Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-08
THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA,
Denial by the Gar That There Is Starvation
in His Domains

DenlaA ny the LAR Inat mere Is St0rv0tlO0
in His Domains
Advices from ST. Petersburg received in
London show that the car is either willfully
blind to the situation of affairs in his empire
or that the true condition of the peasants Of
Russia has been kept from his knowledge.
Reports have reached London that the car
has heretofore stated that no widespread famine
exists in his dominions, ard that the sufferings
OF the poor are due entirely to a partial failure
OF the crops, which tho Russian government
finds no trouble in making up from the stocks
in the provinces where the crops were not
affected. The latest instance Of his majesty's
opinion on the subject was given at recent re-
view Of the Semononffsky Regiment of the
Guards. The officers of this regiment moved
by the stories of restitution aud distress
which had reached them, started q
subscription which they intended to
devote to the relief of the famine
sufferers 1t was necessary for them to get the
cars sanction for the distribution OF the
money thus raised. and the colonel Of the regi-
ment, on the occasion of the review, begged
the car to give the desired permission. Be-
lore the colonel could finish his appeal, how
ever, he was interrupted by the car, who an
grily exclaimed: There are no starving people
In my empire; there is only some suffering due
to bad harvest. The measures taken by the
government will preserve them from famine. "
Chagrined at the abrupt refusal OF the car,
the colonel retired and reported the result of
his interview to his fellow officers. The re-
marks made by his majesty have been keenly
discussed in army society.
WHAT CORRESPONDENT SAW.
A correspondent who accompanied a gov
eminent inspector on his rounds in the famine
districts Of Toula, Russia, writes that many
huts were found packed with families, the
members Of which tried to keep warm by
crowding together. Unclad women and
children of three generations slept huddled
together on the same benches above stoves.
Barns and outhouses were destroyed for
fuel. The interiors of the huts were with
out light and bare of furniture and permeated
by an intolerable stencil. The people in most
OF these homes had been three days abb
solutely withou. food and were waiting for re-
lief. The roofs of many huts had been partly
used for fuel. In several cases unprotected
children were discovered in a starving condi-
ton, having been deserted by their parents
who had gone to look for work. In some instances
boards OF food were found which would be
sufficient for weeks. The correspondent adds
''Some peasants. accustomed to get their living
largely by begging and others hitherto self.
supporting. are now starving. Most of the
sufferers hide whatever stores they secure.
The area of 'pauperized Russia is ten times
that of England. Our tour disclosed the abso-
Lutte cessation OF industrial and productive
work. The failure of the harvest is keenly fel,
in the towns Manufacturing is stopped. The
country swarms with itinerant beggars and the
The peasants affect the most extreme self.
abasement before the gentry, but really feel
intense hatred for this class, and arc ripe for q
revolt springing out of their genuine feeling