New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-04
FAR WORSE THAN PICTURED.
THE REV. Mr.. HUME. FROM STARVING IN
Ola. DESCRIBES CONDITIONS THERE.

THE REV. Mr.. HUME, FROM STARVING IN
Ola. DESCRIBES CONDITIONS THERE.
The Rev. Edward s Hume a missionary OF tho
American Board who has seen twenty-five years
of service in Bombay. arrived last week direct from
India Mr. Hume has been connected with the
Bombay branch of the India Famine CharitabIe
Relief Fund and secretary of the Interde-
nominational Missionary Relief Committee.
Speaking before the Executive COMMITTEES Of the
Committee of One Hundred India Famine Re-
lief at its last meeting. held at the Chamber Of
Commerce. Mr.. Hume said:
=, have read the accounts OF the famine published
have seen the conditions in the famine districts.
ured. And the worst of it is that even If the Juns
pected till the crop is gathered in October l no
tce cablegrams TO the effect that rains have fallen
famine question. Mysore is on the extreme edge Of
there is practically equivalent 10 reporting
rains at Chicago when there is a drouth in New
York
The distress is not equal over the famine area
coni5iN wcTSs SeIea as IN Cju{arat END RaIp9taP
fore leaving India visited the Government relief
saw those awful sights that photographs are max
ing familiar 10 people here The emaeiated lay
day, for they were too far gone for food % save
dead being gathered daily from the living and
Magnificent work of relief is being carried on BY
i Inc government now has on relief abou. six mil
before conceived, let alone carried out
abebodied men and women are employed. on cash
wages in building reservoirs and digging wells and
not only saves from starvation an enormous multi
%itaGn, PaupeTzing them bur Il is also in the
famines by drouth- To the credit of the Govern
systems OF enormous magnitude have been com
P Pie d IN the past decadeS PGay hoWever are
Iail for one two and in some places even for three
years
Distress is greatest in the native States where
on account of their independence. British control
ferent 10 human life. There SSS native States
th SIZE a ron OF 1 {nt OF an American county 70
are in the famine district and about half OF these
are in the Bombay Presidency. knowing OF the
better conditions prevailing in territories under fun
control e OF the GOVERNMENT Of India, mulritudes
Hock there from the native States and thus add TO
the problem the Government has 10 deal with
cause they are Composer largely OF native States
In the former. before left. more than million
three hundred thousand Even under the most
main untitled for want Of work caftie The Gov
eminent is dealing largely with this question in
preparing for the importation of cattle and BY
providing light hand ploughs. TIL rains come and
grass springs up, the question of fodder for beasts
Seed corn must be furnished so that the fields may
In the native States particularly are the mis-
slonaries; both American and European, doing he
men and women rescuers in the field The extent Of
their work depends wholly on the means furnished
.. ThsTe Is rally vast number Of Orphans and de-
nave taken more than a thousand. The Marathi
Mission, 10 which belong, has its list several
hundred, and is planning for than thou
sand. Those cared for in the famine OF 1897
turning out to be children Of great promise The
natives also. as never before, have organized IN
situations for receiving these children.
As soon the rains, due this month set in fields
Will be planted and the harvest may be expected
In October but till then, at the best constant aid
Is imperative. A second monsoon from the North
east should come in October. This furnishes the
rain for the second crop. which is reaped In Janu-
AIRY and February.
AS regards avenues OF distribution The great
private benefcenCe OF Britain is MANAGED by the
India Famine Charitable Relief Fund OF Calcutta.
or which Sir Francis Maclean, Chief Justice OF Ben
gal, is chairman. This fund. while noa-gOvern-
mental Is for efficienCy's sake under the airnins-
tration of Government officials who know the needs
OF the districts and thus overlapping is prevented
Through this fund the people receive such forms
of relief could not be properly provided BY
means of Government moneys There is no wiser
or more effective way in which a large scale
that fund could be administered The people may
not be able 10 distinguish IL from purely govern
mental help, nevertheless IL represents 10 them the
side OF the Government. Missionary
relief is supplementary TO official relief bur the
Government recognizes that missionaries are
among the wisest of its alnoners