and at the beginning of 1891 but little of the old supplies of grain was
left over. The harvest of 1891 was nearly a total failure throughout a
vast region in central Russia extending from Moscow, roughly speaking,
say, three hundred miles in a northeasterly direction over a plain eight
hundred to a thousand miles in width, beyond the Ural Mountains, and
some distance into Siberia in Asiatic Russia--a district of nearly a
million square miles. Ordinarily this is the most productive part of
the Empire, upon which the remainder of the country had been accustomed
to draw for food supplies in the frequent cases of deficiency elsewhere.
The appearance of the country is similar to our prairie States in the
early days before the growth of the planted trees; and the soil is a
rich, black loam that usually produces good harvests.
It was estimated by those best qualified to judge that from thirty to
thirty-five millions of people were sufferers by the famine of 1891.
COUNT TOLSTOI ON THE CHARACTER OF THE PEASANTS.
Count Tolstoi gave up his whole time to mitigating the suffering caused
by this great disaster, and to understanding the situation broadly. He
went into the homes of the people, and studied their needs
sympathetically; he placed himself by their side, and with his dramatic
instinct understood them, ascertained where the hurt was felt, and how
it could be cured, if it could be cured at all.
At that time the Count wrote of these poor, unfortunates: "I asked them
what sort of a harvest they had had, and how they were getting along;
and they replied in a blithe, off-hand manner: 'Oh, right enough, God be
praised!' And yet these people who reside in the most distressed
districts of the government of Toula, cannot possibly live through the
winter, _unless they bestir themselves in time_. They are bound to die
of hunger, or some disease engendered by hunger, as surely as a hive of
bees left to face the rigors of a northern winter, without honey or
sweets, must perish miserably before the advent of spring. The
all-important question, therefore, is this: Will they exert themselves
while yet they possess the strength, if, indeed, it be not already
wholly exhausted? Everything that I saw or heard pointed with terrible
distinctness to a negative reply. One of these farmers had sold out the
meagre possessions which he could call his own, and had left for Moscow
to work or beg. The others stayed on and waited with naive curiosity
watching for what would happen next, like children, who, having fallen
into a hole in the ice, or lost their way in a dense forest and not
realizing at first the terrible danger of their situation, heartily
laugh at its unwontedness."
"Unless they bestir themselves in time"--what a text is this! They are
all the time overborne by the apathy of fear, of unused powers, of
suppression and depression. Courage, hope, enterprise to bestir
themselves, where will they come from? Not, surely, from fear, and more
discouragement.
THE BEGINNING OF THE AMERICAN RELIEF.
The work of the American National Red Cross in the Russian famine of
1891-92 was comparatively less than in some others of the conspicuous
fields in which it had done its work. The impulse to help in the work of
that relief sprang up simultaneously in many American hearts and homes,
in New York, in Philadelphia, in Minnesota and Iowa. In Iowa it took the
form of a veritable crusade for a most holy cause; beginning in the
fervid and indomitable spirit of Miss Alice French--the "Octave Thanet"
of literature--it quickly enlisted Mr. B.F. Tillinghast, editor of the
_Davenport Democrat_, who became its director-in-chief and organizing
force, everywhere organizing it, and promoting it in every direction and
in every form. The movement was taken up by the women of Iowa, and
Governor Boies became a prime mover, till the whole State at last joined
in a triumphal march bearing corn, God's best gift to man, to the
Atlantic coast in a procession of two hundred and twenty-five carloads,
exceeding five hundred bushels in each car. The corn was consigned to
Clara Barton in New York and reached her agents there without accident
or delay.
The American National Red Cross had authentic intelligence of the famine
in Russia before it had attracted general attention; it had placed
itself in communication with the Secretary of State, the Honorable James
G. Blaine, and the Russian Charge d'Affairs at Washington, Mr. Alexander
Gregor, and had ascertained that Russia would gladly receive any
donations of relief that the people of America might send to her famine
stricken people. Not only would they receive supplies, but would send
their ships for them, and provide inland transportation from Russian
ports to the destitute people for whom these benefactions were intended.
