The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-18
THE STARVING RUSSIANS
Distributing Americas Contri'
button of Grain and Flour.
Appalling Condition Of the Fam
ine-Stricken Districts.

C.McC. Reeve, one Of the commissioners
who delivered in Russia the steamship
Missouri's cargo OF flour and cornmeal given
by Americans, and particularly by residents
Of Minnesota and Nebraska, to relieve dis
tress in the great famine districts, has re-
turned to this country. From twenty-six
States grain or money vas contributed, and
the New York Chamber of Commerce
capped the climax by giving $4,000. which
uurchased enough -four to make up the
Gissouri's cargo Of 5, $50, 600 pounds OF flour
and meal
s.After learning the needs and prevalent
conditions in various communities or kus.
Ms. ~ said Mr. Reeve to New York World
reporter. 1--WE selected about forty persons,
and allotted to each q proportion OF tne
cargo, which he seemed to need. Tho lls5
was revised several times.
The places selected for consignment are
scattered in the great territory, some SIX
hundred miles wide, southeast OF Moscow,
including the provinces Of Tula, Tsmbouf,
Surretsr and Samarra. Count Bobrlnsky
and DIR. Crawford, the Consul General, went
with me to Libau to meet the ship and the
other Commissioners. The Missouri came
towards the harbor Of Libau Sunday night,
April g. but was 80 heavily laden that
anchor was dropped three miles out. .
1.-THE people were alive to the mission OF
tia ship and her appearance was greeted
with salutes from the town and vessels in the
harbor and an abundant display Of bunt-
ing.
"Lightsriug was at once commenced, and
by Monday at P. Ne the first train OF
thirty-two cars was ready to start from the
interior, As each car was filed Govern
nsnt seal, which is one of the things no
body NEEDLES with there. was put over the
lock. The last few bags OF -four were
lifted into the last car by the RUSSIAN
aiSnitaries and the commissioners. Upon
,ach car an official placard was attached
which directed that the consignment be
hastened, with preference over all other
freight. ,.. ,,,,on+ a. -.
denarture of the train, which was attended
byimposing religious ceremonies. Priests OF
ef the Greek Church, clad In their robes OF
efsce, conaucted the exercises which blessed
the sacred freight. An invocation for Gods
blessing upon the American people was
fervently delivered. The scene altogether
was so unique and yet so solemn that it was
b me wonderfully impressive. lhave never
heard the singing Of a choir which equaled
that which participated in those services.
.vThat Monday night the Missouri had
been lightened enough to come into the inner
harbor. Bells were rung in the city and
rockets lighted up the night. Praises OF
America were on everybody's lips Each
departing train was blessed by the priests
and by Wednesday night April 6, tho last
one had gone. We followed It to Moscow.
..None of Us went into the heart OF the
famine district, Obviously after placing
cur Offering in the wisest hands possible we
could accomplish no further good. set
about gathering information Of this famine
and the condition of the Russian people
which would establish for my own satisfac-
ton the wisdom Of this generou, venture Of
Americans.
"Fhe famine is simply appalling. No
picture OF men, women and children
Starving ami freezing to death in wretched
hordes can be too awfully drawn to truth
fully portray the real situation. Besides
this district into spots Of which this Offering
went, there Is q triangular district along
che upper Volga and east Of Mimi Novgorod
from which few details can be learned, be-
cause the situation is simply awful. There
are vast regions, remote from the railroads,
where it is impossible to send any relief.
.'Where the soup kitchens and food dis.
tributions are IN operation lists are prepared
which allot times for each persons eating.
Able-bodied men AMI CHILDREN under two
years o. age are deuisi public food. These
children usually die. Women and children
are fed, but large families are allotted less
number OF meals than the number of MEM
bers, so some Of them must each day go
without eating
I'm the face Of all that has been said about
the neartlessness OF the nobility and landed
proprietors OF Russia" continued Mr.. Reeve,
NJ found that they have, as class, con-
stantly aided in uplifting the condition Of
the peasants. Minister Smith told me that
the present Gar has been frugal and from
allowances for ordinary court expenditures
has saved large sums, and that he has not
enly given all those savings, but has made
inroads upon his private purse in contribu-
tions to allay this suffering. He has given,
Mr.. Smith said, between $S. 600, 600 or $40,
coo 900, or more than all the rest Of the
world. This proves to my mind his deep so
Rcitude for his poople.n ~