River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-01-15
STARVING BY HUNDREDS.
Fearful Suffering In England-Two Hun
dred Thousand Persons In London Una
BILE to Obtain Work. Many Dying from
Huuger and Gola


Fearful Suffering in EngIand-Two Hun
dred Thousand Persons In London Una
BILE to Obtain Work. Many Dying from
Hunger and Cold.
LONDON, Jan. IL. - The rigorous
weather continues and the distress
among the working classes, caused by
seven weeks of frost and snow, has as
sumed terrible proportions. In London
alone it is believed there are nearly
100000 men without work, and every
city in the kingdom reports
proportionate number. Most of
the local authorities have lamentably
failed in their duty toward the suffer
ing poor, and private charity, although
given everywhere in generous measure,
has proved sadly inadequate owing to
the tremendous magnitude of the evil.
The Socialist agitators never had more
promising material for their purposes,
and they are seeking to utilize it
to the fullest extent. The Government
has received information which proves
that agitators have for weeks past been
busily engaged among the poor people
melting them to violence. Starving
men are told of abundance, wealth and
Astounding luxury in the West End, and
are urged to seize forcibly that which
they viii never obtain by quiescent
suffering.
Saturday afternoon the alarm reached
police headquarters that a mob was
marching upon Northumberland ave-
nue. and Pail Mall with the avowed in
tention of looting the big hotels and
the aristocratic clubs The warning
was Immediately sent to st.
Georges barracks, hard by Trafalgar
square, and the police reserves were
summoned by telegraph from all
parts of the metropolis. A mob of
about 200 tattered, hunger-pinched
men actually did march along the
Thames entertainments, but their stom-
achs were too empty for fight. They
advanced as far as the Savoy Hotel, and
there catching sight of strong body of
police promptly followed the example
of their leader, well-known revolu-
tionary spouter, and bolted into space.
1t is hardly an exaggeration to say
that the unusual cold has completely
upset the English, hundreds of people
of advanced years having been actually
killed by it, not alone by the creation
of pneumonia and pulmonary diseases,
but by the actual severity of
the weather benumbing and
freezing them to death. The
death notices are phenomenally
numerous and the hospitals are over
crowded with those who, unused To the
slippery walks, have fallen and broken
arms or legs. But more severe than all
else is the fish and vegetable famine
prevailing. Fish is such a luxury that
it commands the highest prices. Veg
etables are at just double their former
figures, and in buying one is sure to
find many that are frost bitten or other
wise spoiled. This serious condition of
the produce market has filled the police
courts with men and women charged
with stealing food, or that which they
might exchange for food.
LONDON, Jan. 1.-THE British gov
eminent now has about ten miles OF
railway started in Ireland, and several
thousand persons are employed at from
twelve to thirteen shillings per week.
In addition, in the counties of
Mayo, Galway and Donegal, where
severe distress exists, men, women
and children are employed at road
making at from seven shillings a
week for men to five shillings a week
for children. Huts have been erected
for working people unable to go to
their homes at night. Mr.. Sexton, the
Irish member of Parliament, says that
he intends to introduce measure of re-
lief for Irish farm laborers as an amend
ment or appendix to the land purcl ase
bill, which only helps the farmer.