The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-19
RELIEF FOR The RUSSIAN PEASANTS.


If anything were needed to accentuate the
prosperous condition of the United States. II
is furnished IN the contrast between the
abundance prevailing in this country and the
restitution which is now sinking so many
districts in Russia 70 the lowest depths OF
despair. Rarely in the past have the crops or
tina United States been larger than IN the
wear which has recently closed. In spite OF the
vast amount of wheat which has been eA-
ported. il is estimated that not less tnan ~
Goa COO bushels remain either in the hands OF
the farmers or in elevators and other places OF
sroroqe-an enormous food supply III itself.
Add 10 this supply the amount OF corn whicn
Is still in the barn and the amount OF pro-
visions Of every sort and description which IS
ready for use, and it will be seen that the
shadow Of famine is not likely soon to fall
across our land.
Beyond the ocean lies a country which Is IN
the very opposite situation. For many months
want in its very gauntest form has Deen
staring very large proportion Of its people
/ in the face The population of whole sections
of country have been in a state of actual star
walton. Thousands have already perished
from the numerous diseases which are engen-
dered bv famine. while thousands have died
from famine itself The Russian Govern
ment. powerful as it is, has been unable to
cone with this calamitous condition of affairs,
and has been forced to look on at the progress
OF an evil which it could only mitigate in
part from the magnitude OF its proportions.
In the terrible crisis TO which the prolonga-
ton Of this destitution has brought the Rus
sian Empire it seems to be most appropriate
that the United States, overlooking with the
fruits of fertile soil and genial climate
should come to the relief of the people who
have been SO sorely stricken by AL the hor-
rors of want. Separated in space by many
thousand miles. alien in race and tradition,
antaconistic in political institutions and OPP
posed in social principles, Russia and the
United States nevertheless stand upon the
platform Of "a common humanity. and TO that
extent at least are identifedm sympathies.
Already two great steamships loaded down
with flour. meal and meat have been dis
patched from this country to the Russian
mort which lies nearest 10 the provinces
which are suffering luO9b AoNeiSl1. 1AD III
diana has already arrived at Its destination
Its precious cargo will be removed with the
utmost rapidity, and under the supervision Of
trustworthy agents sent out from the UniteC
States will be iudiciousy distributed Only
n few days ago the Missouri left It's wharf II
New York containing "a similar cargo of food
In a short time it. like the Indiana, will rencl
the port of Labau. and will bring life anC
happiness to thousands of individuals wh'
but for its Intervention would perish iron
the face of the earth like beasts in drought
Two American steamships laden will
bread and meat cannot furnish relief TO al
the starving peasants IN Russia. but they vii
. AZ least afford a very substantial assistance
The example thus set by the United States
also OF nestmable value IN stimulating III
benevolent associations Of Europe in ofiern
= additional aid But even if no such mora
I influence as this we're exerted by the act upo
r foreign sentiment, it IS eminently TO tn
g credit of the American people that the
= should have come forward before the worl
7 as relievers of the needy and destitute VIII
: had no claims upon their attention excel
those that spring from a common humanity