America declined to allow her suffering sister nation to cross the seas
to get this food, and quickly arranged to carry it to her. All the
American agencies concerned in this movement met it in the noblest
spirit; railroad companies gave free transportation, telegraph companies
the free use of wires, brokers and steamship agents declined their usual
commissions, and some insurance companies even gave premiums for the
safe delivery of the precious cargo into the hands of the starving
people.
Congress had been appealed to for ocean transportation, and the Senate
had voted a liberal appropriation, but the bill was defeated in the
House of Representatives. Then the citizens of Washington took up the
matter and were joined by the Society of Elks, one of the noblest of
our benevolent orders, ever ready to join in any good cause for
humanity; and funds to charter a steamship to carry the cargo to Russia
were soon raised and placed in the hands of the Red Cross.
The sentiment that roused and sustained this great movement on the part
of the people of America was a mingled one of sympathy for starving
Russian peasants, and gratitude for timely moral help of the Russian
navy in years gone by.
Was it accident or design that chose the British steamship "Tynehead" to
carry this material expression of American sympathy and gratitude and
enabled the president of the American National Red Cross, on the deck of
a British vessel, in presence of the American people, to say that,
"these tributes of America to Russia in her hour of temporary distress
were not to be counted as gifts, for they had been richly earned; not
even accounted as loans, for they had been anticipated a hundred-fold in
an hour of our own peril--far greater, God grant, than Russia may ever
know. They were not even the principal of a great national debt; but a
tithe of the interest long due, and joyously acknowledged--acknowledged
there under the triple shadow of the three great flags floating above,
blending now in their mighty folds the finest, purest attributes of
God's holy gifts to man, peace, love and charity."
Mr. Tillinghast, in describing the scene of the departure of the
"Tynehead" from New York, at which the above quoted words were spoken,
said: "Captain Carr, a brave man and a Briton, who had been tossed by
the waves from the Indian Ocean to the Bay of Fundy, was for a moment
speechless. The hardy sailors about him bowed, and their eyes moistened.
There was not a man on that ship who had ever before been charged with
the delivery of such a cargo."
A tug hauled the ship out into the river at high tide. She was greeted
by saluting whistles of passing ferries, yachts and steamers, by waving
flags and cheers from thousands. The "Tynehead" was headed for the long
voyage to the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic on the shores of Russia.
Dr. Hubbell, representative of the Red Cross to the international
conference of the Red Cross to be held at Rome, and authorized to
proceed to Riga and receive and distribute with the Russian Red Cross
this gift of Iowa, was already on his ocean voyage and ready to do his
part in this beautiful blending of international courtesies and services
that it is the mission of the Red Cross to devise and to carry out
where-ever it can make or find the fitting opportunity. Dr. Hubbell
arrived on time at Riga and will further on state the facts about the
distribution of the cargo.
It must not be thought that the Russian government or people were
indifferent to the sufferings of their fellow countrymen during this
great misfortune, or that they made no sufficient effort to meet their
needs or relieve their sufferings. The question has often been asked:
"While America was so active in this charity, what was the government of
Russia doing for its unfortunates?" Perhaps this query is best answered
by quoting from the official report of the American Ambassador at St.
Petersburg, the Hon. Charles Emory Smith, to his government, which was
written at that time, and says:
In the presence of this national disaster the Russian government has
not been passive. Without reviewing the administrative system, it
must be said that it has sought to grapple in liberal measures with
the tremendous problem. Before the first of March, 1892, it had
appropriated one hundred and fifty million rubles or seventy-five
million dollars for this purpose, and the direct outlay by June can
hardly be less than two hundred million rubles. Besides this, taxes
have been remitted, and work has been furnished where practicable.
Vast quantities of grain have been bought and brought from the rich
fields of the Caucasus, though, with the limited means of
communication and the loss of horses, it has been difficult to
convey it to the regions remote from the railroads. Large public
works, employing hundreds of thousands of men, have been undertaken.
