The reports of the Indian Famine grow ever worse. The
number now being relieved by the State has risen to five million seven hundred thousand, a total beyond all prece- dents, and the long endurance of want is telling on the capacity of the people to resist disease. In special camps both cholera and fever are making terrible ravages. Lord Curzon has earnestly contradicted a report that the worst of the famine is past, and begs that all aid that can be given shall be forthcoming at once. There are strong rumours, even, of a Parliamentary grant-in-aid, though these may be incorrect, such a precedent, which would prevent subscrip- tions in future, being regarded with grave alarm. The supply of rain will not be accurately known till June, and even if it is a full one there is even in India an interval of months between sowing and reaping. We repeat that the most urgent necessity is to help the poor people to replace their cattle, without which they will have in autumn no means of cultivation, and in winter no firing.
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