Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-18
HER BITTER CRY.
India Hardly Recovered Yet From the
Famine of 1897.


lBy the Rev. T. l.. Abbott OF the Bom-
bay AIiSson.l
Among the sad nations India to-day
stands first. Hardly recovered from the
great famine of 1897 another has now
commenced, and 1900 will perhaps tell
as terrible tale of woe as any past
year of this century can do. The cry
for help is weekly growing louder as
restitution grows deeper, and Starvh-
ton comes nearer. The benevolent
heart of this country has not yet re-
sponded to the cry from that far-off
land. The newspapers OF this country
have. as yet, given but little Informal
ton on the progress of the famine In
the din of war, the moaning of the hun
cry has not been heard. but week by
week the fearful spccter OF famine
draws nearer and nearer. and India
cry Will not long be unhcard or UNI
responded TO.
RELIEF MEASURES OF THE COW
ORNAMENT.
The government has a printed Pam
me Code" which has been drawn IN
from past experience OF famines. and as
soon as IL famine is threatening. lis
suggestions and rules 20 into force.
Altcf every famine this code is revised
so as 10 nave incorporated in il every
practice hat has been found efficient.
me chief measures are: "a Relief
WORKS. such as making common roads
ralIroad cmbnnlkmentS and Improving
the Irrigation OF the country. The i'm.
poriance of the latter is recognized. but
occdus, oil local conditions has not all
ways been found practicable. These
RELIEF camps often contain several
Thousand men, women and children
iheN receive Just enough money 10
Keep soul ana body together. but nor
e,,, $50 !, 10 TEMPT any one away from his
own ieEltimatc work. 60 Kitchens for
work "N"N ~
METHODS OF MISSIONARY pr.
LIEF.
The principlc generally followed ,s
10 help without pauperizing, some Of
me practical applications Of which ;,ro
the following: Opening of tIepofs
where grain is sold at cost price. This
not only benefits the poorest, but helms
greatly 10 keep down the price OF grain
III inc market. which at such times the
aVaricious and hcartless grain dealers
run up to eNorbitant rates. Another
helpful form OF relief is to keep men
Ut their occupations by buying their
products at n rate sufficient to supDort
them. Thousands of handlooms are
thus kept active. For those too weak
10 work and With no means of buyinc.
grain. there Is its free distribution. and
'.'c temporary or permanent care of
children left orphans, or abandoned by
their parents.
THE PRESENT CONDITION.
The people have not fully recovered
from the famine OF 1897, hence they
are falling prey to restitution earlier
IN the course of this famine than in the
one three years ago On the LIST of
November about 100000 were on gov
ernmcnt relief works. and the number
was rapidly increasing. The latest re-
port by cable places the figure on the
I'D OF November at 100000 \ month
ago death by starvation were being
reported in Northern Gazarat. Parents
were abandoning their children, living
skeletons were seen lying on the road
side; children We're born under the shell
ter OF bridges and their mothers dying
tor lack of fooed. Such were tho, hor-
rors in certain localities Il month ago.
What they will be during the next
rainless eight months can be imagined
only with sinking heart.
VIII not the sympathetic feelings Of
Americas manhood and womanhood
respond 10 midas cry? It's n cry now.
II Will be a terrible wall of woe before
long. The time to help is now.-The
Advance.