The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-10-13
THOUSANDS DIE
In RUSSIAN CITY
Terrible Condition Reported in Petro.
grad. VIII Grow Worse.

Terrible Condition Reported In Petro.
grad. VIII Grow Worse.
Paris, Oct. GA graphic eye wit
ness description Of the fearful condi-
ton existing in Petrograd is given by
the Finnish Red Cross in an appeal
Just issued to the Red Cross societies
Oh the world. 1t is accompanied by
documents prepared by Professor
Ieidler formerly head Of the Petro-
grad Red Cross, but now refugee in
Finland.
The document, which aeachcd the
Paris bureau Of the American Red
cross today, tells the story of the
agony of dying city. Pctrograd's
present population based on the food
cards, now is from 100000 to 600 600
ana the former capital of the czars is
described as having shrunk to one
fourth its pre-war size. The report
says in part:
Death stalks on every side, waiting
l0r winter to aid in the grim work or
moving down the silent, hungry, sick,
ana dying thousands. With streets
and houses chokcd with filth, that is
already spreading spotted and inter
'mittent typhus the cold weather will
ilnlsh the task with pneumonia and
abnormal typhus.
Ihe fuel situation was never SO bad
and wooden houses have been torn
down for fuel.
me wood yards have been nation
allied. One of them has given up en-
tirely to the manufacturers of 10000
collins monthly. But even this number
IS insufficient. People have not time
to bury the dead, and the bodies take
their turn, waiting several days.
Attempts to repair the streets have
lalicd because the wood blocks for
pavement have been stolen during ,bc
night for fuel
kerosene costs $50 rublcs a pound
There arc no candles. Most homes AFRO
IN darkness. There is no means OF
transporting things by waterway, be-
cause the bargcs were long since de-
molished for fuel.
"Workmcn receive a half pound OF
bread daily, and sometimes other food
is given The prices OF foodstuffs con
tinue to rise to incredible heights.
The mortality has reached start
ling rate owing to the lack of food and
unsanitary conditions Of houses and
streets
"Indcscribable dirt and filth is on
every side within tho houses. When
plumbing gets out of order it remains
unrepaircd. Whole houses became
hlthy from top 10 btotom and it be-
comes impossible to live in them.
There is no fuel, no hot water or
baths, no janitor, door keeper or scrv
ants for cleaning yards. streets, build
lhgs or for the removal Of garbage.
Petrograd is facing dreadful
phantom of cDidemics. Thousands arc
already dying every month of spotted.
abomnal and intermittent typhus. dys-
0h'SlJ' spanish nnuCnHa, SMALLPOX,
pulmonary diseases, hunger and cx-
haustion
The hospitals arc Ovcrilowing with
droopy Victims, mostly women, elderly
men and children.
The minister of health, apparently
realizing the seriousness of the situa-
ton. recently ordered the mobilization
or all physicians. regardless of age,
for the purpose Of combating epidemic
diseases. The moral breakdown Of the
population is we'll illustrated in the
hospitals. where there is no discipline
and no care OF patients.
Patients arc taken in the hospitals
without bath. If they wish to be
warm while in bed awaiting opera
ton they must bring their own blan-
kcts and furs with them. Both the pa
ticnts and the lower medical personnel
are engaged in sealing warm cover
ings."
POHIBITION LID SCREWED
DOWN IN NEW YORK CITY