Durango semi-weekly herald. (Durango, Colo.) 1899-1907, 1906-08-20
nalyze them to determine their food

his accomplished, the government
and leaves and directing them In the
preparation d food from acorns. The
poisonous plants were described and
food values demonstrated.
Probably the world has seen no
more practical benefit Of cooking
where they delivered lectures to the
people. pointing out the suitable roots
corresponds to the woman's club
rooms in Japanese villages. listening
to the demonstrators.
And the practical purpose was full
ly served. As result OF the analy-
schools or demonstrations of pure
food products and hygienic prepare
ton thereof than was here afforded.
A gastronomic school transferred to
land Of barrenness. with famine
stricken classes gathered in whatever
SEES. some foods were interdicted and
others recommended. In few
weeks contributions began to arrive.
furnishing more nourishing food.
Previous famines in Japan had
been marked by large mortality, due
to intestinal disorders as the result
Of bad food. Profting by the expert
ence of her surgeons In the late war.
the Japanese government sent
trained corps to the famine region.
and careful survey was kept upon
the hygiene of the people. There
was no outbreak of dysentery, no
pest of any kind. The people were
taught how to live, and the results
were assured. No other country, 1t
is declared by experts, could have
handled a famine SO successfully as
Japan. The abiding faith of the peo-
pie in the government smoothed the
way for the great reforms which the
government executed while dealing
with the famine.
Notable among those reforms un-
der government paternalism was the
Inaugurating OF new scheme OF az
ricultural development. The govern
ment turned farmer. In distributing
its relief funds 1t required the filling
of all land. Laborers were put into
fields which had been barren for two
years, and they were cultivated and
made ready for a rice crop. There
was no conflscation. The government
was looking to the prosperity OF Its
people. and after filling the ground
and putting In the crop turned 1t
over to the owner and said: Here
is your farm ready to produce. See
to 1t that you make every effort to
keep the ground titled. and pay back
In five years the cost of what the gov
eminent has DONE"
The government found many rice
| fields poorly laid out with much loss
of growing space. All these were re-
plotted with a regulation that each
| field was to be about one-fourth acre.
| II when surveyed 1t was found that
| farmer did not have the required
area, enough land was taken from his
| neighbors and the local officials es-
tablished the price to be paid for 1t.
This regulation is being enforced
gradually throughout the empire.
To the United States more than
any other country the people Of the
famine stricken region attribute their
relief. Out Of a total Of $4,000
gold that went to assist upward OF
half million people, 100000 was
contributed by citizens Of this coun-
try. This contribution arrived at
| least six weeks earlier than any 9th
err, and was known as "the United
States fund"
In the utilization of the funds and
supplies another striking characters
tic of Japanese paternalism was de-
veloped. The government set about
its work with the idea OF saving the
self-respect of the people and not
pauperizing them. In every village
headquarters were established and
food was given to last three days, but
in no instance did 1t exceed in
amount az cents In gold a day for
each person. No money was given.
Every man. woman and child was
looked after. A man was placed In
charge of each rs houses in the fam
inc region. and he was required to
see to 1t that his charges were prop
erly cared for. Each day he made re-
ports to his superior. and when
specially deserving case was recount
ed special care was directed to II.
The most potent influence of the
American relief committee under mis-
sionary auspices was exerted in the
saving of young girls, driven to des-
peration through suffering of their
parents. Human vultures were prey
Ing on these children OF misfortune.
Two orphanages were established
one at Sendal, where $50 girls were
cared for, and the other at Okayama,
where $50 orphans and poor children
were properly housed and fed. The
Salvation Aa7my did noble service in
this matter and was successful in