The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-26
Attacks the Inhabitants of the
Emerald Isle
As the Result of Eating Defec-
tive Potatoes.
THIS SORT is SCARCE
And Prospect of Famine Grows
Daily More Apparent.
Meetings Being Held to Provide
Relief Measures.

Dublin, Oct 26.-There are two sides
to the question of the famine in Ire
land. One side is that of the govern
ment, which alleges that the famine is
exploited by politicians as an argument
against the administration of Irish al
fairs. The other side, held by many OF
the clergy, politicians and people, is
that it is certain there will be great
distress throughout large sections Of
the country.
A meeting of Roman Catholic pre-
lates was held at MaynOOth this week
and those present adopted resolutions
that the Irish bishops and biShopS OF
Ireland deem it their duty to submit to
the government a statement OF their
conviction, formed on the personal
knowledge of seven members Of that
body, that the failure of the potato and
cereal crops in many districts, espec-
tally on the southern and western
coasts must lead to great distress ana
unless some expedient measures OF re-
lief are adopted, to serious consequen-
ces.
It is particularly bad in the middle
and western Cork districts, from Ma
Groom to the borders of Kerry, includ
ing two congested districts. Meetings
are being held, the parish priests pre-
siding, to urge the government to start
relief works before the people Feach
the point of actual suffering. The dis
trict Of Bantry where the greatest sut-
fering occurred in 1875 and 1879, is as
DaQ as the COEk uISIIICLS. ne pOLd-
toes are practically exhausted already.
In mid-Cork and along the southern
coast there is not more than a quarter
of the usual crOp.It is said that a very
small percentage of the farmers in
these districts have saved their pota-
toes, and those saved are reported to
be SO badly diseased that when eaten
they produce Irish cholera"
It is feared that the supply of food
will be exhausted before next year.The
other crops are very bad The labOrerS
are worse off than the farmers, because
now that the crops are harvested they
have no expectation of work until the
spring.
The government officials insist on
keeping themselves fully informed re-
garding the conditions prevailing and
will be able, apparently to cope with
the distress but they say they are un-
able to announce at this time what dis
tricts or how many people will be at-
fected.
]. B. Daugherty, assistant under sec
retary of state for Ireland, discussing
the situation with a reporter OF the
Associated Press said there would un-
dOubtedly be suffering but added that
the predictions of a famine similar to
that of 1S48 were the greatest rubbish.
He added: There are several cOun-
ties on the west coast of Ireland where
the people have had an exceedingly
hard time to attain self-suppOrt under
the best conditions and it requires just
a small push to send them over the
line so that with a small falling off of
the crops they will be obliged to ac-
Cept aid. This will be the case in parts
of the west coast. Two circumstances,
however, namely the increase of rail-
road facilities since 1S47 and the fact
that the people no longer depend en-
ttrely upon the potato crop, are to be
considered.
"The truth is that part of ireland is
not sufficiently productive to support
/ its people, and it is a question whether
manufactures should not be taken to
them or whether they should not be
taken to the manufacturers of Eng
land the United States. or elsewhere,
though I am not prepared to say which.
If electricity was largely applied to
manufacturing in Ireland that country
would have a great future as a manu-
featuring center but if Ireland is
obliged to import coal it would be un-
able to compete with England and
kother countries" In conclusion, Mr..
'Daugherty left it to be inferred that
relief work would be inaugurated, al
though he did not say so.