New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-30
DESTITUTION IN RUSSIA.
A STATE OF FAMINE IN THIRTEEN GOVERN
rs MENTS.
THE DISTRESS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN FOR
CENTURIES RESPONSIBILITY OF THE Gov
ERNMENT-sTRAITs TO WHICH THE
STARVING PEASANTS ARE RE
DUcED TO GET FOOD.

DuCED TO GET fOOD'
London, Sept 29.-A dispatch from st. Peters
burg to "The Telegraph" describing the situation
In Russia arising from the failure of the crops,
and detailing narrowing incidents Of the famine
now prevailing, says that not for centuries has
such widespread distress been recorded. circular
has been issued by the Minister of the Interior.
which enumerates thirteen Governments in which
the people are completely famine stricken. and
eight in which partial famine prevails.
Tic trouble is chiefly due to the Government.
which, although we'll aware at the beginning of
the year that famine was imminent, delayed
taking any action TO relieve the distress until IL
was too late What benefit would have been de-
rived from the prohibition of the expectation OF
rye was nulhicd by the action of the Govern
ment in extending the time for the decree to
20 into effect In addition to the scarcity Of food,
which has caused untold suffering, the distress
has been intensified by the enormous number OF
disastrous fires that have occurred throughout
the famine-stricken region IN many OF the dls-
tricts entire villages have been destroyed. Added
10 these cruel strokes CT fortune came the cattle
plague. from which thousands of head of cattle
perjsbed. many families thus losing their only
means Of al, Strncr
What little food il is possible for the peasants to
obtain is Of the poorest description. In many
cases their only food is the sweepings and refuse
from the flour mills In Saratoff the landowners
found this refuse so injurious to their cattle that
they would not feed it 10 them. But the land
owners made bread of it and seld 1t to the peas
ants Bread made of finely chopped straw and
bran, mixed with a small quantity of rye, IS con-
sidered excellent In many districts the starving
peasantry are not able TO procure even these mis-
erabe substitutes for nourshing food, and are
reduced to the most dire straits TO procure any
thing that will prolong life. In these districts
the starving population are keeping themselves
alive by making and eating what they call hunger
bread" the ingredients of which are dried dung,
the powdered bark of trees and ground peas and
goose-foot, a plant more commonly known as pig
weed. Heavy rains have fallen and the ground is
DO soaked with water that the potatoes rotting
The price of potatoes has already doubled, and is
still rising.
The peasant boards have sent petitions to the
Ministry praying that the taxes and arrears of
taxes be wiped out The petitioners declare that
the Government will be obliged to maintain the
impoverished people for fourteen months, and
that IL will be utterly impossible for them TO pay
the taxes. The great fair which is annually held
At Mini Novgorod and which is attended by
merchants and dealers from all parts of Russia,
was failure this yeer. This was due to the
enormous number of bankrupts and their conse-
quent withdrawal from trade. In many villages
the peasants have nailed up their huts, and have
left their communes TO scOur the country in search
Of work. Hundreds of them have failed in their
search, and are begging along the roadsides In
numerous cases the seed which was FUR
nished the peasants by tie Government has been
eaten instead of being planted, and the land is
lying faNow
Notwithstanding the terrible condition of the
peasantry, the taxes continue to be eXtorted
from them. Where the peasants display any un-
Willingness 20 pay over their taxes, the collectors
resort 70 PHYSICAL means 10 collect the money
Prom them. The knout is extensively employed
Of Russia
Berlin, Sept go" The Cologne Gazette prints
letter In whch the following incident is given
relation to the famine in the province Of Sara
oH hnssa: MARSHAL. belonging TO the nobility,
euarrelisd with the president Of the Zcmstoo. who
poxed his ears. The marshal challenged the
PRESIDENT TO duel, and the challenge was ac-
oepted on condition that the marshal should ac-
count Tor the expenditure of 10000 roubles Of the
"a famine iund As resst the marshal was forced
- ieagn ana inquiries into further official rob
oeries are Impending.
Inc Post says @1he fact that the Rus
san spn papers are devoid of news about
sne famine Is a bad sign The intensity OF the
oIsless may be Judged from the fact that in many
PAGES tne elementary schools have been closed on
account OF lack of funds