Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1887 — POVERTY IN EUROPE. [ARTICLE]

POVERTY IN EUROPE.

Four Thousand Children Starving in Vienna—Some, jqf Them Dead. London Standard. An inquiry recently instituted into the condition of the Vienna poor attending, the elementary schools resulted in appalling disclosures. Upward of four thousand children were Buffering from the pangs of hanger, some of them being on the verge of starvation A long list of heart-rending cases came te light, and no donbt wat felt that not a few of the unfortunate little ones had died of inanition. The intelligence, heralded abroad through the local press, at once became sensational, and the starving school-children are now the idols of the hoar. The children, cross-examined by a relief committee, corroborated the evidence already taken. It transpired that their principle food consisted of dry bread and occasionally a little weak soup or coffee. Jt is quite true that some of them affirmed that they were habitually given a glass ol spirits to stifle the cravings of their appetite and keep out the cold. ♦ One boy positively stated that his father was a good man, and that when he could not give him anything to eat he let him drink as much -_aa he liked. “Jr, ja,” exclaimed hie school fellows, “and that is why you often come drunk to school.” The parents of the starving children are for the most part day laborers, though some undoubtedly belong to a less respectable class. As soon as the work of relieving the children was taken in hand subscriptions were opened at the editoritorial offices of th 6 metropolitan press. Seldom has an appeal te public charity been more readily and more generously responded to. The poorer elapses have largely contributed. The popular newspapers are full of advertisements from people who can not spare much money, but who offer to give one or two children their daily food. Almost all these advertisements add that application can be made without distinction of religion. All ths hotel and restaurant keepers are feeding a certain number of hungry children every day.