The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-13
AID FOR SUFFERING INDIA.
Savannah Expects to Send n Gener-
Gus Contribution.


The concerted action of the ministers
of the city and the ladies interested In
the work promises to secure a large meet
ing at Wesley Monumental church to-
morrow night. The ministers are earnest
~ engaged in an effort to make the meet
ing a representative one. The ladies' also
have their warmest sympathies enlisted
in the cause of furnishing India and mean
to leave nothing undone that may con-
tribute to the success of the plan they
have fostered.
The speakers selected for the meeting
both Of the clergy and laity, will attract
many. The stereophcon views will also
be interesting. They will show the depth
of suffering to which the long famine mas
reduced the people of India. The pro-
motors Of the plan for relief from Savan-
nah expect to raise a handsome sum to
forward to the distressed country of the
east.
The English government has been doing
much for the relief of the famine suf-
ferers and has so organized the dlstri-
button of its charity that it VIII serve to
prevent a recurrence of so great a hor-
ror, The construction of tanks Is q pub
lie work that has been given thousands
to perform. Men, women and children
are engaged in this work, and are paid in
corn.
"a compact statement has been pub
lished showing the percentage of the total
population that is receiving assistance
The figures show that there is famine in
every district in India. The failure Of
crops was very general and the railways
and canals have almost equalized prices
all over the country. From to per
cent of the population are engaged on re-
lief works In Burmah, and II per cent. in
one district of the northwest provinces. In
the district of Ahmednagar the percentage
on relief works is one-tenth of the whole
population, or $1,000 out OF $4,000 in the
district.
For some time past arrangements have
been in progress with a view of expediting
the transportation of the gifts of Ameri-
can corn to the seaboard. Already a num-
Der of the railroad companies have ex-
tended liberal facilities for this purpose.
AS soon as the cargoes are in sight, steam
ships will be in readiness, and loading
will begin without delay. 1t is hoped, If
the Christian people of America respond
literally and freely, that very few weeks
must elaDse before the gifts of corn will
be speeding across the continent in food
laden trains for loading on the Atlantic
seaboard. A gentlemen will personally
proceed to India for the purpose of super
intending the distribution and will stay in
that country until the last sack of corn
has been forwarded to it's destination in
the famine districts of the interior This
gentleman will go there solely at his own
expense, and all charges Incidental to the
journey will also voluntarily be borne by
him, so that the relief fund may not be
depleted to the extent of one dollar.
The San Francisco cargo, which is now
at New York, will go to Calcutta, where
the railway facilities for inland transpor-
tation are excellent. Care will be taken
that none but sound, old, kiln-dried corn
shall be sent, and every bushel will be in
spected at the port of sailing. The Amer
lean missionaries in India of all Protest
ant denominations will be once more sum-
moned to duty to aid In this distribution,
and 1t will be welcome news, indeed, for
them, when each in his respective dis
trict is made the almoner of this grand
life-bringing gift from the Christians OF
America.