The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-02

May, which arrived in this city to-day
from Porto Rico via Newport News,
brought the report of the representa-
tives of the national relief committee
who went to Porto Rico to superintend
the distribution of the supplies sent to
the sick soldiers by the commission.
The May left this city on August and
reached Ponce August IL. The report
states that the commissioners reported
to Gen. Miles and was by him referred
to Col. Greenleaf, chief surgeon of the
army in the field. Col. Greenleaf Or
dered the 70 tons of medical supplies
to be taken from the May and placed
in the lower floor of the custom house.
which is now being used as the head
quarters of the army in Porto Rico.
After giving details of the distribution
of the supplies, the report says:
In almost every instance we found army sur
geOns most anxious to have at their DISPOSE
ton money for the purchase Of needed lux
uries for the sick, such as fresh milk. Ice (when
obtainable) and canned goods. and we are hap
py to report that in every case we have been
able to meet the demands made upon u.s. There
are about 10000 American soldiers in Porto
Rico and on the day Of our departure, August
q, there were over !, 900 men on the sick list
OF this number One-half were cases requiring
prompt and careful treatment There was
large number Of typhoid cases, but on the I'D
inst this disease was not on the increase, a
fact which indicates that the malady had been
carried from the camp at home and is not in
digenous to Porto Rico. However, there was
very large increase in diarrhOea dysentery,
dengue or breakbone fever. and even malarial
disorders. due to the hot, unhealthy rainy sea-
son, just commencing. which causes the water
supply to be filled with malarial germs from
constant decaying vegetation
All medical authorities in the army in Porto
Rico agree that the sick list is increasing and
that an alarming condition may be expected
unless the war department promptly arranges
barracks for the army Of occupation and imme-
diately provides additional transports (the
hospital ship Relief being insuficient) to re-
move such of the sick men can be safely
transferred home, the convalescentS and those
enervated by climate conditions It is impos-
sible for men from northern climate to recu-
perate in a tropical country during its most I'M
healthful season. In 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 har-
Dor and those hard aground on the coral reef,
| the medical department could not secure it's
supplies promptly and our consignment had
| been most carefully selected. containing many
useful articles not supplied in the HOSPITAL
| equipment Of the army. We cabled to the Ma
tional Red Cross commission on the I'D to for
ward to Porto Rico consignment of light
groceries, such condensed cream, cereals
canned soups. clam broth. etc; also pajamas
| and underclothing. all of which much
needed in the hospitals and are not obtainable
on the island
Attached to the report is letter
from Gen. Miles thanking the commits
sioners on behalf of the army for the
supplies and for a big consignment of
| American flags; also a letter from Col.
Greenleaf expressing thanks for the
| gift of an ice-m aking machine, in
which he says:
cannot adequately express the satisfaction
| with which the results of this donation will be
| received by the sick. Ice in this country is an
expensive luxury, costing $50 per ton in Porto
Rican money. which necesSitateS the exercise
| of rigid economy on the part Of our medical
| officers in its use. To have the output of such
| a machine at our disposal is blessing the
| benefits of which can only be appreciated by
| those who have served in these hospitals.
Relief Supplies for Cuba.
New York, Aug. 31.-A cablegram
from Miss Clara Barton at Havana to
the central Cuban relief committee
said that she needed a steamship to
use in the distribution of supplies and
Stephen E. Barton, chairman of the
committee, has chartered the San An
tonic from c. II. Mallory & Co. for two
months with the privilege of extend
ing the time to six months. The San
Antonio is sister ship of the State OF
Texas, which was in Miss Barton's
service during May. June and July.
Her capacity is about 500 tons. She
will be loaded with Cuban relief sup
plies and will sail probably on
Thursday in charge O. Capt Young,
who was the commanding officer
of the state of Texas, while in Miss
Barton's service Several agents will
go on the ship to assist in the re.
lief work. 1t has not yet been deter
mined to what port the ship will &c
first to report to Miss Barton, but il
will probably 60 to Havana as Miss
Barton has large quantity of sup
plies there The plan will be to touch
at all Cuban ports, giving special at
tention first to those on the north
coast which have had no relief since
the outbreak of the war. The cargo
of the San Antonio will include gen.
eral assortment of food and clothing
similar to what has been sent on pre-
vious shipments.