The morning call., 1891-12-28
TO STOP STARVATION.
Formation of Russian Ladies'
Relief Society.
LEGAL Charitable Women Moved by the Noble
Work of the Tolstoi Family and the
Countess Pathetic Appeals.

Under the impression of the Countess
Sophia Tolstofs letter and other blood-chill-
ing news from Russia the Russian ladies of
this city and its surroundings held last Sat
urday a general meeting. About twenty
five persons were present The result was
the organization of Russian Ladies' Fam
inc Relief Society, intended to set working
the whole of the Russian colony here for the
benefit Of the sufferers. The officers elected
were: President, Mrs. Lugebil of 2O13 Pine
street; Vice-President, Mrs. NJ. Elliot of
1890 Broadway, Alameda; Treasurer, Mrs.
tary. Mrs. S. Russell, Md, of 116 Phelan
Building.
Several committees have been appointed.
among them one for the purpose of the
organization of Russian family evenings
weekly-something entirely novel to the
society of San Francisco.
Appended Is copy of the letter sent to
the editor of the Russian Gazette by the
Countess Tolstoi:
Sir: The help In money and otherwise given
up I'LL now for the relief OF the starving people
has been SO great that hardly dare to toucn upon
the question. But the distress also Is proving
far greater than any one had expected, and al
ways more and more has to be asked and given.
My whole family has broken up 10 go ana help
III various parts Oh Tue country. My husband,
Count Lyon T0lstol, Is Ut resent with our Two
daughters In the Dankoo District trying to
arrange the largest possible number or free soup
Kitchens. OF as The peasants have named them,
care for orphans" h!y two elder sons who
serve In the he'd Cross actively helping IN the
Chernsky District, and my younger son has gone
there is far as his means allow
Bul IN such great need as this individual per
sons can do nothing; and yet every day that we
spend IN warm house. every mouthtul mat we
eat, seems 10 ieproach us with the thought that
at this very moment some one Is dying OF hunger.
All OF Us who live here III Moscow III luxury and
cannot bear 10 see The slightest pain suffered by
our own children, how should we endure the
sight Ut the desperate or Stupihed mothers look-
ing on While their Children die OF hunger ana
cold?
l quote from letter that my daughter has
written TO me from the Dankoy district, referring
10 the Soup-kltGheuS which lie local land
owners have opened: II have been III TWO of
them. In one which has been opened IN tiny
chicken-house a widow cooks dinner for
twenty-five persons. When l entered a lot Of
children were sitting at lie table, each with a
piece OF Bred. ana eating soup. Several old
women were standing aud waiting their turn.
talked with one of them. The poor things are
kept alive simply by these free dinners; they
have absolutely nothing at home, SO they have
no breakfast They receive TWO meals day at
the Kitchen and Tie cost OF this, fuel Included,
is tlom 80 kopecks TO l rouble, 80 kOpec 5
from 90 cents 10 40 cents month for each
person."
Thus Is iOubes will save from starvation till
next harvest one person. But there are so many
mat enormous sums are needed Let US,
though, at least, try what can be done.
If each Of us saves, according to bis or her
power, one, two. len or even a hundred lives
cur cousclences Will be lighter. Surely God Will
spare us another such year In our lifeline.
venture 10 appeal 10 all those who are will
ing and able To help for material aid IN the work
that my family have undertaken. All donations
viii be employed directly 10 feed children and
aged persona III the sOup-kitchenS opened by my
husband aud children.
Donations may be forwarded as follows:
Count Lyon rolstoi, No. Is Dolgo Khamo-
Vnchesky pereYulok, Moscow.
1t VIII not be for me 10 thank those who re-
spOud TO my appeal but for the unfortunate peO-
pie whom they Will save from starvation.
Moscow, Nov. 2, 1891. SOPHIA ToLSToI.
+. 81 beg other papers 10 reprint thls letter.