New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-18
DISTRESS IN INDIA INCREASING.
EXPLANATION MADE OF CABLE MESSAGE RE
CEIvED FROM BOMBAY.

EXPLANATION MADE OF CABLE MESSAGE RE-
CEIvED FROM BOMBAY
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The cable dispatch published in Thursdays
papers from DR.. Robert A Hume, executive secre-
tary of the Americo-Indian Relief Committee Bonn
bay. contains points of interest fuller explana-
ton Of which may be useful those who are
helping In the OF India's relief. The cable
dispatch is follows:
Bombay, June 1S.-Americo-Indian Relief Com
mttee formed Money used chiefly for four objects:
Rescue of orphaned children, aid to pershIng farm
delayed; Anxiety and distress still Increasing
ROBERT A HUME. Executive Secretary.
In ordinary years the monsoon rain strikes Bonn
bay about June TO- The statement that it is de-
layed doubtless means that it has not yet reached
the western coast OF Southern India There IS
therefore. means OF calculating when the
parched famine will get relief. With water
supply rapidly falling, the hand, and the
create condition of famine Of water and food
that would be terrible beyond all description the
anxiety felt be easily understood Natu-
rally distress is increasing. Resources vanish
ing, the helpless become still more helpless and
aid from every land becomes daily more imperative.
The objects to which the Americo-Indian Relief
Committee suggest special attention among
the most important AS starvation and cholera are
doing their terrible work. the number OF orphaned
children greatly increasing and in utter help
essness parents are more than ever deserving their
children A missionary among the hill tribes Of
Gajarat writes OF finding in his daily little
children wandering in the fields. weak and ready
to drop. and famished dogs waiting for their hor-
rible food Of human flesh. He says: More Bills
have literally gone TO the dogs than I dare TO
think" Among the probably million and half OF
children being gratuitously fed at Government re-
lief camps. tens Of thousands likely TO out
to be orphaned or deserted little ones. To rescue
the pershing children found IN the fields along
the highways. where they may be lying down to
die. is a charity that appeals very tenderIy to the
human heart.
The farms must have aid. them depends
the prosperity Of the people next year. Their cat
tie mostly dead-SO per cent in many regions
and ploughing will have TO be done by hand Seed
and means of procuring food until the harvest will
have to be supplied
The need Of clothing will be better understood
when II is remembered that The people wear but
one cotton cloth. which has not been added
during these months of famine. The condition OF
the women is especially deplorable. During the
rains blankets for protection are absolute neces
sity and without them great will be the added
suffering and loss of life. WoOllen blankets such
IS they are, cost but so cents each.
Village relief means system OF providing help
to those who are struggling on in their villages
be dependent charity relief
camps. AS the monsoon approaches the farmers
should be back in their villages. and therefore IT IS
there that help is most important for them and for
the whole community JUSTIN +. ABBOTT
New York, June 10. 1900.