The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-01
PORTO RICO.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.

Rice and Coffee Completely Swept Awny by
the Hurricane-Dangcrs Of Famine
Foreign Productions TO BE Admitted Free.
HAVANA, Nov. l9-P. N.
According to tho news the 18th inst received hero
by the spansh Isla dc Cuba appears that our
island has suffered severely from the effects OF the
late hurricane. There 10 end the details Of the
Affections The people have been left quite destitute Of
everything and the authorities recognize the extremity
OF the situation, which active measures have
been adopted in aid OF the sufferers One Of steps
WAS No understand 10 exempt all kinds OF provisions
cereals other of life from any duty-At
least for some months 70 come
In Barros more than Two hundred houses have been
destroyed. Not single plantation nor q single coffee
has escaped. What the tempest left the overflow
ing OF the rivers has swept away. The rice, Jet
gathered, Is all lost will require more than
twelve months to repair the loss sustained Some
plants, like coffee, require 81 least four years
before bearing fruit The extent Of the damage
from TINS fact alone be more easy imagined than
explained. Tho immediate consequences, still more So
In Porto Rico there Is capital The landed propretors
cannot repair their houses their plansa-
tons The treasury is empty and therefore there Is
way wherewth 20 pay the laboring classes even the
authorities were TO employ them This latter calamity
has placed the colony In such exceptional condition
that even any radical measures would do little good All
classes Of society will have 10 make great sacrifices
order to the island. The number Of is
immense, while the productive part OF the population
10 comparatively insignificant In number. Under SUCH
circumstances II will become necessary 10 supply the
country with plenty Of foreign productions without
ceptcn, free Of duty order that they may be dsrDu
tod at moderate cost. The consumers be taxed
later in proportion TO the consumption to recuperate
the fiscal needs IN return for the decrease Of revenue
for the time being.
The poor not having bananas wherewth 70 sus.
tain life, the misery will increase before Two months
pre- and unless the authorities siopt wise and
timely steps complete famine awaits the wrotched
habitants
In Morovis Eve persons killed and some drowned
An immense number Of wounded are reported More
than three hundred huts ranehos destroyed in diff
fercnt paris Of the In quarters there are
only nve or six huts out OF hundred that WITH
stood the weather Two shocks Of earthquake were
distinctly felt and the electricity continuous and
Intense thzi the people that IL rsined nre.
In Juncos an intni,e number OF families reduced
70 complete misery. Seven.y-two houses were blown
down.
In seipa and Utuado nney.sx houses were thrown 70
the ground.
In Penuelas two distinct shocks or earthquake were
experienced and IL was said that some parts Of the
groVnd had sunk considerably
Ia Lsguilo the losses have been estimated az $40 600
The 0elds had the aspect OF having been burnt There
no signs Of life or animation and all looked death
like.
Daily ra,icns Of rice we're being distributed 20 the
most needy by the authorities.