The forests of the imperial domain have been opened to the peasants
for fuel. The proprietary class have, as a rule, in this emergency,
proved worthy of their positions and responsibilities. There are
single families taking care of as many as twenty thousand people.
The women, especially, have come forward with a consecration and
self-sacrifice which commands admiration.
If it were not invidious or indelicate many cases might be cited of
ladies of gentle birth who have left their homes, braved the dangers
of disease, faced the hardships of an unaccustomed and trying life,
and given up weeks and months to the feeding of the hungry and
ministering to the sick. One thing ought in fairness to be said. The
Emperor has been published abroad as indifferent. It is only just to
remark that this peculiar kind of indifference has been manifested
not merely in a vigorous direction of the later governmental
operations of relief, even to the summary dismissal of inefficient
agents; but in gifts from his private purse, which, if the belief of
St. Petersburg can be accepted, amount to fifteen or twenty times
all the contributions of all the world outside of Russia.
Ambassador Smith estimates that the American donations supported more
than seven hundred thousand people for a month. This may be accepted as
the result of their practical work for humanity.
From the above report it will be seen that the distress was so excessive
and widespread that even the available resources of so great an empire
as Russia were sorely taxed in the endeavor to succor its famishing
people; and that its people of all classes rose nobly to the work of the
occasion.
APPRECIATION OF AMERICAN SYMPATHY.
That the substantial sympathy of the American people was fully
appreciated by the Russian people may be gathered from what follows. The
mayor of St. Petersburg, in an address on behalf of that city to
American donors, declared:
The Russian people know how to be grateful. If up to this day these
two great countries, Russia and the United States, have not only
never quarreled, but on the contrary, wished each other prosperity
and strength always, these feelings of sympathy shall grow only
stronger in the future--both countries being conscious that, in the
season of trial for either it will find in the other cordial succor
and support. And when can true friendship be tested if not in the
hour of misfortune?
A peasant of Samara sent to a Russian editor, together with three
colored eggs, a letter which he asked to have forwarded to America. It
appeared in the _Century Magazine_. Here is an extract:
Christ is risen! To the merciful benefactors, the protectors of the
poor, the feeders of the starving, the guardians of the
orphans--Christ is risen! North Americans! May the Lord grant you a
peaceful and long life and prosperity in your land, and may your
fields give abundant harvests--Christ is risen. Your mercifulness
gives us a helping hand. Through your charity you have satisfied the
starving. And for your magnificent alms accept from me this humble
gift which I send to the entire American people for your great
beneficence, from all the hearts of the poor, filled with feelings
of joy.
Count Bobrinskoy, writing officially to the secretary of the Iowa
Russian Famine Relief Commission, used these words:
It gives me very great pleasure indeed to express to you the sincere
appreciation that the Russian people entertain toward the splendid
work organized in America for the relief of the sufferers in our
famine-stricken districts. I can assure that the same deep gratitude
is felt, not only by the poor who have received the generous
American contributions, but also by us all, who, having worked for
this relief, know how much it was needed. I know by Dr. Hubbell how
great was the activity of your peoples as well as that of Miss Clara
Barton in sending us the "Tynehead," and how much you have done in
the interests of our people. The names of "Indiana," "Missouri,"
"Conemaugh," "Tynehead" and "Leo" will always remind us of the most
beautiful example of international charity and fraternal love that
history has perhaps ever mentioned.
[Illustration: TYPHUS FEVER PATIENTS IN THE RUSSIAN FAMINE, 1891-92.]
[Illustration: COUNT LYOF NIKOLAYEVITCH TOLSTOY]
On the first anniversary of the arrival of the Iowa ship, "Tynehead," at
Riga, there was a significant event in Philadelphia. The Russian
man-of-war, the "Dimitre Donskoi," the flagship of the North Atlantic
Squadron, anchored in the Delaware River. The vessel was decorated with
flags and the officer of the day was the Grand Duke Alexander. By
special invitation of this representative of the Czar, Dr. Hubbell and
the nine other American commissioners, who went to Russia in behalf of
the donors were present on board. They were received with the most
impressive honors. The Czar had sent gifts by his officer, and the
presentations were made in the name of his majesty, under the imperial
flags. A large open trunk contained ten boxes of polished wood, and each
of these was inscribed: "In remembrance of your visit to Russia."
