The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-31
DAMAGE IN PORTO RICO.
Detailed Reports Show that Early Stories
We're Not Exaggerated.
IS GREATER THAN At FIRST SUPPOSED
Many People In Remote Parts or IN.
Island Are Dying for Want
OF Food.

i 'uah' he Forto hico, August IA
majority OF the largest towns and citiee
oil Porto Rico in the path OF the grea'
hurricane have been heard from and tn,
reports show that the ruin, devastation
and loss of life occasioned by the. vino
ana water are much greater than at frs,
supposed.
Major John Glenn, chief quartermaster
OF the department, who has visited 9
number of stricken cities, estimated tina,
| at least 1900 people have been killed by
falling houses and flying timbers, OF
drowned, and that 5000 have been In
jured.
| AT Ponce $50 bodies have been buried
ana 1t is certain that the complete list
IN and around the city will aggregate 400.
In Areciho 200 bodies have been recov-
cred and 700 persons are missing. 1t
is thought that several hundred bodies
were swept out to sea. 4.
Reports from the towns made by post
commanders to the adjutant general of
the department are as follows:
Humacoa, eighty-nine dead and 300
wounded. Cayay, thirty four dead and
Inc town entirely destroyed. Yabucoa
pest estimate obtainable places the num-
Der OF dead at 175. The town contained
population of only $500 and not,-a lhouse
was left standing. Guayama, all buildings
with the exception of the great cathedral
We're unroofed OF otherwise damaged;
thirty pe3)e killed Juana Diaz. five
drowned. Nuguabo, town supposed to
nave been entirely DESTROYED. Jayuada,
town swept away by the river Mamessa
thirty-eight dead.
nt1
other towns in the path of the hurricane
from which incomplete reports by native
carriers have been received and at which
loss OF life has occurred were: Pas Pie
dras, Juncas, Trujillo, Alao, Trubila,
izabela, Manuado, Quebrailles, Lares, Ha-
tho, GALES, Yuaco, Guanica, Patillas
utuado and Adjuntas.
The towns of Bayamo and Caguas in the
district of San Juan suffered greatly. Four
deaths occurred at Caguas. The large
towns of Mayaguez and Argadilla, on the
west coast, and Fajado. on the east, suf-
fered very little from the hurricane.
The property loss in the island will
amount to many millions of dollars. The
coflee ana orange crops have been entirely
ruined and all other crops have suffered
greatly. In many of the towns and viii
lagos all food supplies have been ex-
hausted and despite the fact that the
governor general and post commanders are
1
is very probable that many deaths from
starvation will occur. The coast towns
can easily be supplied by boats from the
capital, but there is little hope for tho
destitute in the remote ce.Hars. The |
wealthy natives here with few exceptions |
show little disposition to contribute TO the |
relief OF the sufferers and In a number
OF cases priests have refused to allow the |
homeless shelter in the churches.
From ,yha
stationed come glowing accounts. through |
native channels, OF their heroism and
bravery in saving lives and property. In
a number of cases the soldiers gave up
their own quarters to the sick and wound |
ed. No soldiers We're killed and at least
fifty wounded while engaged in the work
OF rescue. With the exception of two in
Prince no Americans were lost.
General Davis organized board of char
ity for the island, which will attend to
the work of distributing the contributions
for the sufferers from the hurricane.
All taxes which bear heavily on the
poor and all double taxes on non presidents
are abrogated.
marriage law is provided like those in
the United States legalizing the age OF
The poor laws are provided and The
Judges given full power to issue habeas
corpus, writs of injunctions, exc.
Foreclosure of mortgages and The re-
iemption of property are provided FIR on
he American plan. The committee re, ON
ner DIS that this code be put into effect
1t cnce by the president without waiting
or congress to legislate on tile question,
saying that the people of the island are in
listress and are still being oppressed by
he old Spanish laws.
The commission safes that tie Porto
Ricans have lost their markets in Spain
'or their coffee by reason Of increased ,
luties and the industry is now languishing
or want of an immediate market for
heir production; that many of the people
re dependent upon this industry for en-
,e distress unless coffee raisers and coffee !
Iandlers can build up a trade with !.
he United States, and it recommends that /
he government of the United States pur- I
base the coffee for our navy and army in 7
Porto Rico, which, the commission says. :
Produced as fine coffee as is found In the |
world and thus give our soldiers and sail
RS the best coffee and at the same time :
'elieye the distressed condition OF the :
'orto Rican people.
Porto Rico" says the commission, is g
ow part of the United States and the L
of home industries and the care q
our own people Is one of the recognized q
rinciples of our government" t
The commission also presented to Sec a
etary Root a joint letter setting forth i,
D an interesting manner the general con- n
! iaAs prealil.uS N Eorin- Rico the main
roblems attending the extending of Amer
,an methods, and urges the prompt action II
, relieve the distress and depression In Il
ident to the present unsatisfactory state d
affairs. 8,
AS to the need of an American system h
/ Porto Rico, the letter says: mo other d
latters demand such important and a
rompt attention to these. 1t is mat p
n of imperative necessity that these peo- q
10 be speedily relieved from their pres
ut conditions and from the system OF
OPPRESSION under which they have been
boring for hundreds OF years. horde
officers are eating up the substance OF s.
le people; the taxes gathered from every
,ssible source are not used for their
sneflt, but for their oppression ana they IA
o receiving nothing in return for the =
eat burden imposed upon them: 81
I'VE have materially reduced the num- de
II Of office holders throughout the. Is In
nd; at the same time We have given -
en- system OF greater efficiency.
The commission then outlines plan OF AZ
lblic Improvement throughout the island b
hereby people may obtain work nj
The letter says: 1.-THE people OF Porto &c
co are Industrious and are ready ana P'
Hing to work II given an opportunity. N
lere is a great field on this islana lor di