New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-08-27
STARVATION In SPAIN.
FAMINE WIDESPREAD.
Agitators Incite Hungry Men to
Tiolence-Poice Indif erent.

Seville Spain Aug 26-Heartrending reports
continue to reach the provincial authorities from
the outlying famine stricken districts Inc
latest reports received are from Osuna and Al
mogia, the respective mayors OF Which INFORM
the authorities that their resources are ex-
hausted and that they unable to further
assist the fanished laborers and the women and
children as the distress is too acute
At Ecita the population has looted the bakers
stores.
The mortality among infants and aged persons
is attaining terrifying proportions and IN many
localities the working people are living on roots
The government has organized public works on
a small scale. employing about six hundred men.
but this is a drop IN the ocean OF misery
as a moderate calculation shows that 2oO.oOO are
out Of employment.
Cardinal Sancha, having exhausted the avail
able charitable funds. is going from house TO
house in Seville begging for contributions, while
the employees Of several banks and commercial
houses have decided TO devote portion of their
wages toward the relief Of the destitute
Count Romanones, Minister of Agriculture. has
just concluded exhaustive personal inquiry in
the distressed districts. following on the relief
fund of $4,000 voted by the government. His
report creates the impression that heroic
measures for relief are essential. The Count
everywhere In the four provinces comprised
therein he confronted with pictures of DESC
lation.
The territory most stricken forms a circle
bracing Seville, Jeres. Cadiz Malaga and Cor
dova. where natural forces appear TO have COM
bined against the peoples welfare. The rivers
for some years have been gradually filing with
sand, preventing navigation and hindering COM
merce. The district always has been dry, but
this year two months drouth. beginning in
the spring destroyed all hopes for the reaping OF
crops and left the landscape practically desert
resembling portions OF Morocco. The popula-
ton is almost entirely composed of day Iaborers
who depend on agricultural employment and
when that fails. which is q frequent occurrence
though more marked this year than ever before
practically everybody is thrown into a condition
of indulgence.
1t is calculated that third OF the population
has emigrated in recent years to South America
and these emigrants naturall-- included the
most robust. The condition of the remainder
however. not ameliorated thereby. The
soil, owing to lack of irrigation. is becoming
more and more unproductive and the patience
of the people is now nearly exhausted.
The absence of the landlords and unfuIfIIed
electioneertng- promises added 20 the fact that
women and children are suffering the agonies
OF slow starvation. have led the people TO listen
to agtators who melted them TO violence the
result of which is in attacks farms. the
seizure and killing Of fociys Of sheep and the
threat of armed nyasdon Of the towns
Murmurs of revolution have awakened appre-
tension and the farmers everywhere are taking
refuge IN the cities. while the police regard acts
of pillage with indifference, refusing to arrest
who frequently accuse themselves in order
obtain food.