The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-02-08

quantities to be Of much service can be
expected before June, and no harvest before
autumn
The Tribune submits Mr.. Larkin's appeal
for the consideration of the charitably in
clined, but We do not feed like opening an
India famine relief fund and bringing any
special pressure to bear upon the people
of the United States to contribute to it.
For we have troubles Of our own. 1t is
not long since President Mckinley issued
an appeal for help to the starving in Cuba.
The situation in Cuba has since been miti-
said to be thousands In Puerto Rico needing
relief We are engaged in an expensive
operation for the regeneration of the Philip
pine islands. A. result of the destruction
of war, many there will be in need of help.
and our war taxes will have to be paid Tor
many years to come.
The United States and the people of the
United States will look after their own poor
and needy, and Great Britain must look after
hers. Great Britain has been regnant in
India for 300 years and has drained the land
of fabulous riches. Even now, in the midst
OF famine, Lord Curzon, vice regent, is hold
ing a court of regal splendor and using up
millions OF the Indian revenue in vain
pageantry and fashionable display. In all
the time that the English have been in India
it would seem that wise system of admin
istration would have prevented these recur-
ring fa1hines.
AS an instance showing that something is
wrong, we may state that some districts of
India are actually exporting wheat and thus
depressing the price of the cereal grown by
American farmers, while other districts of
India are suffering from famine. Why not
at least keep all the food grown in India to
feed the home population?
The responsibility for the we'll being OF
India is upon Great Britain and Great Brit
ain Is rich enough to furnish the needed
relief Mr.. Larkin says that IS will keep a
family of five persons alive for a month.
What vast number of families Queen Vic
toria. the prince Of Wales and the other
members of the royal family, who are draw
ing large incomes from the public treasury.
might keep alive out of their surplus II
the case is SO urgent in India let the thou
sands OF Britons enjoying enormous incomes
curtail their fashionable expenditures and
furnish the funds needed for famine relief.
With war in South Africa and famine in
India it Is time for self-denial in British
society. for an abandonment of all frivolity
until the situation improves, and for the
appropriation Of everything beyond a COM
Portable competency to the relief of uneir
own unfortunate.
We would not dissuade any American from
contributing to the India famine relief, but
we do not hesitate to say the first duty Of
relief rests upon the nation which holds In
da in vassalage.
1t seems to us that famines pre-
suppose disagreement. While it is
true that droughts or excessive rainfall
may destroy growing crops, yet if the
people have had fair opportunity to
retain the fruits of their own industry
during the years when the crops we're
good, adverse conditions for year, or
two would not bring them to starva-
ton. But when they are robbed and
plundered to the verge of bankruptcy,
the failure of the crops for a single
year brings millions of them to the most
horrible of deaths.
The government of the United States
is by no means perfect, but if the crops
failed us for year or two all over the
country, while there would be much
bankruptcy and suffering, very few
would perish for want of food The
community would live upon it's accumu
lated resources as bear does on it's fat
in the winter time.
The riot and extravaganza of the rich
is represented in the restitution and
misery of the poor; and eventually in
the death of millions. Our prolific
mother, the earth, is able to feed all her
children if the selfishness and folly of
the few did not grab the sustenance of
the many.
Look sharp, good people of America,
that steadily advancing civil misgovern-
ment does not bring you to the Hindoo
conditions. Id.