Accompanying each was a letter expressive of his majesty's gratitude.
The tokens were all magnificent specimens of Russian art work in silver.
The Department of State at Washington, under date of January 11, 1894,
issued the following information:
On November 7, 1893, the United States Minister at St. Petersburg
received from the nobility of that city, through their marshal,
Count Alexis Bobrinskoy, an address to the people of the United
States. This address, which is in the English language, embodies, in
terms fitly chosen, the thanks of the Russian people to the American
for the aid sent to their country from our own during the famine
periods of the past two years; it is beautifully engrossed and its
illumination embraces water-color drawings, which render it a most
attractive work of art. The document, which is superbly bound and
enclosed in a fine case, was duly forwarded to this city by Minister
White, and will be given a conspicuous place in the library of this
department.
The following is the Text of the Testimonial from the Nobility of Saint
Petersburg to the People of the United States:
In the annals of Russia for 1892, painful though the memory be,
history will point out many a bright and joyous page scattered
throughout the Empire, on which will be written in letters of gold
the beautiful story of brotherly love as exemplified by the good
people of the United States of America.
Hardly had human voices been heard calling for bread in certain
governments of Russia, that had suffered from drought, hail, and
untimely frost, ere that friendly people across the Atlantic, moved
by an earnest desire to help the afflicted and to feed the hungry,
collected from every state in the Union, as if by one accord,
shipload after shipload of corn, and dispatched them, one after the
other, on their errand of mercy and relief.
Deeply grateful for such evident signs of evangelical feeling and
interest, the Assembly of Nobles of the government of St.
Petersburg, as representatives of the intellectual class in Russia,
has resolved to express their warm and heartfelt gratitude to those
friendly people who form the great nation of the United States of
America.
May the Lord bless and keep all those kind-hearted Americans, men,
women and children, who took part in that great and good work of
charity, and may the Hand that giveth unto us all, reward them
bountifully, and ever keep them from a like misfortune.
(Signed.) The Marshal of the Nobility of St. Petersburg,
COUNT ALEXIS BOBRINSKOY.
Previous to receiving this beautiful tribute, on the arrival of the S.S.
"Indiana" from Philadelphia while not connected with the Red Cross work,
a similar artistic tribute to American donors was presented by the
workmen of Libeau to represent the sentiment of the workmen of Russia,
we introduce it as an additional illustration of the universal sentiment
of tender sympathy and gratitude of the Russian people.
DR. HUBBELL'S REPORT.
Arrived in St. Petersburg. It would be a week or ten days before we
could expect the arrival of the "Tynehead," with its cargo for the
famine sufferers; but we had a copy of her manifest and knew what she
would bring.
There was something of anxiety, amounting even to consternation, among
those who would have to do with the reception of the ship, for reports
from the United States had been circulated that persons were on board
the vessel who were objectionable, if not avowed enemies to the Russian
government, and such could not be recognized nor received. This concern
could not easily be dispelled until it was made clear that no one was
aboard the "Tynehead" save its own officers and crew. Elaborate
ceremonies had been held on the arrival of the other relief ships and
were contemplated for the "Tynehead." This we did not want, and took
occasion to express the feelings of the Red Cross and of American donors
in a letter acknowledging courtesies extended from the president of the
Russian Red Cross affording opportunities to visit its various
institutions, and particularly the regular working departments, in its
clinics, dispensaries, hospitals and training for active service in
civil as well as military field work.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 8/20, 1892.
To His Excellency, GENERAL DE KAUFFMANN,
_President of the Red Cross of Russia_:
HONORED PRESIDENT:--I desire to express my thanks for the courtesies
and the privilege of becoming acquainted with the every day
practical work of the Red Cross of Russia as shown by the kindness
of your secretaries.
Nowhere have I seen more complete, comfortable and generous
provision for the general care of the sick poor than here in the
institutions of the Red Cross and under its work.
