The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-08-31
INCREASING
7hetSack List AWoug Sol
NzexS in Porto Rico Is
'es-RabzaZy Gyowlug:

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. sl.-The yach
May, which arrived in this city yesterday
from Porto Rico, via Newport News, brought
the report of the representatives Of the ma
tional relief committee, ex-Minister to Italy
William Potter, William Van Rensselaer,,
Louis c. Van Uxem and Dr. G. G. Graft,
who went to Porto Rico to superintend the
distribution of the supplies sent to the sick
soldiers by the commission. The May, which
was loaned to the government by Mr.. Van
Renssalaer, left this city on Aug. 6, and
reached Ponce, Porto Rico, Aug. II. The re-
port states that the commissioners reported
70 Gen. Miles and were refererd by to Col.
Greenleaf, chief surgeon Of the army in the
neld Col. Greenleaf ordered the 70 tons of
meolcal supplies to be taken from the May
and placed in the lower floor of the custom
mouse, which is now being used as the
headquarters of the army in Porto Rico.
After giving details of the distribution of
the supplies, the report says: In almost
every instance, we found the army sur
geons most anxious to have at their DISPOSE
ton money for the purchase of needed lux
urles for the sick, such as fresh milk ice
When obtainable, and canned goods, and
we have been able to meet the demands
made upon us.
Ihere are about $1,000 American soldiers
III Fofto Rico, and on the day of our de-
parture, Aug. %, there were over 1000 men
on the sick list. OF this number one-half
were cases requiring prompt and careful
treatment. There was a large number Of
typhoid cases, but on the 22d inst. this dis
ease was not on the increase fact which
indicates that the malady had been carried
from the camps at home and is not indigen-
Gus to Porto Rico. However, there was a
very large increase in diarrheoa, dysentry
dengue or breakbone fever. and malarial
disorders, due to the hot, unhealthy, rainy
season, just commencing, which caused the
WatHE supply to be filled with malarial
gerh4s 1rom the constant decaying vegeta-
tion." All medical authorities in the army
in Porto Rico agree that the sick list is in
creasing, and that an alarming condition
may4be expected unless the war department
promptly arranges barracks for the army
of occupation, and Immediately provides ad-
ditional transports (the hospital ship Relief
being sufficienD to remove such of the sick
as can not be safely transferred home, the
convalescents and those invalided by cli-
matte onditions. 1t is impossible for men
tropical country during its most unhealth-
full season.
I'm conclusion, we are glad to report that
we reached Porto Rico with our medical
and hospital supplies just at the time when
they were most needed, as, owing to the
lack of steam launches with which to unload
the vessels in the harbor and those hard
aground on the coral reef, the medical de-
partment could not secure its supplies
promptly, and our consignment had been
most carefully selected, containing many
useful articles not supplied in the hospital
equipment of the United States army
I'VE cabled to the national relief commits
sion on the 22d inst. to forward to Porto
Rico a consignment Of light groceries, such
as condensed cream, cereals, canned soups,
clam broth, ETC.; also pajamas and under
clothing, all Of which are much needed in the
hospitals. and are not obtainable in the
island"
Attached to the report Is letter from
Gen. Miles, thanking the commissioners on
behalf Of the army for the supplies and for
big consignment Of American flags. Also
a letter from Col. Greenleaf expressing
thanks for the gift of an ice-making ma
chine in which he says: Il cannot ade-
Quately express the satisfaction with which
the results of this dona lion will be received
by the SICK"
ice in this country is an expensive luxury,
costing $50 per ton in Porto Rico money,
WHICH HcCSSSlldteS TIE exercise IlglQ
economy on the part Of our medical officers
In its use To have tue output of such a
machine at our disposal is a blessing. the
benefits of which can only be appreciated
by those who have served in these islands"
In addition to three relief commissioners
the following officers and men returned on
the May:
Col. John w. Clouse, deputy Judge advo-
cate, U. S. A: Col. John Biddle, of Gen
Wilson's staff, who with Capt. Harry Alvan
Hall. Of the 18th Pennsylvania, and Lieut.
E. M. Fullington, also of Gen. Wilson's
staff, are commanded by that comma ander
to present to the president of the United
States the royal Spanish ensign captured
Aug. in the engagement at Coamo: Hon.
James Wolcott. Wadsworth, congressman
from the 1hirtieth New York district: Mai
Clayton Parkhill, chief surgeon first diyis-
ion, first army corps. On sick leave; Lieut..
John Workison, 10th United States infan-
try; Lieut.. w. Howard Pancoast, with Pri-
Yates A. r. Chester and Wilson Potter. all
OF light battery A, Philadelphia; James g.
Clark and Herbert Childs. of troop A. New
York. On furlough: Addison Kelly. p. L.
Overfield. Joseph Knight and Samuel
Boyle, all Of battery A, and Myron r. Sto-
well, war correspondent, Pittsburg Times
DR.. Graft will remain temporarily in Porto
Rico, and will cable from time to time the
needs Of the commission in the island.