It is extremely difficult to secure accurate information; but apparently
the famine has passed its worst stage and the Government is now fully
able with the means at its disposal to meet all the needs of the
situation.
[Inclosure.]
the famine in northeastern japan.
The following brief sketch of the actual conditions of the famine in
the northeastern part of the main island of Japan is made after
obtaining statements from the authorities of the central Government
as well as from reliable eye witnesses within the famine
district.
The Government states that deaths from actual starvation have not
occurred. The death rate in the afflicted region has not been
abnormal, except among the aged or infirm. Among these the hardship
and exposure due to extreme poverty and the scant and bad food that
the people in this normally poor district have had to resort to to
keep body and soul together have, of course, caused the death of
many. On the other hand, the hardihood and endurance of the average
Japanese agricultural population is so great that the rank and file
could sustain life even under the adverse conditions that have
existed. There has been much suffering, but very slight
mortality.
The government estimated the number of people in need at the end of
March to be some 700,000. A gentleman who had been investigating the
situation on the spot estimated, at the same date, that some 900,000
were in more or less distress, and that of these about 500,000 were
really suffering, and some 250,000 in vital need and now receiving
assistance.
The famine has now reached and probably passed its worst stage. The
means of relief are improved. The severe winter is now breaking up,
which will, with the melting of the snow, improve the means of
communication and make more out-of-door work possible. As the spring
and summer advance there will be work in planting for landowners,
tending silkworms, picking mulberry leaves, etc. For these reasons
the suffering should now steadily decrease. The need of assistance
should also decline, as with the end of winter the ways in which the
people can help themselves will increase. A measure of relief will
be needed, however, until the autumn, when the local rice crop is
harvested. Perhaps by the middle of June the number of those who
must be given food will be reduced by about one-half, and so
gradually fall off. The hope has been expressed that by July the
prefectural governments will be able to leave the responsibility for
local conditions to the city, town, and village government
offices.
The following are the measures taken by the Japanese Government for
the relief of the three afflicted prefectures—Miyagi, Fukushima, and
Iwate: Exemption from the land tax; the sale of surplus military
supplies at a fraction of their cost; arrangements for the reduction
of freight charges for the carrying of commodities to the
famine-stricken district; the sale of products of government
forests; the advancing of money for developing farms and opening up
uncultivated lands (thus giving work); the encouragement of
emigration for Hokkaido (the northeastern and sparsely-populated
island of Japan); government purchase of firewood and charcoal
produced in that region; supplying seed rice for planting the
fields; the employment of sufferers for the opening and repairing of
roads and for other public works. The local governments are
disbursing between one and two million in providing the destitute
with work in improving the laying out of rice fields, making and
repairing roads, planting trees, etc. The Government provides work
as far as possible to avoid the pauperizing influence of giving
outright. Every precaution is being taken to guard against the
possible occurrence of epidemics.
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and the members of the
imperial family have made donations, also the members of the
cabinet.
Contributions by nonofficial Japanese subjects are said to have
amounted to half a million yen or more. Several orphanages,
especially that conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Ishii at Takenogawa, Oji,
Tokyo, which is entirely dependent upon private support, have
rendered valuable assistance in caring for destitute children. The
Salvation Army is also doing good work in taking in young girls.
Americans may well feel pride in the splendid work done by the
foreign committee at Sendai, of which the great majority, Doctor de
Forest, Mr. W. E. Lampe, the Rev. C. S. Davison, Mr. M. B. Madden,
and Mr. William Axling, are citizens of the United States. The work
of these men, and the donations from the United States collected by
the Christian Herald and through the Red Cross Society, are, like
the President’s humanitarian appeal, highly appreciated in
Japan.
[Page 1004]
While the prompt assistance rendered has doubtless been of great
value in alleviating suffering and as a fine example of
humanitarianism, there is no doubt that the Japanese Government and
people can now themselves readily cope with the needs of the final
months of the famine.
Huntington Wilson.
April 5,
1906.
