The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-26
IRISH CROPS MEAGER
NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT HUN
GER ENTERING MANY HOMES.
People of Several Counties ON the
West Coast VIII Suffer, but There
Is No Danger of a Famine.
(correspondence Of Associated Press.)

Correspondence OF Associated Press)
DUBLIN, Oct. 14.--There are two sides to
the question of famine in Ireland. One side
is that of the government, which alleges
that the famine is exploited by politicians
as an argument against the administration
of Irish affairs. The other side, held by
many of the clergy, politicians and people,
Is that it is certain there will be great dis
tress throughout large sections Of the coun-
try. A meeting of Roman Catholic prelates
was held at Maynooth this week and those
present adopted resolutions that the arch
bishops and bishops of Ireland deem it their
duty to submit to the government a state
ment of their conviction, formed on the per-
sonal knowledge of seven members Of that
body, that the failure of the potatoes and
cereal crops in many districts, particularly
on the southern and western coasts, must
lead to great distress and unless speedy
measures Of relief are adopted to disas-
trous consequences.
From delegates who were present at the
convention Of the Independents az Dub
lin this week, details of the situation were
learned. 1t is particularly bad in the middle
and west Cork districts, south Ireland, from
Macroon to the borders of Kerry, including
held, the parish priests presiding, to urge
the government to start relief works before
the people reach the point of actual suffer-
ing. The district of Bantry. where the great
suffering occurred in 1S47 and 1879, is as bad
as the Cork district. The potatoes are prac-
tically exhausted already. In Mid Cork and
along the southern coast there is not more
than a quarter of the usual crop. 1t is said
that very small per centage of the farm
ers in these districts have saved their pota-
toes, and those saved are reported to be so
badly diseased that when eaten they pro-
duce Irish cholera 1t is feared the supply
of food will be exhausted before the new
year. The other crops are very bad. The la
borers are worse off than the farmers, be-
cause, now that the crops are harvested
they have no expectation of work until the
spring.
ing themselves fully informed regarding
the conditions prevailing and will be able
apparently, to cope with the Distress but
they say they are unable to announce at
this time what districts or how many peo-
pie will be affected. J. B. Dougherty, assist
ant under secretary OF state for Ireland
discussing the situation, said there would
undoubtedly be suffering, but he added
that the predictions of q famine similar to
that of the year 184S were the interest rub
bish." He added: There are several coun-
people have had an exceedingly hard time
to attain self-support under the best con-
ditions and it requires but q small push to
send them over the line, so that with a
small falling off of the crops they will De
obliged to accept aid. This Will be the case
in parts of the west coast. Two circum-
stances, however, will prevent a recurrence
of famine in leland under any circum-
stances, namely, the increase of facilities
since 1S4S and the fact that the people no
longer depend entirely on the potato crop.
THE truth is, that part of Ireland is not
sufficiently productive to support it's people
and II is question whether manufactures
should not be taken to them or whether
they should not be taken to the manufac-
turers of England, the United States or
elsewhere, though / am not prepared to saw
which If electricity was largely applied to
manufactures in Ireland. that country
would have a great future as a manufacture
ing center, but If Ireland is Obliged to inn
port coal it will be unable to compete with
England and other countries The govern
ment is keeping informed on the situation
and is fully able to handle any suffering
which may arise" In conclusion DIR. Doueh.
erty left it to be inferred that relief works
would be inaugurated, although he did not
say So