Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-04
Why Not he Eair{


The more closely Mr. Hale's speech. in
! the Senate last Friday in reference to the
relief of the Indian famine sufferers is
studied in the light of the facts the more
amazing it appears. Surely even one who
opposes congressional appropria ton for
such purpose, or who is offended by the
thought of an Anglo-Amercan alliance, or
who sympat hizes with the Beers in their
war. or one who is Influenced by combi-
nation of al these sentiments, may be ex-
pected to understand the case of the fam
inc relief work in India and to state 1t with
fairness. 1t should not be necessary to ig-
more the truth or to venture violent criti-
cism utterly devoid Of foundation in fact
in order to justify general attitude of en-
nifty against England. MIR. Hale should
know-he should have ascertained before
speaking as he did-that England Is now
maintaining, as for many months. most
comprehensive scheme of relief in India.
having at this time no less than six million
human beings under direct and continuous
care. He should know. too. that this great
work. probably without parallel in the
worlds history. has been conducted in large
measure with funds voluntarily contrib
uted by the English people and those of the
British colonies. These subjects of Queen
Victoria have given most generously out
of their private purses in all quarters of
the globe. The relief committees in the col
onies have been no less active than those
in England. And the marvel is that the
war in Africa. calling as it has for great
sacrifices by the English people. draining
the public purse. requiring the raising of
many funds by the people. has not caused
any abatement of the Indian relief work
G; h.1
been advanced, each heavy burden upon
a most resourceful people and in the ag-
gregate a task that might well cause the
wor.d-critic, whatever his sympathies or
animosites, to exclaim in admiration.
The relief work in India is being forward
ed with such system the peculiar con-
dtions permit. There is no pause, no cessa-
ton of the steady stream of wealth re-
quired to maintain the millions now abso-
lutely dependent upon the beneficent for
food And through the ranks of the famine
stricken Hindus stalks the specter of the
plague, adding to the terrors and dangers
of the situation. The American people
should be and doubtless are touched by the
appeal for aid in this wonderful work of
succor that England is performing They
should individually and not through their
national legislature pour forth their aims
as freely as they can afford. But no gift
should go to the sufferers grudgingly be-
cause of a doubt as to the thoroughness
or good faith of England's relief measures
or the sacrifices of the English people In
this cause.
Let the Indian famine be viewed by US
alone. apart from the Boer war. as it has
been viewed by England without reference
to that war. Let US be honest. too. in deal
ing with it. and give no heed to the queru-
lous cry of the pessimist who asks in en-
FILTERED. impatient tones, What Is Eng
land doing to succor these starving ones?'
Great Britain has risen admirably to this
emergency, and one has no need to be an
Anglomaniac to appreciate in d spirit OF
decent fairness the high quality of her
Indian relief work.