The morning call., 1892-02-02
RUSSIA'S DISTRESS.
Minister Smith Reports 10 the State Depart
m8nt the Terrible Suf8rin5S.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The horrors OF
the Russian famine were to-day brought TO
the attention Of the Department of State in
a report from Minister Smith at ST. Peters
burg. lie says in part: Gold as we'll as
hunger causes terrible suffering. In some
neighboThOods large numbers of persons
huddle together in houses most conducive
to warmth. Barns are torn down and the
boards used for firewOod, even the thatched
roofs are torn off and the straw is made to
feed the dying embers. Clothing is given
away for bread; horses and cattle sacrificed
at fifth OF their value. Fodder is as
scarce as human food aud in some cases
horse flesh has been used for sustenance.
During the winter there Is no work and
fathers have left their wives and children
to fight the battle of want alone, because
they could do nothing and their absence
left fewer mouths to feed at home. The
bread which many are eating is composed
OF wild arrack, potatoes, chatf and leaves,
and these terrible conditions Invariably
produce disease. Within the radius of one
mile there are 100 cases of typhus fever
The pestilence is decimating the people.
The official estimate OF those without food
or means OF support who require aid Is given
as 14,0OO,OOO persons and this is probably be-
low the true number. The loss to Russia
hy the famine Is estimated at $500, ,00O, 0O0
Up to the present time there has been but
few contributions from abroad, but the
Government and the people of Russia are
deeply sensible Of the spontaneous offers
made in various parts of the United States.
FUNDS FOR THE WORLDS FAIR.
The National Worlds Fair Commissioner
st. Clair, and Directors Walker and Peck
and President Baker. held an important
conference to-day on the Worlds Fair AD-
preparation Bill to be presented to Con-
gress. 1t is understood as result Of the
conference that the budgets for Congress
will be prepared tomorrow by the con-
fer rees. and these budgets will be intrusted
solely to Mr.. st. Clair and his committee
action is said to be that an agreement was
reached whereby any funds which Congress
may appropriate for the exposition Will be
placed under the control of the National
Commission and not the Chicago Directors.
SIMPSONS LAND LOAN BILL.
Representative Simpson to-day intro
duced bill to promote a nd encourage agri-
culture by authorizing the United States
Government to lend money on farm land at
per cent per anGum,
THE POsToFFICE SITE.
Ex-Judge Harvey w. Brown called to see
Secretary Foster to-day concerning the San
Francisco PoStofice site. Nothing was
settled and will not be for some days or
possibly weeks yet.
SECRETARY FOSTER S HEALTH.
Secretary Foster spent short time at the
Treasury Department to day, but will
hardly be able TO resume the actual direc-
ton of its affairs for at least one week yet.
THE SILK INDUSTRY.
The House Committee on Agriculture to-
day had under consideration the bill TO en-
courage the silk industry of the United
States. No action was taken.
A CADET APPOINTED.
Representative Loud has decided to appoint
Albert Jesse BOwey as a cadet to the Mill
tary Academy at West Point, from the Fifth
Congressional District.
PURCHASE OF SILVER.
The Treasury Department to-day pur-
chased 400, 600 ounces of silver at from 5000
10 OLE