Los Angeles herald., 1892-09-09
kept LIKE RATS IN A TRAP,
"A Grave Situation at New
York Quarantine.
New Cases of Cholera Daily
Breaking Out.
Passengers on the Detained Ships in
Terrible Plight.
They Complain Bitterly of their Treat
ment-NO Place of Refuge From
the Plague Provided by
the Authorities.

By the Associated Press.l
New York, Sept. 8.-The cholera
situation at quarantine is grave. Not
only are new cases breaking out every
day among the steerage passengers OF
the ill-fated Normannia and Rugia, the
former of whom are on Hoffman island,
but it is now settled we'll among the
crew of the Normannia, who are on
board. The cabin passengers, who
have been free from any sign of disease.
are still kept like rats in a trap, en-
closed within the insides of the steamer,
and cholera raging alongside OF them.
"No ship to put them on; no place
where can land them," says the health
officer, while the agents whose place it is
to see that the passengers are cared for,
say nothing.
DR.. Jenkins has made strenuous eff
forts to obtain a place for the well pas
sengere, but up to the present has been
unsuccessful. Today he thought he had
everything arranged, but gentleman
the Associated Press telegram from
Austin Corbin, stating that the war de-
partment had refused the use of Sandy
Hook for cabin passengers, and this
blocked their plan to erect barracks
there.
DR.. Jenkins said he had asked Gov.
Flower to annex Fire island, which WAS
private property, and let him put the
cabin passengers ashore at once, and he
thought it might be possible to do so,
md hov nf ifo vol n q
made later. The governor has advised
put the cabin passengers in If necessary,
and he thought things would be straight
ened out.
AT LOWER QUARANTINE.
As regards the situation at lower
quarantine, things are no better than on
the previous day. In fact, they are
much worse in regard to mortality eleven
fresh cases and four deaths being the
days record. On the Normannia six
new cases we're found, and on the Rugia
three cases, all members of the crew
and steeraee. They were removed to
Swinburne island. The Moravia was
found, for the fourth time, to
be absolutely free from cases,
and the doctors are now conf
dent that cholera has been success
fully stamped out on board that ship.
On Hoffman's island one OF the Norman
MAS steerage passengers has developed
cholera, and he was removed on tug to
Swinburne island. There it was found
four deaths had occurred since last
night.
NEW CAMP SELECTED.
Secretary Foster has selected new To-
cation for quarantine camp, about a
mile and half from the Hooks end.
He wired full details of the situation to
hesecretary of war tonight, and expects
reply tomorrow.
A PASSENGERS PROTEST.
The following letter, written on the
Normannia on September 7th, was re-
ceived in the city today at the Office Of
the Evangelist, from Rev. Daniel w.
Fisher, DID,, LID, president OF Hano-
yer college, Indiana:
On behalf of the cabin passengers of
this ill-fated ship, appeal to you for
help. We are perfectly willing to be
quarantined, but, in the name of hui
manity and civilization, not to speak of
Christianity, let the quarantine be at
least rational, and not barbarous. We
have not been sick in the cabin, except
in one case, which seems to have had
| almost no choleraic symptoms, and that
occurred two days ago. We sue
ceeded in getting the steerage away,
but the crew cannot be removed. The
ship must have them aboard. One after
another they sicken. Under these cir
cumstances we scarcely dare hope that
ultimately we should escape. Atany rate,
when can such quarantine end? Think
OF the children, women, feeble persons,
any set OF men, even criminals, left to
wear out the danger of cholera in this
fashion. Anchor the ship as far out at
sea as possible, and let the dis
ease do what it can. If any
set Of people in any other situation
were enduring such perils as ours,
millions of voices would be raised to
rescue us without days delay. Why
are we not worthy of help, situated as
we are? Surely not because help is inn
| possible. Put US on another vessel,
land us at some safe point on the shore
and seclude up to any extent, but for
Gods sake do not perpetuate this bar
barism on us here for day longer. Try
to help US at once. Yours very truly,
| d. w. FISHER.
p. S.-Why are we on the ship? Be-
cause the agent of the company in Lon
don assured almost every passenger who
embarked at Southampton that there
was no steerage this trip. Some OF US
have his written statement that the
| shin sailed from Hamburg without steer