New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
FAMINE-STRICKEN INDIA.
ENGLAND AWAKENING TO THE GRAVITY
OF THE SITUATION.
THE NECESSITY OF EXTENSIVE RELIEF MEAS
UREs AT LAST REALIZED. IN SPITE OF THE
ATTITUDE OF oFFIcIAIs-HoRRoR OF
THE FAMINE GRADUALLY BE-


London. Jan. OFT appears that England has
awakened from its apathy regarding the Indian
famine sufferers. and that measures will be
taken to alleviate the distress Notwithstanding
the purblnd attitude of the Indian Government.
which does not or will not see that the situation
is one of the worst It has ever had to confront.
The official reports from the famine districts
fail to reveal and may even be said to conceal
the terrible perspective Of suffering which lies
before the natives. The Government OF India
and the India Office are doing what they can to
prevent information from Independent sources
from reaching the public and in response to in
uuiries as to the truth OF statements appearing
in the native newspapers Of India. simply de-
clare them to be exaggerations or perversions
OF fact.
The official aim in attempting to minimize the
calamity can only be supposed to be due TO
anxiety to escape censure for a lamentable want
of foresight But the truth is now gradually
leaking out. and all the advices received here
fully confirm the summary Of the situation
cabled exclusively to the United Associated
Presses last week All advices concur in saying
that thousands OF persons are dying from STAR
walton from weakness. which prevents them
from assimilatng the little food they can obtain
1t Is known that in the district Of Jahalpur
alone which had population OF 2OOO0OO. 9o,OoO
persons have died. Thousands of others VIII
have to perish despite any efforts which may
be made to succor them. 1t will be impossible
to carry food to the people living In remote dis
tricts. far from the railroads and other lines OF
communication until the death lists are enor-
mously swollen.
Large as the existing Indian relief system Is, II
Is entirely unable to meet famine period when
IL Is estimated will extend over the whole OF
1897. Dispatches from the Vceroy OF India
have been received here telling cheerfully OF
rains which have fallen in several parts Of the
country but OF what possible use are rains 70 a
people with starvation staring them in the face?
They cannot sit down and wait for crops to grow,
ripen and be harvested; but It appears that the
Indian Government, with incomprehensbe fatu-
ity has acted on the belief that rain and not food
was wanting OF course rain will prevent re-
currence Of the famine but what Is wanted now
IL food. and that speedily, to save thousands on
thousands OF men, women and children from
horrible death. 49, ., go
The India Office authorities here, acting on
the entirely unfounded presumption that no ad
was renuired aside from that which would be
given by the Indian Government, checked the
Lord Mayor OF London In starting ramlne lunu
but as the advicco now at hand snow that tne
ARRANGEMENTS for fighting the FAMINE are ehtire-
ly Inadequate the Lord Mayor. at the request or
Lord George Hamilton. Secretary OF state Tor
India. has opened a fund which promises to
reach a large figure. nj.
The indifference hitherto displayed by the Brit
ish people to the sufferings OF their FELLOWSHIP
iects in India has undoubtedly been due 10 the
attitude OF the authorities. The appeals now be-
ing made to them are meeting with a ready re-
Spouse. and large contributions have already
been received at the Mansion House. the official
residence of the Lord Mayor. The fact that Rus
STA long ago saw and acted on the necessity OF
quickly extending aid to the sufferers VIII no
doubt cause the charitable here to emulate and
surnass the generosity Of the Russians. Inc
question OF a National relief grant will be raised
in Parliament
The business aspect OF the famine Is extremely
depressing A bad budget declining trade and
dear money embarrass. and will continue to EN-.
barrass the Indian Government. The official
value Of money called for two months az ~ per
cent has been a Fictitious value. The Bank OF
Bombay has refused to lend even at IL per cent