The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-31

PHILADELPHIA. Jan 31.-''While the
cable dispatches have told very briefly Of
the terrible famine in India, no one, uE-
less he had witnessed the awful scenes
OF 1897, can form any idea OF the actual
situation at present"
1t was Rev. II. J. Bruce, of the American
Board Of Foreign Missions. who has been
doing missionary work in and about SAHARA,
in the Bombay Presidency. for the past
| thirty-seven years, who made the quoted
statement to a reporter last evening.
People are dying in India by thousands.
cattle by tens Of thousands" he contin-
ued. Il was through two previous afiic-
tiOns of this kiu0, but the conditions now
are even more appalling. The rainy sea-
son was a failure. Rain generally falls
from June TO October. 1t did not do so
last year. There was so little Of it that
the crops were all dried up. and the people
had to face what seemed like never ending
drought.
Nov, while there is food famine.
there is also a famine Of water. The mis-
sion schools have had to be abandoned be-
cause the children at times could not get
a drink without going distance Of three
miles for it. 1t is said that in one district
alone, covering an extent of territory
about equal to one of your counties. there
are 100000 head Of cattle, and that it is
expected 100000 of these will die be-
cause there is no fodder for them. Peo-
pie are starving on all sides. The gov
Is om
suffering and has established relief works
all over the famine districts. But a week
ago there were. according TO reports which
| have seen. 10000 00 people in dire need,
and there may be a million more now.
TO add to this heartrending condition
the bubOnic plague is still causing fearful
ravages. It has been spreading for the
past four years here, there. and every
where. During that period there have
been over 100000 cases in the Bombay
I Presidency. Lord CurzOn. the new Gov
ernOT General. is doing everything posi-
bic to stay its progress. is willing 20 spend
the last rupee TO save the lives Of the peo-
pie but the future is dark indeed.
During the famine OF 1897 the govern
ment spent so 900, O00 rupees in the work
or relief. and yet I have heard that eight
and half million people persisted Of star
walton and the plague. They died in the
/ saw children so greatly emaciated that
they could not eat when the food was pro-
yided for them. The only way in which
they could be nOurished was 10 rub cod
liver oil over their shrunken bodies
If aid could be sent these starving peo-
pie from America Il would be a great
charity indeed One. two, or three ship
loads OF corn. beans. and other checo food
would be invaluable there. The carrot is
the crop that can be raised quickest. and
I il carrot seed was sent to the famine dis
tricts it could be planted az once when
the rains come and the crop would be
ready month earlier thar the crop Of or
binary grain.
'As 10 religious work in India IL is
steadily progressing. All II these terri
bic trials aid in the spread OF the Gospel
and tend to eventually stop the abomina-
/ bic system OF caste. As an instance OF this
| latter phase I may tell you that during
| the last famine l offered a Mussulman
food from my table but he refused IL be-
cause he said it would break his caste to
take it from a Christian. I said I would
( take his two boys and care for them in
the mission orphanage. but he would not
leave them with me for the same reason -
Rev Mr.. Bruce has been in the United
states but twice before in thirty-seven
years This is his third furlough and he
expects 10 return 20 SAHARA during the
| earl ypart Of the coming summer.