Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-26
FAMINE SEEMS Imminent.
Failure Of Crops in Ireland Threatens
Serious HardshipS.
The British Government Attempt
ing to Minimize the Seriousness
of the Outlook-Prominen Men,
Including Pastors, Living IN the
Afflicted Districts Proclaim the
Necessity for Aid-Public Works
Suggested.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
Dublin. October 14.-There are two
sides to the question of the wamlne
in Ireland On one side is that of the
government, which alleged that the
famine is exploited by politicians as
an argument against the administra-
ton of Irish affairs. 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 archbishops and bishops on
Ireland deem it their duty to submit
to the government statement or
their conviction, formed on the per-
sonal knowledge of seven members OF
that body. that the failure OF the
potato and cereal crops in many dis
| tricts, particularly on the southern
and western coasts, must lead TO great
distress, and unless speedy measures
of relief are adopted to disastrous
xs,eaa! - t = sfi1f5 the Independents
CT dublin this week, details OF the
s;tnation were learned. 1t is particu-
larly bad in the middle and west Cork
districts, South of Ireland, 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 10
start relief work before the people
reach the point of actual suffering.
The district of Bantry, where the
greatest suffering occurred in lS4I and
1879. is as bad as the Cork district.
The potatoes are practically exhausted
already. In middle Cork and along the
southern coast. there is not more than
a ouarter of the usual crop. 1t is said
that very small percentage OF the
farmers in these districts have saved
their potatoes, and those saved are re-
ported to be so badly diseased that
when eaten they produce Irish chol-
era" 1t is feared that the supply of
food will be exhausted before the new
wear. The other crops are very bad.
The laborers are worse off than the
farmers. because now that the crops
are harvested. they have no expecta-
ton of work until the spring.
The government officials insist upon
keeping themselves fully informed re-
garding 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 people will be
affected.
J. B. Doughterty. assistant under SEC
rotary of state for Ireland. discussing the
situation with q representative of the As
ISOLATED Press. said there would undoubt-
edly be suffering. but he added that the
predictions of a famine similar to that of
the year lS4S were the merest rubbish -
He added:
There are several counties on the west
coast of ireland where the people have
had an exceedingly hard time 10 attain
self support under the best conditions. and
il requires but small push TO send them
over the line, so that with small falling
OF OF the crops they will be obliged 10 &C
cept aid. This will be the case in parts of
th= west coast. Two circumstances. how
ettr. will prevent recurrence Of fam
ire in Ireland under any circumstances.
ramely the increase OF railroad facilities.
since 1915. and the fact that the peopje
no longer depend entirely upon the potato
cror
The government is keeping informed
or the situation and is fully able to han
die any suffering which may arise
IT conclusion Mr. Dougherty left il TO be
inferred that relief works would BE- inau-
surated, although he did not say so.