The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-03-31
FAMINE STRICKEN JAPAN.
More Than Quarter Of a Million PEG.
Pile on the Verge Of Starvation.

More Than a Quarter Of 4 Million PEG.
ple on the Verge Of Starvation.
Two letters from Japan have lately
been received by the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith, one from
Father Marnas dated from Senday, in
the heart of the famine district, and
the other from the Bishop of Hakodate,
who is now in Europe gathering aims
and whose diocese comprises the three
afflicted provinces.
"Three districts in Northern Japan
Iwatc, Nyaggi and Fukushina, COM
prising III all population of 1891, 1897
Inhabitants, have been made desolate
by the most cruel famine experienced
in the last sixty years.
1.-The calamity is such, especially in
Myaggi, that 4 local paper goes so
fur us to say that the sentence of
death has been passed on the people
of the district. words strictly true IL
the writer has said '0n One-third Of
the population In fact, out of pop
ulation OF 100000, ut least 100000 are
reduced to the last straits, and have
no means of subsistence If help does
not soon reach them.
THE official returns will give some
idea Of the present misery to which
hundreds of thousands ere exposed
a condition which. unless relieved.
must continue through the spring and
summer until the new harvest.
1.-The district Of MyagSi is by far the
most severely afflicted. The usual rice
harvest here yields about 100000
yens "a yen is about fifty cents). This
year it yielded only about IL per cent
Of this return. This means Il loss Of
more than 100000 ycns. and is in
deed the sentence of death hanging
over the heads of Il quarter OF Il mil
lion people,"
The writer describes similar condi-
tons in Iwate and Fukushima. giving
statistics. and adds:
Already In these districts, thous-
ands are obliged to subsist on roots.
shrubs. ferns and bark to prolong. for
at least q time, their lives.
According to the most conservative
estimate. $4,000 persons are absolute
ly at the end of their resources. Under
these conditions, how can 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, can find no words to express our
feelings.
MANY readers will recall the famine
in the district Of Aomori three years
ago, and the generous aid which was
speedily sent from Yokohama, Toxic
and Shanghai. That calamity was due
to the loss Of half the customary har-
vest; the misfortune which has befal-
len these districts is at least four times
greater, and to complete the misery,
it comes just at the end OF Il war which,
has cost unheard-of sacrifices.
THE people Of Japan will certainly
! appreciate the corporation Of all who
will help to maintain their admirable
courage in the face of these awful
trials" /.
Bishop Berlioz OF Hakodatc adds to
this letter:
THE foreigners Of Senday, without
distinction Of creed, have formed a
committee to secure help. I have
learned with much satisfaction that
my Vicar General, Father Jacquet, has
been placed at the head Of this COM
| mittee, and certainly they could no,
have made Il better choice. The de-
| votion of this good priest, his self
denial, his learning, have won for him
the respect Of all classics, Christians
and non-C Christians alike"
These two letters tell their own
story and may help to awaken re.
Spouse in some of US. who up to the
present have not begun to realize The
necessities Of our fellowmen in the far
| away Island Empire. The Society fol-
| the Propagation Of the Faith publishes
these with this hope and urges those
who read these lines to subscribe some.
thing. II only q small amount, to relieve
the extreme need actually existing. OF.
fcrings may be forwarded to the Gen.
cral Director Of the Propagation of the
Faith. 627 Lexington avenue, New
York, n. Y,
| REV. JOSEPH FRERI.