The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-04-03
A HORRIBLE FAMINE
IN RUSSIA.

1t extends over tWenty-One PROVING
es, embracing al area of abou a mil
lion and a half square miles or half
the territorial extent of the United
States.
Within this area is a population of
80, 900 900. practically all of whom are
dependent upon outside assistance to
maintain life until the next harvest
The famine is the greatest and most
dreadful in the history of Russia. In
the famine of 1912, $4,000 persons
persisted in a single province. This
year., unless speedy assistance is rem
dered, the death list in that n pro-
vince will reach at least two hundred
thousand.
In the famine district agriculture
is the only occupation; when the
crops fail there is nothing TO which
the inhabitants can turn to gain a
livelihood.
In many provinces there was no
harvest whatever last year; wen the
seed put into the ground was lost.
The peasants have sold their horses
and cows and nave used the proceeds
to buy bread. They have consumed
the grain held for seed. Thus they
nave mortgaged their future by sacri-
ficing the means of future tillage in
order to maintain life at present. n
HOW llcN have eAudliSNSu SNCh lCoC
slender resources.
Decayed grain and even the seeds
of ~noxious weed nav been used in
the attempt to preserve life, result
ing in disease from these poisonous
products. Ever where help is now be-
ing given, the peasants are forced to
live on o~ne-ifteenth of the average
ration.
Families have been brought to such
sufferings that parents have sold their
daughters into slavery and degrade
ton in the harem and brothels of
Turkey in order to maintain life in
the remaining members of the family.
In many places lack of fuel has add
ed danger of death from cold to that
of death from hunger. In many vii
lagos part of the houses have beer
torn down to provide fuel for the in
habitants huddled together in the
homes still standing.
Outside assistance is absolutely
needed. 1t is the one means of relief
left. 1t is dictated by the demands
of humanity. To be effective it must
Immediately forthcoming. Five dol
lars will maintain the life of a resi-
lent of the famine districts until the
next harvest.
The Russian Famine Relief Commit
tee has been organized, with headquar
ters at 135 East 18th Street, New
York. Bishop Henry c. Potter is Pres
dent of the Committee Samuel j.. Bar
rows is the Secretary. All contribu-
tons. large or small, sent to the Sc
will be acknowledged and re
for by the Northern Trust
which is acting as treasur-
er of the und
All contributions received by the
- -srN ---I;Al ~ rDADI /
I'd in the most direct and effective
way. They will not be turned over
the Russian government.
President Roosevelt has endorsed
his movement and has personally con
to it. So have Governor
of New York and many pub
ic-spirited citizens. But to make the
'elief effective, public support must be
widespread.
The women of Russia in a letter
ust received by the Committee appeal
the women of America. A part of
heir letter is quoted below.
AT present the. temperature il this
-fllage is in the neighborhood of 20
below zero Fahrenheit. Many
If the peasants are living in holes
lug underground. They are almost
and they are without fuel. Their
God is a sort of bread made of ground
Icorns or other timetables, to which
rave been added a little rye meal.
scurvy n blindness, result !
ng from starvation are ON all sides
down grown people INT child
This is not a single village ;there
re thousands like it. and these thou
and of villages have no hopeNunless
lelp can come to them from the out
ide. Seventy-fve cents will keep an
idult alive for a month. 1t is bitter
o ask for aims; but it is still more
litter to look upon these ago1ies with
mpty hands"
FIVE DOLLARS WILL BE SUFF1-
IENT TO SAVE A HUMAN LIFE
F SENT AT ONCE
A J. Muzzy. wife and daughter came
ID from Carlsbad this morning and
1T this afternoon on the automobile