measure, by charitable funds. 1t is to be
feared most of such emigrants are without
MEANS and what is worse, without skill in
trades or other occupations, and with so lit
tie money as to afford no promise of any re-
spectacle support on their arrival in
America"
Consul Livermore, of Londonderry. under
stands that government agents, with no
great success, however, endeavor to induce
the poor and lazy to emigrate.
In some localities the guardians of the
poor are desirous to emigrate those who are
likely to be in state of chronic poverty at
home OF
support.
General Merritt refers to the subject of
American aid to Ireland as follows: "As to
relieving Irish distress by contributions of
money from the United States, which have
always been so liberal, the charges have been
so frequent in the past that much of this
money has been used for other purposes, |
suggest that in future the utmost care be
taken in choosing the channels through
which charity is to be administered
NOT so MUCH DISTRESS AS REPORTED.
Upon the question of reported distress in
western and southern Ireland, John j. Piatt
United States consul at Cork, writes as fol-
lows II met, several days ago, prominent
gentleman of this place, very intelligent as
we'll as genial and kind-hearted man, whose
opportunities of knowing western and
southern Ireland for some years past should
have been the best, and in the course of
brief conversation 1 hazarded the remark
that there was a great deal of distress in the
coast region of Ireland. Not bit of it:
don't you believe it, was his quiet but en-
phatic answer and then he told me of his
experience in attending the distribution of
certain supplies to the distressed districts in
1880. AT points where want was reported
greatest the officers could not, unless at ex-
travagant prices he said, employ help even
to unload the cargoes of sup
plies, and in some cases. therefore,
the naval crews had to perform the work
The officers would meet, he told me- with
expressions of contempt at the idea of send
ing people such stuff as Indian cornmeal,
which | have learned is considered food fit
only for pigs. Again. has it ever been told
that the mission Of the Constitution to these
shores three years ago. was an enterprise of
doubtful success as a charity; that American
potatoes went begging, so to speak, for some-
body to eat them, and were not thought
so good as Irish potatoes (nothing American,
| am afraid, is thought so good here, as that
which is Irish(, and that some of them were
returned to Queenstown and exported to the
United States. Such has been the story cur
rent here, and reported to me by the high
authority just quoted. The visit of the Con-
stitution was, however, boom in some re-
spects, if it did not relieve the poor, starving
Irish There were costly dinners and
balls up and down the coun-
try. The gentlemen quoted above seemed
to think the people of the United States, in
view of the terrible Ohio valley floods should
not be called upon to minister to fictitious
distress in Ireland. I have written the fore
going paragraph to suggest doubt of the
picture Of Irish distress being as bad as it is
painted in certain quarters; but feel conf
dent there is enOuph dire nOvertv and mood