The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-04-14
RUSSIA'S AWFUL FAMINE.
CONDITION OF THE PEASANTS
Many Of Them Commit Suicide Because
OF the Hopslessness of Their
Position. Usury Praotioed
to the Extrems.

The special correspondent of Reuters
Telegraph Company sends TO London, from
Mini, Novogorod, Russia, a lengthy ac-
count of the awful condition Of the famine
stricken Russians. lie says: Here is a
hut without flooring; as you enter it you
tread upon the bare ground. There is no
fuel Tor the big stove, and the hut is made
uuately warmed by small charcoal brazier
,iaced in the center. The monthly allow
ince of bread lasts the occupants for two
weeks and half Three families have
sought refuge in this single hut, and burn
alternately their respective share of fuel,
consisting almost exclusively now Of the
roofs of the deserted cabins and even the
woodwork of the huts themselves. Being
without shcepskins, these famishing
peasants are unable TO seek work, TO go
begging, or to do anything but sit passiveiy
huddled together, bemoaning their wretch
edness.
Gases Of suicide are common. and hero
Is a typical example. solitary peasant,
without relations or friends, landless and
helpless had earned his living for year
honestly as a shepherd. lie was 81 years
old. The famine overlook his village, and
he lost his occupation. 1he villagers had
no food for themselves, still less for him.
What was he 10 do? despair seized him
and he put an end to his joyless life. In
another case which was brought to my
knowledge the father of family commit.
ed suicide under the following circum-
stances. He was 80 years old, and had
failed to obtain work After starving for a
fortnight. the helplessness of his case and
cries of his hungry little ones were too
much for him. He begged from house 10
house for three days, and collected few
crus,s and little Hour, which he did not
touch himself, but gave it to his children.
He then relinqulshcd the struggle ana died
by his own hands
The custom of giving aims in the name
of Christ, which is universal in Russia, and
Is one Of the most beautiful traits in the
character Of the people, has not proved Of
much avail TO the destitute this winter
NendiCants knock at the doors and WIN
dows of dwellings bow to the ground and
mutter: For Christ's sake The peasant
housewife instantly collects "A few Crusts and
| gives them tu the applicant IL is considered
! a sin 10 turn the petitioner away. and even
| in such large towns as Moscow and ~
| Petersburg this practice is kept up. People
| with such customs must have been long
| Injured to hardships and privatlons, but this
| year the bow has snapped and the old usage,
! Of Orthodox Russia have failed 70 keep
want from the door. There has been nc
| one To practice them
The correspondent quotes from official re.
| ports, showing the hopelossness of the stua.
| lion, and the extreme usury practiced. lie
adds: In many parts of Nishcgorod the
| peasants are living on mushrooms and bread
made from tarcs and husks. Anxious to I'M
prove their condition and help themselvcsI
the peasants Of Nishegorod who are amonr'i
the most intelligent IN Russia, early prel
pared to face the famine Many of them so 4
all they had and cmigrated TO Siberia al
other provinces. but their wanderings seldom
! brought them to land Of promise, and
| many instances they were ordered back 4
their native districts by the police"
Competent authorities have told me thai
| Il will take Russia 10 years to recover from
the effects AZ the lamine. There are pro,
| poets for fair crop