The evening times., 1900-06-14
INDIA'S FAMINE HORROR.
Returned Missionary Describes the
Suffering of Natives.

BALTIMORE, June 14--Rey. Justin E.
Abbott. who for the last eighteen years
has been a missionary in Bombay. India.
in connection with the American Board Of
Foreign Missions. is In this city. He came
to Baltimore to assist in carrying out some
OF the details OF the work OF the Baltimore
committee Of 100 on India famine relief He
had experience in famine relief in 1891,
and has been kept in touch with the pres
ent needs of India by constant correspond
ence with those engaged in relief work Nh
Abbott is an American, but has been in
India for thirty years. having gone there
when a child.
In speaking Of the conditions in India he
said:
THE famine has been in existence FOR
eight months and has been getting worse
each month Streams and wells have been
gradually drying up Whole villages have,
in many cases. been entirely deserted be-
cause OF the failure OF the water supply.
In many large cities water is bought by
the gallon and the poor have 70 wait and
fight for hours for few drops. Cattle IN
thousands have died Of thirst as well as
hunger Irrigation has amounted 70 lit
tie. The whole famine area is packed
desert on which the sun pours down ter
rible heat. The leaves Of the trees have
been stripped OF 10 supply fodder for the
starving cattle. thus increasing the desc
late aspect Of the land
The system Of relief carried on BY the
Government Of India Is very complete and
effective in preventing death from starya-
ton. but the native states. with some no
BILE exceptions. seem 10 care but little for
the poor who suffer in their midst. The
work Of relief is On an immense scale but
VII hpz
only partly relieved
The Government OF India deserves the
thanks OF the world for its efforts 10 save
| Ife-eff0rts that are on q scale never be-
/ fore attempted in the history OF the world
/ The native press OF India which is as free
I as that of America to criticise the Govern
/ ment. bears testimony 10 the noble efforts
that are being put forth 20 savesthe lives
\ OF the millions Of the poor The difleul-
! ties Of the Government are very great due
/ to the ignorance and superstition OF many.
| especially Of the Wild tribes. and because
! OF caste pride Many prefer TO de rather
1 than be paupers at the relief camps.
Deaths BY starvation in British terri
. tory are due not TO insufficient help from
| the Government. but because the people
do rot promptly make use Of their Oppor-
/ tunities Thousands. when too late. make
4 their way from their homes 10 the relief
I camps and either die on the way or perish
/ at the camps, possibly from the eating OF
food which they have not the strength 70
I digest.
i have noticed in some papers that the
f. Government OF India is criticised Tor not
se.1ing grain. feeding the hungry. aad set
/ tling~with the merchants afterward. Such
/ arbitrary action would. however, so upset
| the grain trade that the difficulties Of the
! situation would be intensified. The de-
cisiOn Of the Government not to interfere
! with the gram trade is universally coasid-
! cred IN India the wisest method. and x
I has resulted in the equalizing OF prices
I over the famine area. II has stimulated
/ trade and millions of bushels OF the cheap
er grain are being poured into the famine
I area from parts OF india where crops are
good. and from Burmah and other ands.
/ Importation OF grain is thus very active" "