Death Walks Abroad in Bengal

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 223, 20 September 1943, Page 5

Death Walks Abroad in Bengal

PITIFUL SCENES IN FAMINE-STRICKEN PROVINCE Received Sunday, 8.50 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 19. Pitiful stories aie coming in of the widespread famine in Bengal. The British United Press’s Delhi correspondent states that death is stalking abroad in the British Empire's second city—Calcutta. In a sunrise walk the correspondent found people lying dead on the pavements by dozens. At least 150 are dying daily in Calcutta from starvation and the accompanying diseases of cholera and dysentery. The Government maintains that food hoarders are mainly responsible, but most of the Indian Nationalists and the Hindu Press blame the Government for inadequate preparations when a shortage was inevitable, also for inefficiency in distribution. There is not much hope that things will improve before the rice is harvested late in January. Reuter’s Calcutta correspondent says grim pictures of destitution were painted in the Provincial Legislature by non-official speakers in the food debate. One said children and infants were being sold in the Barisal district, known in happier times as Bengal’s granary. Anothei said there was not a single village where it was possible to find people receiving two meals daily.