Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-04-05
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Brief fmrt- ON The Russian Famine.
1t extends over twen,y.one pro vince,
embracing an area OF about Ii million
and a half square miles or half The
territorial extent Of the United States.
Within this area is a population OF
3o,0oo,0 60. practically all Of whom are
dependent upon outside stistance 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, GO,0O0 persons
pershed in a SINGLE province. This year
unless speedy assistance is rendered. the
list IN that one province will reach at
least two hdudred thousand.
In the famine district agriculture is
the only occupations; when the crops
fail there il nothing to which the iuhnb-
can IL to gain a livelihood.
10 many provinces there WAS no
harvest whatever last year; even the
seed put into the ground was lost. The
peasants have sold their horses and COWS
and have used the proceeds to buy
bread. They have consumed the grain
held FOR seed. Thus they have mort
gagged their future by sacrificing the
means of future tillage in orler to
maintain life at present, and now they
have exhausted even these slender
resources.
Decayed grain and even the seeds Of
rnVrprZ ty.a1a lyt -. I.z, .,-,l -, A..
attempt to preserve life, resulting il
disease from these poisonous products.
Even where help is now being given,
the peasants are forced to live Oh one.
fifteenth % the average ration,
Families have been brought to such
sutferngs that PARENTS have sold their
daughters into slavery and degradation
in the harerns aud bro,hels Of Turkey in
order 10 maintain hfe in the remaining
members Of the family.
In many places lack of fuel has added
danger Of death from cold tn that; Of
death from hunger. In many villages
part OF the houses have been torn down
to provide fuel for the inhabitants hud-
died together in the homes still stand.
ing.
Outside assistance Is absolutely need
ed. 1t is the one means OF relief left.
IL is dictated by the lie mands Of
humanity. To he effective it mus, hr
Immediately forthcoming. Five dollars
Will maintain the life oi a resident Of
the famine districts until the next
harvest
The Russian Famine Relief Commit
tee has been organized, with head.
quarters al l35 East 18th street. New
York. Bishop Henry G.. Potter is presi.
dent OF the committee. Samuel j.
BarroTs IL the r. cretary. All CONT
buttons, large or small, sent To the
secretary will he acknowledged and
receiptcd for 10y the Morton Trust Com
pany, which is acting rs treasurer OF the
fund.
All contributions received 10y the
committee viii bc applied and expended
in the most direct and effective way.
They will not be turned over to the
Russian government.
President Roosevelt has endorsed this
movement and has personally cOntri-
buted te it. So nave Governor Hughes
o! New York and many public.spiritcd
citizens. But to make the relief effect.
i've, public support must be widespread.
The women ~ Russia I'D q letter Just
received by the committee appeal to the
women of America. 4 part OF their
letter is quoted below.
AT present the temperature in this
village il III he neighborhOod OF twenty
degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Many
OF the peasants are living in holes dug
underground. They are almost naked
and shey are without fuel. Their food
Is "A sort oi bread made OF ground
acorns or other uneHtablee, to which
have been added added a little rye meal
Typhue, scurvy and blindness, resulting
from starvation are on oil sides striking
down gro"n up people and children.
This 10 not "A single village; there arc
thousands like il, and These thousands
oil villages have nc hope unless help can
come To them from the outside.
Sevcnty.liye ceEts will keep an adult
alive Tor n month II il bitter to asi
for nlmR, but it is still more bitter 10
look upon these ugonics with empty
hands"
l's..S .G-iI.- 81 4 -.