The record-union., 1891-12-23
Special TO the REcoRD-UN1oS.

LONDON, Dec. %. = The TelegrapHS
there has been an enormous falling off in
the Government revenue from the fam
ine-stricken provinces. Reports of mer-
CHESS repression of outlawry are contin-
ually received. The civil authorities do
not depend upon themselves alone to put
down laWless acts, but upon the merest
preteXt summon the military, evidently
with the intention of overawing the peo-
pie. Three men convicted of robbery at
SImbeersk were condemned to undergo
punishment with the knout. The poor
wretches, who had probably stolen only
to keep alive, died under the lash. A
man detected in stealing Il few turnips
was sentenced to penal servitude for life.
While the army officers and many socie-
ties have given up many of their usual
banquets, etc, devoting the money usually
so spent 10 the relief of the famine suffer-
ers, the latter's distress has not touched
the hearts OF many of the richest mer-
chants OF st. Petersburg. They refuse to
subscribe anything Tor the relief of their
Suheflng cOuntrymeu. ADMINISTRATION of
the apathy with which appeals have been
received is the fact that collection boxes
placed about the Corn Exchange We're
found when removed to be filled with
bits OF tin and pieces of paper. In numer-
Gus cases dealers, after receiving exorbi-
tant prices for grain, sent to the famine
stricken provinces bags, the contents of
which were mostly grass, sand and bran
corruption is Widespread among the
oillce-holders, and they are little affected
by the sights OF distress, sickness and
death visible on every hand. Many town
officials have refused to enroll starving
peasants on the relief list unless they
hrst pay brlbe at the rate Of ten cOpecl<s
for every pound of rye given. Petitions
to the Provincial Assemblies and the
Government asking that dram shops be
closed, and the sale of vodka, the national
drink, be forbidden, have availed no.h-
ing.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
DEs MONIES, Dec. Ex-Governor Boies
to-day issued a proclamation calling at
tention to the famine in Russia and ask
ing for contributions from the people.
COULD NOT LIVE IN BRAZIL
ODESSA, Dec. 22.-A party of Polish
peasants who some time ago emigrated to
Brazil, III the belief that their condition
would be greatly improved, have returned
in a destitute condition. They found it
impossible to gain livelihood in Brazil.
RELIEF OF THE FAMINE-STRICKE
81. L 1ETERSBURG, Dec ZZ.-lhe Gar
has sent Colonel Wendrich to Poston in
vested with absolute powers to so organize
railway traffic as to effect the distribution
Of corn. The CZarowitch has Just do
mated $4,000 rubles to the famine fund.
while the Grand Dukes George, Alex
ander and Serglus each contributed 40 900
rubles. Money for relief purposes is also
flowing in freely from other sources.
RELIEF WOULD BE WELCOME.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-The Charge
d'Atiaires of the Russian Legation, re-
plying to a letter asking tor information
as to the famine in Russia and whether a
movement for help was necessary, said
that the population of twelve provinces.
over 20,0O0,O00 of people, were starving.
and that any assistance given would be
much appreciated.
WILL NOT ANNEX COREA.
ST.. PETERSBURG, Dec. 22.-The N0Uoe
Premye, semi-oflicial newspaper dis
cussing the proposal to annex Corea to
the Russian Empire, which plan is advo-
Gated in some military quarters, declared
that it is impossible for Russia to carry
out the proposal. The paper further
asserts, though she will not herself annex
Corea, Russia will not allow any other
Power TO do SO, as the immediate effect of
such a step would be to weaken Russian
ascendency, which it is positively neces-
sary should be maintained in order to
protect her interests in the far East