nding from Moscow north and south, and east beyond the Ural
Mountains and into Siberia--embracing an era of a million square miles.
This failure was followed by another in 1890.

Eighteen hundred and ninety-one found the old-time granaries empty, and
a total failure of the crops, and a population of thirty-five millions
of people, paralyzed with the dread of approaching famine.

The American Red Cross had placed itself in communication with the
Secretary of State, Hon. James G. Blaine, whose name and memory it
treasures with reverence, and Mr. Alexander Gregor, the accomplished
Russian _Charge d'Affaires_ at Washington, and ascertained that Russia
would gladly receive donations of relief from America. She would even
send her ships for any food that might be offered. This, America would
not permit and Congress was appealed to for ocean transportation. The
Senate voted a liberal appropriation, which was defeated in the House.

Then the Red Cross, with the aid of the citizens of Washington, took up
the matter. They were joined by the Order of Elks, which contributed a
sum of seven hundred dollars, than which perhaps that liberal Order
never made a more timely gift. Funds were raised to charter a steamship
for the Red Cross. The spirit spread generally over the country.
Philadelphia sent a messenger to learn what Washington was doing, and
was advised to charter one of its own ships, which was done, and two
consignments were finally made by them.

Minnesota had already acted, and later, by the advice and aid of the
extra provision of the Red Cross, the Christian Herald sent out its ship
cargo, under convoy of Rev. Dr. Talmage.

But the State of Iowa led all others in active generosity.

Under the supervision of Mr. B. F. Tillinghast, of Davenport, aided by
the able pen of Miss Alice French, that State alone raised, and sent in
trains across the country from Iowa to New York, one hundred and
seventeen thousand bushels of corn and one hundred thousand pounds of
flour, which was loaded onto the "Tynehead," a staunch British ship, and
consigned to the port of Riga.

That year we had been notified of an International Conference to be held
in Rome. The customary appropriation was made by Congress, and again I
was appointed delegate. Too much occupied by the relief at home, Dr.
Hubbell, also a delegate, went in my place to Rome, and from there
reached Riga in time to receive and direct the distribution of the
immense cargo o