Mexico Missouri message., 1906-12-20
GREAT FAMINEs IN HISTORY
India Has Been Desolated Repeat
edly by Drought and
Bad Crops.

6au drops.
1t has been calculated that more
than 1000 persons starved to death
in Spain last summer. The famine
was due to the drought. Horrifying
as are these figures the Spanish NOR
tally occupies an unimportant place
in the record of the worlds. greatest
famines.
In the great famine In India in
1769-7O 100000 persons are supposed
to have persisted and 100000 died
in the famine of 1866. In 1873 the
rice crop in the district of Behar, in
northwestern Bengal, yielded only a
quarter of the average harvest, and
as 100000 persons were dependent
on this crop for sustenance the govern.
ment was obliged to make purchases
Of rice, chiefly in farther India. and
provide means of conveying it to the
distressed districts, including the
building Of railway 45 miles long.
For long time 100000 persons re-
ceived daily support, either in aims,
In work or in loans. This relief was
continued from October, 1873, till De-
cember, 1874 In this way the govern
ment expended $S2,000,0O0 Donations
also, amounting to over $1,000, 900,
were contributed by private subscrlp-
ton.
In 1876 both Of the monsoons failed
to bring their due supply of rain and
the season Of 1877 was little better.
The consequences of this prolonged
drought, which extended from the
'Deccan to Cape Comurin and subse.
quently invaded northern India, were
more disastrous than any similar ca.
lamity up to that time since the pro-
duction of British rule. Notwithstand-
Ing the uUparal leled importations Of
grain by sea and rail and despite the
most strenuous exertions of the govern
ment, which expended about S55, 00O.-
600 for the purpose, the loss of life
from actual starvation and its attend
ant train Of diseases was great. The
total number of deaths from disease
and want in the distressed tracts in
excess of the normal mortality for
two years 1S76-7S, is estimated to have
raised the death rate by 40 per cent,
or 5,250,00O.
Great famines have occurred in Per.
STA in recent years, and Russia has
had many during the last century,
but the most terrible famine in recent
times was the Irish famine Of 1845-47.
It was caused by the loss of the potato
crop. Ireland had at that time a pop
ulation of about 100000 and it was
largely dependent upon the potato
crop.
The crop Of 1S45 was a partial fall
ure and the peasantry, who had no sur.
plus food of former harvests to fall
back upon, were compelled to take
clothing and household furniture to
the pawnshops to purchase food and
seed for the next harvest. Unfor.
tunately the crop of 1886 was a total
failure and absolute ruin and starya.
ton threatened the whole population.
The government was slow In taking
adequate relief measures and great
numbers died for want Of food and
from disease caused by hack of proper
snstenAnce
Several million dollars were raised
by private subscription and the gov
eminent contracted loan OF 100000
600 to supply the wants Of the suffer.
ing people. When the full extent OF
the calamity was realized the British
government and people did everything
possible, and large sums Of money and
shipIoads OF provisions were sent from
this country. AT one time 5000 900
Of the Irish people were receiving ra-
lions. A million and a half Of people
died Of starvation or disease.
The Indian famine OF 1s96,s7 was
the most severe ever known In that
famine-aiiiicted country The great
famine Of 1877 affected $4,000 square
miles ana $4,000 900 persons. That Of
1897 affected $4,000 square miles and
es,000io00 persons The highest mum.
Der receiving relief IN 1877 was s.J7s,.
900, while Ia 1887 more than 4.50O.cOd
we're being aided during the month d
June