Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-01
SOCIETY TO AID
JAPAN'S FAMINE SUFFERERS

The Society for the Propagation of the
Faith. a Roman Catholic missionary organ
izstion. the American headquarters of
which are located in New York city, has
just issued an appeal for contributions for
the suffering districts of famine-stric<en
Japan The Catholic bishop of Hakodatc.
Japan, whose diocese comprises the three
most afflicted provinces, has gone to Eu-
rope to collect aims for his people, and let
tiers Just received In America from him and
from Rev. Father Marnas of Senday, Japan,
make appeal for aid and give a graphic
account of the suffering which has come
directly under their eyes.
Three districts in northern Japan, Iwate
Myaggi and Fukushima comprising in all
4 population of 2.s21 .s37 inhabitants. have
been made desolate by the most cruel
famine experienced in the last sixty years,
writes Father Marnas.
1.-The calamity is such, especially In
Myaggi, that local paper goes so far as
to say that the sentence of death has been
passed on the people of the district. words
strictly true If the writer had said of one
third of the population In fact, out of
population of 100000, at least $4,000 are
reduced to the last straits. and have no
means of subsistence if help does not soon
reach them.
1.-The official returns will give some Idea
of thousands are exposed-a condition
which. unless relieved, must continue
through the spring and summer, until the
new harvest.
X
THE district OF Myaggi is by far the
most severely afflicted. The usual rice
harvest here yields about 600 yens "a
yen is about 80 cents). This year it yielded
only about u per cent of this return. This
means a loss of more than 100000 yens,
and is indeed the sentence of death hang
Ing over the heads of quarter of mil
lion people. "
The writer describes similar conditions In
Iwate and Fukushma, giving statistics, and
adds:
Already in these districts thousands are
obliged to subsist on roots, shrubs, ferns
and bark to prolong, for at least a time,
their lives.
According to the most conservative esti-
mate, ESQ, 600 persons are absolutely at the
end of their resources Under these condi-
tons, how can l picture TO you the state
of the poor women and children? We who
live in the midst of this misery, which Is
growing worse daily, find no words TO
express our feelings
Many will recall the famine In the dis
trlct oil AOIn0rl three years ago, ana the
generous aid which was speedily sent from
Yokohama, Toxic and Shanghai. That
calamity was due to the loss of half the
customary harvest; the misfortune which
has befalIen these districts is at least four
times greater. and to complete the misery,
1t comes just at the end of war which has
cost unheard-of sacrifices.
1.-THE people of Japan Will certainly ap-
preciate the cooperation of all who will
help to maintain their admirable courage In
the face of these awful trials"
Bishop Berlioz of TIakodate adds to this
letter:
..The foreigners at Senday,- without dis
tinction of creed, have formed committee
10 secure help / have learned with much
satisfaction that my vicar general Father
Jacauet, has been placed at the head of
this committee and certainly they could
not have made better choice. The devo-
ton of this good priest, his self-denial. his
learning have won for him the respect of
all classes, Christians and non-Christians
alike"
Rev Joseph. Freri Is at the head of the
Society for the Propagation of the Eafth
In this country, located at 627 Lexington