The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-25
FAMINE CONDITIONS
IN NORTHERN SWEDEN
Vice Consul Peterson Declares They
Have Been Exaggerated.

August Peterson, vice consul IN Wash
ington from Sweden and Norway, says
the statements appearing recently in
American newspapers describing the
condition OF the people in the northern
provinces of Sweden. caused by last
years failure in crops, and the attitude
Of its government 10 bring relief to the
sufferers are erroneous and exaggerated.
He says:
a statement has just been received
from the central committee appointed
by the government for the purpose Of
rendering all possible aid 10 the suf-
ferers, and which has had exclusive
charge Of the reception and proper dis
tribution Of the various ana numerous
donations from the people at home and
abroad. and which have been paTticu-
larry generous from the United States.
The chief cause Of the crop failure
was owing to excessive cold rains. dam
ages from overflow or foundations and
early fTosts. This occurred chiefly in
the northern provinces. NoTr and Yes
terbotten. Angerm8nland- JentIand. Her
jedalen and in certain parts OF DalaTne
and VarmIaRd. These parts Of Sweden
are not essentially agricultural couu-
tries. its people relying principally upon
cattle or stock raising. The hay crop
was totally destroyed and this accounts
for the greatest part OF suffering which
has occurred. For the immediate relief
of the peop5s 10 these localities the gov
eminent, under whose sole control the
railroads are managed, ordered free
transport for all goods and products
rendered and donated, and, up to the
present time. some 5000 carloads have
been sent at an average expense Of from
$40 to $50 per carload. II is quite evil
dent that severe suffering would have
been experienced among these people
scattered sparsely over large area Of
what may, IN many instances. be prop
erIy called wilderness had not the gov
eminent rendered immediate aid AID
succor. AS it was. such suffering and
starvation as has been described IN
many American papers. have never taken
place In some OF the districts affected
the government allowed some 500. 600
trees TO be cut for the use Of the SUI
ferers to keep them warm.
The cash received by the committee
up to April 1 amounts TO about $24T.Se0,
of which $50, GOO has been contributed BY
the generous hearted native and Swed
ish- Americans. In addition to this,
about So, 600 has been contributed direct
to the local committees in the various
districts, The money thus received has
been judiciously distributed where it was
most needed. and where it would do the
greatest good for food and seed. For
the feeding and care OF some :. 600 chill
dren Of school age proper provisions
have been made. and in this connection
it must be stated that some fourteen
schools have been opened for manual
training in various branches Of manu-
faeture, and which have been received
with the greatest interest of the people.
Frequent inquiries are being made in
regard to future need Of assistance To
this the committee answers that at this
time 1t is impossible to estimate the ex
act amount which may be required, as
his depends upon the length of~the win
ter and many other circumstances which
cannot be foretold- From reports re-
ceived from the local committees Ii IS,
however, apparent that not less than
500, 900 viii be needed