New-York tribune., 1902-12-22
FAMINE IN FINLAND.
Failure Of Crops Threatens Vide
spread Disaster.

ST. Petersburg, Dec. 21.-The average grain
crop gathered In Finland is valued at $3OO00,-
600. The estimated value of the 1902 crop is
S20O00,O00. While this loss is generally distrib-
uted throughout Finland, 1t is almost total in
tie northern third of the country. where are
the provinces of Uleaborg Kuopo, Basa, St.
Michel and portions Of Viborg. Peas and beans
generally have failed, and the potato crop has not
been gathered; the hay has rotted or been swept
away by floods. The disaster is due to the late
spring, the nearly continuous chilly rains and
the early frost, which recorded August lo-
In the north there have been only half dozen
days when it did not rain. The rains also spoiled
the fishing. So complete was the failure of
vegetation that dead birds by the hundred
have been found in the forests. The present
crop failure is the worst that has been expert
enced for the last fifty years. 1t is hoped how
ever, that better methods of communication Will
facilitate the work of relief and avoid wholesale
deaths by hunger and typhus
There are all told about 500 parishes in Fin
land: 194 of these parishes now nearly des-
titute The Agricultural Board has received
reports from 14O of the 1914 parishes showing
that 106 have food supplies which will suffice
them until Christmas only. The unripe rye and
barley which the people are forced to use make
a bitter bread which the hungry horses refuse
to eat In some parts OF the country bread IS
baked from barley husks and straw, mixed with
little -four. This product is purchased by the
needy people with their boarded savings. Such
bread contains very little nutrition and is ex-
tremely unwholesome- The peasants have ex-
pended all their money for iour and are conse-
quently unable to buy clothing.
The danger of famine realized early
by the public. Count Bobriokof. Governor Gen
eral of Finland. issued an appeal for help in
Russia. voluntary relief committee was or
ganized by Finlanders. with branches throughout
the country. The Anglo American church here
is affiliated with this committee. The Senate
has decided to construct public works at
expenditure of S375o00 and II has allotted
$500,000 for the purchase of grain. which will
be sold TO the people at cost Seventy-five thou
sand dollars Will be used 10 encourage cottage
industries The provinces and certain cities of
Finland have voted various for relief
work amounting in ali to $500 600. The vol
untary relief committee has received $4,000,
but II is understood that all of this sum has been
already expended. The Rev. Mr.. Kllburn OF
St Petersburg. has just returned from a siedge
journey throughout Kuopio Province. He found
1900 school children who were in need OF food.
OF this number ,155 We're wholly destitute. 1t
is estimated that 100000 will be without food
after Christmas Business in Finland is suffer
ing in sympathy with the extreme conditions.
but no failures have yet been recorded. The
banks have not raised the rate of discount
Emigration from Finland is increasing con-
stantly. Up to November II, 20 155 persons had
left the country this year via Hango, while un-
known numbers of Finlanders have crossed the
Gulf of Bothnia to Sweden and have taken
passage from there. The effects of the crop
failure emigration, however. will be felt more
strongly in 1903.
The Russian Government has drawn UP
comprehensive plan for feeding the people who
are to-day in a state of semi-starvation as a
result Of crop failures and generally relieving
the distress which is at present widespread
throughout ten governments of European Rus
sia and some districts of Siberia. The of
500 has already been expended in relief
work. but further great sums will be necessary
to support the populace of the afflicted dis
tricts and enable them TO resume farming in the
SprinR