Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-27
STALKS
THROUGH SPAIN
REPORTS OF SUFFERING ARE
HEARTRENDING
SITUATION MOST CRITICAL
Agriculture at StandstII In Districts
Where Population Depends Ex-
cIusiveIy on II, and Farmers
Fly to the Cities
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
SEVILLE Spain. Aug. 26.-Heart-
rending news continues to reach the
provincial authorities from the outly-
ing famine stricken districts. The
latest reports received are from Osuna
and Almongia, the respective mayors
of which notify the authorities that
their resources are exhausted and that
they are unable to further assist the
famished laborers and the women and
children, as the distress is too acute.
At Ejica 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 600 men, but this is mere drop
in the bucket of misery, as moderate
calculation shows that 100000 are out Of
employment.
Cardinal Sancha, having exhausted
the available 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 a por-
tion of their wages toward the relief
OF the destitute.
Count Romanones, minister of agri-
sulture, has just concluded an exhaust
i've personal inquiry In the distressed
districts, following on the relief fund
of sSO0,OO0 voted by the government.
His report creates the impression that
heroic measures for relief are essential
The count journeyed from end to end OF
Andalusia, and everywhere in the four
provinces comprised therein he was
confronted with pictures of desolation.
The territory most stricken forms a
circle embracing Seville, Jerez, Cadiz.
Malaga and Cordova. where natural
forces appear to have combined against
the peoples welfare.
DestitutIon Follows Drought
The rivers for years past have been
gradually filing with sand, preventing
navigation and hindering commerce.
The district always has been dry. but
this year a two months drought, begin
ming in the spring, destroyed all hopes
for the reaping of crops and rendered
the landscape practically desert, re-
sembling portions of Morocco. The
population is almost entirely composed
of day laborers who depend on agricul-
tural employment, and when that fails,
which is frequent occurrence, though
more marked this year than ever be-
fore. practically everybody is thrown
into a condition of indigence.
It is calculated that third of the
population emigrated in recent years
to South America and these emigrants
naturally included the most robust.
The conditions of the remainder. how
ever was 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 un-
fulfilled electioneerlng promises, added
to the fact that women and children
are suffering the agonies Of slow star
walton. have led the people to listen to
agitators, who incite them to violence.
the result of which is seen in attacks
on farms, the seizure and killing of
hocks Of sheep and the threat of armed
Invasion OF the towns.
Murmurs of revolution have awak
ened apprehension and the farmers
everywhere are taking refuge in the
cities, while the police regard acts Of
pillage with indifference, refusing to
arrest men who help themselves in
order to obtain food.