FAMINE IN THE EAST.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 211, 11 February 1875, Page 3

FAMINE IN THE EAST.

The Levant Herald of December 18th publishes distressing accounts of the famine in Asia Minor. The prospect is represented as appalling. The visitation of famine which came upon the people of Angora, in Vsiatie Turkey, tome f-w month* since, and which then pressed so heavily on the impoverished population of that once famoumaiket place, was temporarily relieved by Government aid and the charity of foreigners. Its effects remained, notwithstanding. Tinpoverty of the people has been gradually extending, until now we have the fact that grim want, followed by disease and death, Ins invaded the wretched homes of those who inhabit the poverty-stricken territory which is known as Anatolia—the western extremity of Asia, and in its most extended application, identical with Asia Minor. The country inc'udes six Turkish pashalics. Anatolia is included between the thirtysixth and forty-second parallels of north latitude, and between the twenty-sixth and forty-first meridians of east longitude. The Ottoman Turks constitute about nine-tenths of the population. There are many Greeks, Israelites, Armenians, Koords, and some few Zingari. Agriculture, as a practical art, Is wholly unknown. The principal industry of the people consists in growing crops for wine and oil, and in weaving carpets and shawls. The countiy was known to the Homans, and so well that they traversed it in every direction. Of late years its material resources have almost entirely disappeared under the combined influence of a heavy imperialist taxation, and the peculations of a host of greedy officials. The present famine has already been reported to the outside world. An English gentleman who had just returned to Constantinople from Asia Minor, writing on the 16th November, speaks of the calamity in the following words;—“The need of helpcontinues to he great. At Angora 3000 persons are dependant for their daily bread on charity. The Governor of the place is doing his utmost, and deals out some three-quarters of a pound of flour daily to each of these poor people out of supplies which reach him. The vineyards of the district are laden with fruit, but as there was no one to gather it it was rotting away. Cold has already set in, and as the winter advances the want of means wherewith to procure fuel will make itself felt. Portions of Galatia are high uplands and the cold in those districts is severe in winter. The poverty of the people is greater after so long a period of farrrne. Touching incidents have been related to me which reveal the mis-ry which prevails in those regions better than any laboured account of it. An English friend, who had occasion to travel through the country during the summer, met two children, a boy of nine, with his sister, about four, trying in their simplicity to make their way down to Smyrna, where they had relatives, in order to flee from the land of death. The same friend, when relieving a hungry crowd, heard a Moslem woman exclaim, ‘ That is the kind of infidel I should wish for my father.’ Another English friend, who had distinguished himself for his efforts for the famine distress, has had his feet kissed again and again by the objects of his kindness.”