And there can be no doubt that the practical experience that the
workers are receiving daily will greatly increase their efficiency
for service in time of war.
It will be a source of pleasure to make a report to the American Red
Cross of the practical work of the Russian Society in time of peace.
Regarding the arrival of the cargo of the ship "Tynehead," I trust
your excellency has already understood by our Charge d'Affairs, Mr.
Wurts, that no public demonstrations have been nor are desired.
This cargo is largely from the people of an agricultural State, many
of whom have suffered from failure of crops in their own country,
and thus keenly appreciate similar conditions that others may suffer
when such a vast territory as the interior of the Russian Empire is
denied rain season after season in succession; and they have simply
taken this method of expressing their sympathy, for it is their
custom to give in like manner in their own country whenever
occasions of calamity or suffering of any kind require the aid of
outside help. At this particular time they feel that perhaps the
same rains that had been withheld from their brothers in Russia had
given the increase to their own crops, which have been unusually
abundant the past year; and thus added duty to desire. Moreover,
there is a deep brotherly feeling throughout the nation; for our
people never forget that Russia has always been the friend of
America.
And further, the arrangements of your various committees in the
matter of distribution leave nothing to be desired, and that the
final reports will afford great pleasure and satisfaction to those
who have them to make, there is every reason to believe.
With great respect,
J.B. HUBBELL,
_General Field Agent American Red Cross
in charge cargo "Tynehead_."
The following is General Kauffmann's answer:
ST. PETERSBURG, May 11/23, 1892.
J.B. HUBBELL, M.D., _General Field Agent, American Red Cross_:
MUCH HONORED SIR:--I am eager to express to you herewith my most
sincere thankfulness for the sympathetic account of the activity of
the Russian Red Cross Society, which you have been so kind to give
in your letter of the eighth May current. You have had the occasion
to persuade yourself of the common direction between the Russian and
American Societies of the Red Cross, by which the help to our fellow
creatures is not restricted to the relief of suffering in time of
war, but is extended to all the calls of national calamities, from
the gratuitous medical treatment of the poor to the large help
afforded in time of epidemic disease, famine and other calamities.
It is to me a great pleasure to see the sympathy of the American
people to the Russian, the proof of which has been in the last years
so evident. As you are instructed by the American Red Cross to
express this feeling of sympathy to our society, I beg you to
believe the heartfelt expressions of the like feeling from our side,
which I pray to present in our name to your society and to the
people of the United States.
The gift brought by the "Tynehead" will be accepted with deep
gratitude and distributed among the needy people, according to the
wish of the givers, through the offices of the beneficent committee
under the august presidency of His Imperial Majesty the Heir to the
Crown.
I avail myself of the present occasion to pray you to accept the
assurance of my perfect consideration.
The president of the Russian Red Cross Society,
M. DE KAUFFMANN.
Through the help of Mr. Wurts of our legation; our Consul-General, Dr.
Crawford; Count Bobrinskoy, representing the Russian Red Cross, and the
Government, as well as the Czarowitch Committee; and through the active
help of Mr. W.H. Hilton, an Englishman at the head of the large linseed
oil works, deacon in the Anglo-American Church, whose thirty years'
business acquaintance over Eastern Russia and his sympathy with a people
in distress, particularly fitting him for the work; with these agencies
the assignment of the cargo was arranged to be sent to eighty-two famine
centres for distribution. It was to be consigned to persons of
unquestioned integrity and fitness for the work. These people had been
communicated with, and their acceptance of the charge assured, and the
number of carloads that each should receive made known to each, that he
might make the necessary provision for its reception and distribution.
Count Bobrinskoy had ordered 320 freight cars to be in readiness at Riga
to receive and transport the cargo free of cost to whatever point might
be desired. When these preliminary arrangements had been completed and
the "Tynehead" sighted from the signal station, we started in company
with Count Bobrinskoy for Riga, the port that had been previously
selected by the Russian Ambassador in Washington as being free from ice
and most favorable for transporting the cargo to the interior.