The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-03-21
HORRIBLE FAMINE IN INDIA.
Scarcity Of Water and Food and Cattle
Dying by Thousands.
To the Editor Of The State:

0 the ECltOr o. 1ne Slatc.
Allow me through the columns OF
your valuable paper to call the atten.
tion Ct your readers 10 the terrible
famine that is now affecting our fellow
beings 10 India. Owing to the absolute
failure of the crops, there is a condition
of deetitution and wretchcdness, in
volviug millions Of the population, such
as India has never known. There is a
scarcity of water as we'll as food, and
as the cattle are starving by thousands,
there is produced situation, horrible
beyond description
The government has started system
of relief work which. by the end OF
March, will cost $40 200, 900. At pres
cnt about 1000, 600 persons are obtain
ing assistance from this source. About
% 600. 900 persons in British territory
and $1,000 600 in the native states,
making 49 100000 in all, are now be.
affected by the famine. The relief
secured by government works is barely
suffic to sustain lifc, and even this
reaches but small rer cent of the
popu atiou. At least ~, 900 600 of
famishing men. women and children are
entirely dependent upon the help sent
them from abroad. Bat beside these,
are more than 100, 900, 600 in other sec
lions who will be affected more or less
by the terrible famine.
Oae Of the missionaries to whom we
have been forwarding relief funds
writes Jan. 4th: Many of the people
have deserted their homes, and droves
of them, baggard, hungry and dis
tressed. stroll from place to place beg
ging for little food l
never saw anything so awfu! as the
suffering of the starving 1shall never
forget the groans | hear The people
are mere skeletons aud are dying fast.
Oh. if the people Of America who are
blessed with abundance could see, and
to some extent realize the great and
urgent need Of these starving millions,
they would surely do something for
their relief Another writes: Il feel
sometimes that l would never laugh
again when | see the suffering agd the
people dying. Who can describe the
suffering, woes, tears and groans which
result in the lingering death of multi
piled millions? The
sharp, cruel pangs of starvation are
prolonged through weeks, and even
months before death comes to their re-
lief. Go where you will, scores Of
starving natives are seen wandering
about the country seeking food
This condition Of things will grow
worse as the months go by, as there
can be no crops raised before the close
of the year 1900. The missionaries in
form US that two or three cents a day
will save human life.
l earnestly appeal 10 the citizens of
Columbia to.heed the heart rendiog call
of these starving, perishing millions,
and send them promptly out of their
abundance, what relief they can.
! am sure that it would be pleasing
to God, if the pastors Of the different
churches would bring this matter be-
fore their congregations at an early
day, at some convenient opportunity.
I have made arrangements to remit
promptly all contributions that may be
left at my Office, to perfectly reliable
in three sections Of the
famine district in India, who will pru-
deutly and wisely distribute the funds
to the best advantage.
John NJ. Pike,
Way of Faith Office,
llG4 Taylor Street.