Evening journal., 1891-01-05

Chronic Poverty Prevails In the West OF
Ireland ON Account Of the Potato Crops
Failure and Intelligent, Discrini mating
Assistance Is Urgently Needed.
LONDON, Jan. 5.-The Earl Of Zetland.
viceroy Of Ireland, and Mr.. Balfour, the
chief secretary. have signed declaration
as 70 the condition OF poverty prevailing
IN the west OF Ireland. They describe this
condition MS chronic in some districts, and
state thnt II no aid reaches the people the
situation will develop into acute distress
during the winter and spring. The
declaration lays some stress upon the fact
that there is no resident gentry or sub
stantial middle class in the sections re-
ferred to, through whom employment can
naturally be afforded. There are also no
charitable organizations to minister to ihe
wants Of those unable to help themselves.
The question is not whether money or
other aid should be given, but how it
should be given; TO what class and FOR
what special purposes.
1t SHOULD Ise Done JudicIousiy.
The signers further dwell upon the i'm
portance Of careful consideration as 20 The
character Of the distributivo agencies in
order that the relief may be properly
given, and not indscriminately. To he-
stow help recklessly may infest whole
townships with the vices and weaknesses
Of professional mendicancy. In regard to
the failure OF the potato crop. the decnra-
tton states that the small occupiers IN the
west Of Ireland seem at first sight to all
ha LII
lodged in the same class OF cabins.
Not Criterion.
They cultivate the same kind of hold
ings, and 10 on. 1t would be natural TO
conclude that in all places where the po-
tato crop II a failure the same degree OF
distress would be found But this is not
the fact. In no district does the bulk of
the community live wholly upon the po-
tato crop Various industries, such ~
fishing kelpmaking, sales OF farmstock.
etc, exist The degree Of failure Of the
potato crop is therefore misleading stant-
ard Of the degree Of distress prevailing ia
any district. la organizing plan of re-
lief, caution IS necessary IN order not 10
Interfere with the system OF relief through
/ constFurtion Of light railways aud other
existing measures Of assistance
What shouid he Done.
The conclusions reached by the signe~s
are that charity ought to he giyen to fau.-
ilies who have no able bodied member
among them, and toward providing meats
at school Tor children attending school.
and that clothing should be furnished for
children. These forms of relief are less
liable 70 abuse than others. 1t Is also
recommended that there be single dis
tributing authority, which ought TO be 81
such character as 20 command all avail
able means OF information a. to the con
dition OF tn e people throughout the couI,-
try. The siguers will undertake the dis
trihution Of any contributions cOnlided To
them IN the shape Of money, food or cloth
ing. Such contributions may be sent
to the Countess OF Zetland, TO Miss Bal
four, to the viceroy or 20 Mr.. Balfour.
A skillfuliy Constructed Appeal
The appeal is very skillfully constructed
in order TO. hedge upon the main questions
OF the causes aud extent OF the distress in
the famine threatened section. Stripped
Of It's yerbiage, it admits the existence of
dire distress, with which the government
y unable TO cope without public assist
anee.