Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-27
FAMINE RULES.
AN AUTOCRAT WHO RULES MORE CRUELTY
TEAM THE GLARS.
Realistic Pen Pictures From Scientist Who
Dwells N the Russian Province
Of Perm.

In the absence Of trustworthy news
from the famine-stricken districts of
the Russian Empire, the letter given
below, from prominent scientific man
of the city of Ekaterinburg, in the
province of Perm, makes interesting
reading. This letter was furnished by
George Z. Kunz, the noted expert in
precious stones. to the New York TTi-
bURe. IL runs:
This year is very heavy one for Rus
STA. Last summers corn harvest hay
ing been exceedingly bad, the news, as
IL comes to Us here, is growing worse
and worse. In the provinces along the
VOlga river and on the east side of the
IRA Mountains the corn crop was al
most entirely ruined. l was able TO get
exact reports Of the famine in this prov
ince, and therefore in this letter shall
speak only Of Perm. The crops OF corn,
rye, wheat and oats were entire failures
in the districts of Ekaterinburg, Kamy-
shlaf and ShadrinS6, and it fell much
heavier on the people, as last years
harvest had been very low.
AS early as in May the morning froSts
has ruined the barley and peas, and
such q small amount of rain fell i'm
June, July and August that the corn
fields were burnt by the sun and the lit
tie that remained was devoUred by
grasShOpperS, which were very abund-
ant last summer. According TO the OBJ
servations of the physical observatory
Of this city the rainfall in the summer
months was only about half the average
for the last fifty years. The low water
IN the river and seas, together with the
lack Of rain, dried the grass before il
had fully grown up. so that the crop Of
hay is only half as large as that Of last
year, which was insufficient for the
needs Of 1890
Owing 10 the lack of food the prices
horses and cattle have fallen very low.
A work horse can be had now for two
paper rubleS (SlO2). The districts
which are suffering most are, Of course,
the ones whose population engage en-
tirely in agricultural pursuits. It's now
also very difficult TO find work on this
side 1.-THE RuSsiau) Of the mountains, as
the production is diminishing every
where.
The local ZemStoo-the government
OF the rural diStricts-haS calculated
necessary 10 have 20 sustain the popu-
latiOn Of the most afflicted parts Of the
Ekaterinburg district, and has prepared
the following: For food, 92S,33S ru5leS
1886, 273.5 O); to sow the fields next
spring, 100000 rubleS $50, OOO); 10
buy bread for the factory population,
SOO,O 900 rubles (S6OO,0OO). Do not think
that these figures are exaggerated. on
the contrary, this statement will pro5a'
ably prove 70 be altogether too low, as
only twenty-eight cOmmunes (communi-
ties) were taken into consideration. The
famine cannot be localized, as il Is
growing more widespread through Che
diffusion Of starving people into less
hunger-stricken towns and villages.
The required sum of money is eX-
pected 10 come from the general treas
ury OF Russia, from capitals OF rural
districts and through private assistance.
But one thing has TO be taken into con-
sideration is the fact that, as so many
provinces in Russia are suffering from
an unfruitful harvest, 10 Is 70 be sup
posed that the imperial treasury will
not be able, even by simplified fOrmali-
ties, to allOt the required funds at the
necessary time. The subscriptions
from the rural governments will be
used first, as they are near by and easy
10 get at. But all that will not be
enough. There remains only one hope
for our starving cOuntrymen-priyate
help and Christian charity.
Private people are also doing all pos
sible to help. In this town, for instance,
a free dinner, including soup, meat, FISH,
cruel and bread, is daily delivered TO
about 900 people, and this number is in
creased every week. Three new aSylumS
have been opened for women and
children and night asylum for men.
all these are full, as are also the aSylumS
Rlready In eXistGnce. But country peO-
pie come 70 town every day in search OF
bread, and soon these aSyluwS and the
amount of food will be insufficient
A few days ago, in meeting OF the
local medical society, DR.. SmOrodinSef
read a report OF the food eaten by the
peasants in the Ekaterinburg district.
After personal inquiries in different
parts Of the district he found out what
the /, 700 peasants of different cOudl-
tions were eating The food they eat
is only one-half Of the amount Of nutri-
tious substances necessary TO health.
Inc EtNuANc nave UthA ffN.H-tN'-NN' 49,
predispoSitioh TO illness. Now, under
the present circumstances, it Is stu
worse. DR.. SmorodnSef presented with
his report samples Of the bread eaten
bv the peasants and wOrkingmen. 10
is made of pigweed, straw, mill dust
and clay! IL is not difficult 10 imagine
what influence this "Oread mas upon
the health Of the unhappy peasants
The condition Of the little children IS
particularly bad, as they have no milk;
The cows were either eaten or starved
long ago, and the little ones are com
PEELED 70 eat the same dread as ther
parents. Our district has already be
come famous for the exceedingly hish
mortality in it-44a thousand-out we
fear that il is still on tho Increase. Inc
famine now has increased more especial
ly at Tscheibinsk. Whole villages are
going 70 confession in preparation Tor
death.