New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-25
AN APPEAL FOR INDIA.
MOVEMENT TO RELIEVE FAMINE SUF-
FERERS STARTED BY DELEGATES
TO THE CONFERENCE.
EVE FAMINE SUF-

The Indian delegates to the Ecumencal Con-
ference on Foreign Missions last night made the
following appeal to the American public in be-
half Of the famine sufferers in India:
We, the undersigned, Indian missionaries present
In NewYork. desire to add to the testimonials
the press our confirmation, founded on personal
knowledge and experience, Of the unparalleled and
ton in India, A calamity overwhelming in its
vastness, so appalling in the suffering II aiicts
member of the family Of nations We many of us
bear In grateful memory. do our Indian brothers
and sisters. the relief which American generosity
India in the famine of 1881 In the far more awful
visitation which the mysterious Providence of God
turn to the United States, to the renewed and en-
arged bounty. for all that enlightened humane
and wealthy Nation do TO aid her stricken
and starving, her poor and patient sister
British Government in India Is doing all that any
Government on earth could do, and has saved the
persons by direct Government aid 1t is achieving
greater work Of rescue than any Government has
With skill derived from the carefully garnered
experience of previous famine campaigns, with an
unstinted expenditure of money and heroic outlay
Of British energies and lives It IS doing all that
there IS Il vast area in which private rnunifcence
can effect what governmental Interference cannot
humane heart the wide world over
The people of Britain, burdened just now with
their wide empire, are yet doing. and doubtless viii
continue TO do. much to send help their Indian
dependen2y. But after all that any nation
effect; there rema ms In this appalling calamity
brotherhood of nations can hope to relieve Criti.
cism of Indian administration. indulgence of po-
and responsibilities must surely be swept aside
when scores Of millions are in actual suffering.
when hundreds of thousands in daily peril of
dying; A nation whose ears open to the
brotherhood of man can at such moment have
no thought but that of instant and rescue;
and we solemniy appeal to this Nation in all it's
States and cities, for great and sustained hu-
manitsrlan effort IN relief Of the Indian famine
and adequate 20 the appalling need.
The appeal signed lest night by all the.
delegates at the Conference from India. The
action taken by the Indian delegates was the
result Of a movement started Monday night
at the Central Presbyterian Church the Rev
DR.. z. w. Parker Methodist, presiding when
the Rev. L. r. Scudder the Rev. Mr.. Smith the
Rev. Mr.. Brock. the Rev. L. 3. Wolf and the
Rev. ]. Wilkie. all of India were appointed to
suggest plan for aiding in relief work in India
1t was decided yesterday afternoon at the Cen
trail Presbyterian Church to have this commit
tee. with Mr.. Hobbs added wait on public
spirited citizens Of this city and enlist their sup
port in making the relief movement general ,
1t Is expected that public spirited citizens will
respond to the appeal, that treasurer and sec
retary will be appointed, and that the appeal
for subscriptions will be made general through /
out the United States. Probably some well /
known Wall Street banking house will he asked /
to become financial agent to handle and for /!
ward the money as fast as il is turned in.
The Executive Committee of the Conference
has practically -erranged for a meeting be- 4.
half of the famine stricken. Mr.. Grant. Of the
committee said yesterday that the meeting
might be called for Sunday A definite state
ment in regard TO 1t will be made to-day
The Indian delegates have decided to ask the
Executive Committee of the Conference to take P
up collection at the Conference for the suf- .
ferers
DR.. Parker referred just before the close OF
the meeting, to the summary action taken by
the Viceroy of India in dsmissing twelve British +
officers and soldiers from the service in Burmah .
on accoun. of their connection with the assault .
upon a Burmese woman. saying that il the
most creditable and heroic action yet taken by
the Viceroy, and that would endear him TO
right thinking people all over the world He .
said that 1t showed that the British Govern
ment determined to protect the natives of .
Burmah and India in their civil and religious +
rights The Doctors words greeted with .
great applause.
There considerable discussion the .
propriety of sending corn to the famine suffer
ers many urging that money was about the only .
thing that could do any good Some of the .
older missionaries. DR. Parker among the rest.
said that sent in 1897 had been of the .
greatest assistance in allevating the starvation.
and many touching stories told of the good .
that American corn had done at that time. II {
was decided to welcome all measures of relief,
corn included !