Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-05
MISERY IN CARACAS
RESULT OF THE WAR IN vENE-
ZUELA.
Minister Bowen Transmits an Appeal
in Behalf of the Poor and Dis
tressed of That City.

United States Minister Bowen at Caracas,
Venezuela. has forwarded TO the State De-
partment. under date of August "A, plain
tive plea for the poor in that capital, who
are suffering untold misery as the result of
the protracted war now in progress. The
special plea is made by Rev. T. s. Pond,
the senior American missionary in Caracas,
and Mr.. Bowen has undertaken gladly to
receive any contributions that may be sent
from America II his legation. He says
that Mr.. Pond does not propose to give
money to the poor. but only provisions that
are cooked under his supervision. He
needs, according to Mr.. Bowen. $1,000, but
could easily five times that amount
without wasting a cent.
The Missionary's Appeal.
The ministers appeal is as follows:
AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN MISSION,
CARACAS. Venezuela. August %. 1902.
To the Hon. Herbert w. Bowen:
Permit me to present the following state
ment of facts. no. as being in any sense
unknown to yourself, but as affording a
ground for suggestion. This am the more
emboldened to make, not only because of
the CLAIMANT need of the poor on every
hand, but by the fact that yourself and
Mrs. Bowen for weeks have laid your hands
to the work Of Your hearts. feeding daily a
hundred and more of the destitute women
and children. most of whom can gain not
a morSel more.
After a residence of five years in this
city l am compelled to say with all empha-
sis that never in any circumstances Of war
or of peace have known anything to COM
pare with the widespread and hopeless pow
erty of the present.
This is largely due to the utter paralysis
of capital enterprises, foreign and domestic,
since the present civil conflict began, four
years ago. Certainly the rural districts are
in sfatA of n
stripped bare. the result of the frequent
acquisitions" for provisions and supplies
made by the troops of both government and
revolution. The actually starving are rap
idly invading the city III the hope of OBJ
tanning something to do. or at least some
thing to eat.
But what will the city soon suffer when
already the majority row here can with
dlhicutty get proper amount of food of
any kind?
The General Distress
At least half the families of this city can
gain only one fair meal a day. Hundreds
cannot obtain even that and the price of
all necessities OF life Is very high, and ris-
ing still. owing to war panic and the pro-
longed hostilities.
These now show TO indications of speedy
end. As is well known, even after the pos
slble cessation of operations in the field
months must elapse in the effort to resume
The distress is the result of the feuds
among the political leaders and may seem
unJuStlfiable. but the leaders do not suffer
hunger and all Of its ills. The innocent
non-combatants are the real victims whom
we would relieve" What is to become of the
homeless, the widows and orphans now
found everywhere in the land? Is 1t not
time to place the facts before the benevo-
lent of our land. that some relief for these
starving multitudes may be- obtained? TIC
save man from starvation Is cents per day
Is needed. but there are thousands who
must have that or its equivalent, else they
Will succumb to the inevitable. In view OF
the foregoing facts and considera lions
would propose that our mission make an
appeal to the American public for funds
to be given as, food TO the individuals in
need.
In view of your own experience and judg-
ment. would You second and indorse such
appeal. and would You receive any contri-
buttons that might be sent to your care?
Very respectfully yours lii the cause OF
humanity iSigned) T. S. POND.