The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-09-03
RELIEF WAS TIMELY.
Arrival of the Auxiliary Hospital
Yacht May be a Godsend to
Sick Soldiers

Philadelphia, Pa, Aug 3O.-The yacht
May, which arrived in this city
today from Porto Rico, via Newport
News, brought the report of the
representatives of the national relief
commlssion-ex-N Minister to Italy VII
ham Potter, William Van Rensselaer,.
Louis c. Van Uxem and DR.. G. G..
Grat, Who went to Porto Rico to super
intend the distribution of the supplies sent
10 the sick soldiers by the commission
J he May, which was loaned to the gov
ernment by Mr.. Van Rensselaer,, left this
city on August 6 and reached Ponce. Por-
to flco, August l.. The report states
that the commissioners reported to Gen
Miles and We're by him referred to Col
Grecnieaf, chief surgeon of the army in
the field. Col. Greenleaf ordered the sav-
enty tons of medical supplies to be taken
from the May and placed in the lower floor
OF the customs house. which is now being
used as the headquarters of the army in
Porto Rico.
Distribution of Supplies.
After giving details of the distribution
OF the supplies, the report says:
In almost every instance we found the
'InlA surgeons most anxious to have at
tnelf disposition money for the purchase
OF needed Injuries for the sick. such as
frcsh mix, ice twheu ohtainabIp, and
canned goods, and we are happy to report
lhat ~ every case we nave been able To
meet the demands made upon us
lhere are about 5000 American sol
hl'rs IN Porto Rico and on til. dav Of
our departure, August p, there were over
100" men on the sick list. OF this mum
peI "he-haif were cases requiring prompt
and careful treatment. There was a large.
number OF typhoid cases. but on the 22d
INST. TINS disease was not on the increase
ii tact which indicates that the maladv
had been carried from the camps at home
ana Is not indigenous ii Porto Rico
however. there was n very large increase
IN diarrhoea. dysentery, dengue or break
bone fever, and malaria disorders. due
to the hot, unhealthy rainy season. Just
commencing. which causes the water sup
ply to be filled with malarial germs from
the constant dccaying vegetation.
All medical authorities i'll the army in
I"rto Rico agree thar the sick list is
increasing and that an alarming condi-
ton may be expected unless the war de-
partment promptly arIanges barracks for
the army of occupation and Immediately
provides additional transports tthe hos
pltal ship Relief being iusuticient) to re-
move such of the sick as can be safely
transferred homc-the ConvaleScents and
those "nervated by climatic conditions. It
Is impossible for men from northern
chmat" to recuppratc in a tropical coun-
try during its most unhcalthful season.
Relief was Sadly Needed.
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 its supplies promptly, and our con
SiGnment had been most carefully Sc
leCted. containing many useful articles
not supplied in the hospital equipment of
the United States army.
I'VE cahled to the national relief com
mission on tho -,2d inst to forward to
Porto Rico a consignment Of light grocer
les, such as condensed cream. cereals.
canned soups clam broth, etc; also pa ia
mas and underclothing. all of which arc
much needed in the hospitals and are not
obtainahle i'll the island"
Attached to the report is a letter from
Gen. Miles thanking the commissioners
on behalf of the army for the supplies
aud for q big consignment of American
flags, also letter from Col. Gr"enleat
expressing thanks for the gift of an ice
making machine, in which he says:
~ cannot adequately express the salts
faction with which tn. results of this do
nation will I've received by the sick. Ice
in this country Is an expensive luxury,
costing $50 per ton in Porto Rican mon-
ey. which necesstatos the exercise of
rigid economy on the part of our medical
officers in It's use. To have the output
of such a machine at our disposal is n
blessing, the benefits of which can only
be appreciated by those who have served
in these hospitals"
In addition to three relief commission
crs. the following officers and men re
turned on the May:
Col. John w. Clous. deputy judge ad-
die of Gen. Wilson's staff who with
Capt. Harry Alvan Han Of the SixteeI>th
Pennsylvania and Lieut.. L. VI. Fulling
ton. also Of Gen. Wilson's staff. are com
ms<iOnCd by that commander tn present
TO the President Of the United States the
royal Spanish ensign Capturnd August 9
in the engagement nj Coamo: James VOL
colt WadSworth. congressman from the
Thirticth New York district: Maj Clay
ton Parkhill, chief surgeon. First division.
First Army corps on sick leave; Lieut..
John WorkiSer. Nineteenth United States
infantry: Lieut.. W. Howard Panc0a>t
with Friyatos \, Il Chester and Wilson
Potter. all of Light Battery 4. Hhiladcl-
phia: James G.. Clark and Herbert Chil1s
of Troop \. New York. on furlough Ad-
Olson Kelly. L. l.. overtield Joseph
Knight and Samuel Boyle all of Battery
A. and Myron X. Stowcn. war corrC-
spondent of the PittshurS Times.
Or. Graft will remain temporarily in
Porto Rico, and will cable from time TO
time the needs of the commission in the