The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-23
Gov. Boies Appeals to the People
of Iowa for Aid.
THE KNoUT AZURE FOR HUNGER
Peasants Who Steal Food Perish
Under the Cruel Cars Lash,
Ofrcials Steal Relief Funds-Rich Mer-
chants Give Nothing-Twenty Million
Persons Starving-Bitter Cold in
Italy and England.

DEs MONIES, Ia, Dec. Ex-Governor
Boies today issued a proclamation calling
attention TO the famine in Russia, and
asking for contributions from the people.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 22.-There has
been an enormous falling off in the gov
ernment revenues from the famine-stricken
provinces. Reports of merciless repres-
SION OF outlawry are continually received.
Inc civil authorities do not depend on
themselves alone to put down lawless
acts, out upon the merest pretense sum-
mon the military evidently with the in
tention OF overaweing the people Three
men convicted on robbery at Simbeorsk
were condemned TO undergo punishment
with the knout. The poor wretches, who
mad probably stolen only to keep alive,
dled under the lash. A man convicted of
stealing few turnips was sentenced 10
penal servitude for life.
While army officers and many societies
have given up many Of their usual ban
quets, devoting the money usually so
spent to the relief Of the famine sufferers,
the Iatter's distress has not touched the
hearts of many of the richest merchants of
st. Petersburg. They refuse 10 subscribe
anything for the relief of their suffering
country.
An illustration of the apathy with
which the appeals have been received. is
the fact that collection boxes placed about
the corn exchange were found, when re-
moved, to be filled with bits of tin and
pieces OF paper. In numerous cases
dealers, after receiving exorbitant prices
for grain, sent it to the famine-stricken
provinces in bags, the contents of which
were mostly grass, sand and bran.
Corruption is widespread among
office-holders, and they are lit
tie affected by the sights of
distress, sickness and death visible on
every hand. Many town officials have re-
fused to enroll starving peasants upon the
rellef lists unless they first pay bribe at
the rate of ten copeks for every pound of
rye given. Petitions to the provincial as
semblies and the government asking that
the dramshops be closed and the sale of
vodka, an Internal drink, be forbidden
have availed nothing.
The czar has appointed Colonel Wend-
rich, of the postoffice department, with
absolute power to organize a railway tar
if, so as to effect the distribution of corn.
The czarowitch has just donated $4,000
roub.es TO the famine fund, while Grand
Dukes George, Alexander and Sergius each
contributed 10000 roubles. Money for re-
lief purposes is also flowing in freely from
other sources.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 22.-The charge
d'affaires of the Russian legation, reply
ing to a letter asking for information as
to the famine in Russia, and whether a
movement for help Is necessary, said that
in the population of twelve provinces over
20000,000 people are starving, and that
any assistance given will be much appre-
ciated.
ODESSA, Dec. PA party of Polish
peasants, who some time ago emigrated
to Brazil in the belief that their condition
would be greatly improved, have returned
in destitute condition. The found it i'm
possible to gain a livelihood in Brazil.