The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-30
PORTO RICO CONDITIONS
Work of the National Re-
Lief Association Needs
of Our 10000 Men.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Aug. 80, 1885,
The yacht May, which arrived in this
city today from Porto Rico, via Newport
News, brought the report of the represen-
tatives of the National Relief Commits
sion, ex-Minister to Italy VIM. Potter,
VIM. Van Russelaer. Louis c. Vanuxen
and DR. 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 loan
ed to the Government by Mrs. Van Rens-
slaer, left this city on August q, ana
reached Ponce, Porto Rico, August H.
The report states that the commissioners
reported to General Miles and were by
him referred to Colonel Greenleaf, Chief
Surgeon of tho army IN the field.
Colonel Greenieaf ordered the millions
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 headquarters of the army in Porto
Rico.
After giving details of the distribution
of the supplies. the report says
I'm almost every instance we found
the army surgeons most anxious to have
at their disposition money for the pur-
chase of needed luxuries for the sick
such as fresh milk, ice (When obtainable)
and canned goods and we are happy to
report that in every case we have been
able to meet the demands made upon us.
ssThere are about 5000 American SOL
diers in Porte Rico, and on the day Of our
departure, August q, there were over
1000 men on the sick list. OF this NUM-
Der one-half were cases requiring prompt
and careful treatment. There was a
large number of typhoid cases, but on the
22d inst. this disease was not on the in
crease-a fact which indicated that tile
malady had been carried from the camps
at home and not indigenous to Porto Rico.
However, there was a very large increase
in diarrhoea, dysentery,, dengue. or
n he hot i1fbHalfhN
just commencing, which causes the water
supply to be filed with malarial germs
from the constant decayirg vegetation.
All medical authorities IN the army in
Porto Rico agree that the sick list is in
creasing and that an alarming condition
may be expected. unless the War Depart
ment promptly arranges barracks for the
army of occupation and Immediately pro-
vides additional transports (the hospital
ship Relief being insufficienD to remove
such of the sick as can be safely trans
ferred home, the conyalescents and those
enervated by climatic conditions 1t is
impossible for men from a northern eli
mate to reeuperate in q tropical country
during its most unheaithful season.
'sIn 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 roof.
the medical department could not secure
ment had been most carefully selected,
containing many useful ARTICLES not sup
Piled in the hospital equipment of the
United States Army.
I'VE cabled to the National Relief Com
mission on the 22d inst. to forward to
Porto Rico a consignment OF light gro
ceries, such as condensed cream. cereals,
canend soup. clam broth ETC.: also paja-
mas and underclothing, all Of which are
much needed in the hospitals, and are not
obtainable in the island
-. 31+r.~ fx,S<
General Miles thanking the commissions
ers on behalf of the army for the SUP
plies and for a big consignment of Amer
lean flags: also letter from Colonel
Greenleaf expressing thanks for the gift
Of an ice-malSing machine in which he
says
faction with which the results of this
donation will be received by the sick.
Ice, in this country, is an expensive lux
| ury, costing $50 per ton In Porto Rican
money. which neeessitates the exercise
| of rigid economy on the part Of our medi-
| cal officers in its use. To have the out
| put of such a machine at our disposal is
a blessing the benefits of which can only
| be appreciated by those who have served
| in those hospitals
In addition to three of the National Re-
lief Commissioners the following officers
| and men returned on tho Alay.-CoIonel
| General. United States Army; Colonel
| John Biadle. of General Wilson'S staff,
WHO WIKI Ndfldfn sfldFENa AiVdfi fftaiI ot
the Sixteenth Pennsylvania and Lieuten-
amt M. Ful1ington. also of General
| Wilson's staff, are commissioned by that
| commander to present TO the President Of
| the United States the Royal Spanish en-
| sign, captured August g. la the en-
gager8ent at Goano: Hon. James
| Woicott Wadsworth, Congressman from
the Thirtieth New York district: Major
| Clayton Parkhill, chief surgeon Firsl
| Division. First Army Corps, on sick leave
Lieutenant John Worlizer. Nineteensl !
u S. Infantry: Lieutenant " Howard
| Pancoast. with Private A. r. Chester and
| Wilson Potter all of Light Battery a
| her Childs Of Troop A, New York or
| furlough. Addison Kelly, r. e. Gverdield
| Joseph Knight and Samuel BOYLE. all ol
correspondent. Pittsburg Times
DR., Graf will remain temporarily III
| Porto Rico, and will cable from time t
time the needs Of the commission ID tht
Islands.