The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-19
CLARA BARTON IN CHARGE.
Red Cross Association Alone to Man
age Relief Distribution.

Oi1ua sea coast Suuerers Being 6Y8s
tematized and Relinquished to the
Conduct of the Famous Interna-
tional Philanthropy-Its American
President Makes a Plain Statements
of the Situation and It's Needs, Pres-
ent and Prospective-An Forms Of
Assistance VIII be Addressed to
Her.
Charleston, s. c., Sept 1s-At the re-
quest of Gov. Tillman the central relief
committee in charge Of the distribution
of money and supplies for the sufferers on
the sea islands by the recent cyclone met
Miss Clara Barton and her staff Of the
Red Cross Association at the Charleston
hotel to-day to discuss and decide upon
the best means of carrying forward the
work of relief. Gov. Tillman was present
and took part in the conference. After
discussion the Red Cross Association was
by formal resolution requested to assume
charge of the work. Miss Barton ac-
cepted the trust, For the present, and
until the Red Cross have systematized
their work. the local relief committees
appointed on the different islands will be
called upon to cooperate with the Red
Cross in the distribution of relief. Miss
Barton made the following statement to
the News and Courier after the confer
ence to-day, with the request that 1t be
sent to the Associated Press:
REPORTS BORNE OUT BY FACTS.
81 think the present condition Of the
Carolina sea islands bears out all that
have seen in print, ! should think that
the people on these islands are seeing,
perhaps, the best that they will see for
some months II left to themselves, My
reason for this opinion is that, through
the liberality Of the people, they have
some supplies in hand to-day which, with-
out replenishing, will soon be exhausted.
In addition, they have small quantity Of
food stuff that was saved from the storm,
which really seems pitiful TO look at.
Sufficient time has not elapsed to
develop the miasmatic conditions that
are certain TO follow from the vast
amount Of vegetable matter killed by the
salt water, and which must decay on the
ground. There are two means of earn
ing livelihood among the inhabitants of
these sea islands farming, and mining
in the phosphate fields. The farm inter-
ests have been almost completely des-
troyed, and there is nothing 10 be done on
the farm till sspring. The storm swept
away the machinery and boats Of the
phosphate miners, and 1t will be six
months before they can resume work.
The other sources Of revenue are meager
and willnot supply the demands of thou
sands In need of food and shelter,
DIsooURAGING OUTLOOK.
''The sanitary condition, never the best,
Is now naturally as much worse as could
well be imagined The water supply has
become brackish, the destruction of
houses has necessitated crowding many
families into one house With but little
clothing, less food, decaying vegetation,
stagnant water, exposure to the weather,
medical assistance miles away few med
ical supplies, what but sickness can be
expected, without prompt attention aud
immediate relief What is there to pre-
vent the recurrence of the malignant
malarial fever that history shows has fol-
lowed the previous storms that have WIS.,
tied these islands, Already the physi-
clans have their hands full and new cases
of malarial fever are being developed
every day
THE ONE BRIGHT SPOT.
''One bright spot is the superb work of
the marine hospital service under DIR.
Magruder's control through the direction
of DIR. Wyman. AS far as this service
has reached, it is directing the cleaning
of wells, the burial of carcasses, and the
drainage of the soil wherever practicable.
This service is limited to methods of san
itation, and does not furnish in any way
the food and clothing, not TO speak
people require. All of this must
be left to the generosity Of the
people at large. There will not be
work for these people for months. The
crops, on which they can get advances
through liens, will not,be planted until the
spring. On the upper islands there Is a
considerable area Of truck farms, and on
these the work of preparation does not
begin until FEBRUARY. The work in the
phosphate mines win be paralyzel' for
months, and there Is no regular work to
which the laborer can turn, willing as he
may be to work for the support Of himself
and family.
FISHING FACILITIES LOST.
"The fishing boats Of the people were
swept to sea, their poultry in the main,
was drowned, and on many islands COWS
and goats were destroyed. The entire
seacOast belt of the islands, extending
south from James Island to Hilton Head
island, with 10000 population, has been
devastated, the crops ruined, houses
swept away, clothing destroyed, while
oAthACoo 10 bAOtoAAAE htAA BCA AAhPo ANAl Va
these people will be dependent upon pub
lie charity for support, If they are not al.
ready so. There is a severe winter sea-
son ahead The men, so far as 1 have
been able to see and hear, are willing to
work where there is anything to do,
but there is little, IL anything, and there
will be less when winter comes. II they
leave the islands their families-gener-
ally large ones-will be left behind en-
tirely destitute and helpless. The ap-
peals for help have been generously re-
sponded to up to this time, and have
doubtless saved many lives. The fund
has been almost entirely expended in the
purchase of grist, bacon and -four, the
principal staples of food, and those sup
plies have been judiciously and honestly
distributed. But the work has just be-
gun. Months aud months Of bread have
to be supplied.
THE RED CROSS CONES BY REQUEST.
tGovernor Tlllman has shown his
hearty cooperation in the work of relief
and has given his personal attention to it.
The Red Cross comes to this scene by the
united request Of Senator Butler and
Governor Tillman. After examining the
IL recognizes the necessity for
some central direction Of the work Of re-
lief, and, at the solicitation Of all parties.
has agreed to remain in the field and take
hold Of the work. The generous heart Of
the ppOulp OF Tfnffad Efaeaa al