The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-26

from the famine-stricken districts of Rus
sia does not in the least degree take from
the horrors of the condition that now con-
fronts thousands upon thousands of the
Cars subjects. What the outcome OF this
sad state of affairs Will be no one can pre-
dict. and il will be bold statisticisn W no
attempts to estimate the number of deaths
that will result from starvation and cold
during the present winter. The area af-
fected by the famine comprises q section of
the empire equallng IN size nearly half the
area of the United States. and q very low
estimate places the population of this part
OF the country at four million souls.
The government provided for the distribu-
tion of large quantities of seed grain in the
distressed provinces, bnt the distribution
of this grain has been greatly delayed
through various circumstances, not the
least of which Is the extreme difficulty of
transporting any thing. particularly at this
season of the year. TO some of the more dis
tant provinces. In many districts no win
ter sowing whatever has been done, and,
consequently, the Inhabitants have nothing
to look forward to, even should they be so
fortunate as TO manage to sustain life
through the winter The only hope that
they will be able TO exist through the cOm-
ing winter lies in the fact that the govern.
ment is taking the most energetic measures
TO help the sufferers. and it is believed that
under the direction of the new central
famine committee, of which the Czaro-
witch is president. the methods of relief
In some provinces the grain given by the
government has reached its destination,
but 1t has been so long delayed en- route
that Its arrival was too late to benefit
many of those for whom it was intended.
Enfeebled by their long abstinence from
nourishing food. hundreds of people could
not stand tho cold. which, at this season
OF the year Is very intense. and they per-
lshed miserably. In the province of KaZan,
which lies in the eastern part of European
Russia and where the chief CrOna ara
wheat and rye, l. per cent. of the cultiva-
BILE area has been left unsown. Similar
conditions prevail in Kletf, in VOronehz
and In Kherson, which usually produce i'm
mense crops of cereals.
The hunger-stricken peasants are daily
becoming more lawless, and acts of brig
andage are occurring more and more fire.
quently. A wealthy merchant was cap
tured by band of these peasants in viii
lage near the kOlga. 1t being their lnten-
tion. 1t is believed, to hold him for ransom
that they might thus obtain money to buy
food for themselves and their families. The
band was making away from the village
with their captive when an alarm was
given, and the villagers hastened to the
rescue of the prisoner. The brigands were
soon Overtaken by their pursuers, but they
would not release the merchant w hen called
upon to do SO. On the contrary, they drew
pistols and threatened to kill anyone who
attempted mis- rescue. The villagers. moth
ing daunted by these threats. made an at
tack upon the brigands, and finally, after o
pitched battle. released the merchant ana
compelled the brigands to seek safety in
flight. Two of the would-be kidnapers
were captured by the villagers.
The press of this city Is continually pub
fishing vehement denunciatiOns of mer-
chants who are holding grain for an ad-
vance, and clamor for the government to
compel them to sell their grain. OF that it
be confscated, as was done during the
Crimean war.