New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-16
AMONG THE PORTO RICANS
WOMANs AID SOCIETY ORGANIZED TO
HELP THE DESERVING POOR.
ARMY AND NAVY WOMEN UNITE IN HUMANE
TARTAN WORK ASSISTED BY NATIVES
wAsHINGTON's BIRTHDAY ON
THE IsLANT

On February p there appeared in THE San Juan
News" of San Juan. Porto Rico, the following an
nouncement
Mrs Henry presents t her compliments and desires
at o'clock. 10 assist in organizing an association
OF ladies TO help the poor of San Juan.
In response to this invitation the most promi-
nent OF the Army and Navy women and tho repre-
sentative Porto Rcan assembled in the
grand salon Of the Palace the appointed day.
Mrs Henry. IN opening the meeting. said that she
could answer for the regard which every Army
woman felt for the poor and needy; that In times
past many comforts and necessities OF their
homes had been given up the poor Indian chill
dren and women and that in the new land TO
which they had come they could not listen
to cry of distress and fail to DO something
lieve It.
she explained the need there of organized
work. and said that the society formed would
be wholly non-sectaran. all denominations joining
together in the effort help the unfortunate. Mrs.
Henry expressed the appreciation the Americans
felt for the cooperation given by the Porto Rcan
women who had willingly come forward to aid
the stranger in a strange land and said their ad
vice would be OF great assistance
Colonel Hon made appropriate remarks.
following Mrs Henrys address. The members OF
the Executive Committee, besides Mrs. Henry. were
Mrs Grant Mrs. Hon Mrs Muro. Mrs. Luga
VIVA Mrs. Traub and Mrs. Brechmin
ton in the island OF Porto Rico is the "WOmans
Aid Society" The charmen and assistant chair
men OF committees appointed. 4 room FOR
meeting has been secured in the Athen@um club,
in Plaza Principal
AS stated briefly in the minutes recorded by 8:
b. Brechmn. secretary pro tenn, the OBJECT or
the society Is 20 give immediate assistance 10 the
very poor and 10 carry brightness into the dark
ened lives OF those who suffering from illness or
first conference called. ore at the home or
Colonel John Van r. HOn and the other at the
rooms chosen the regular home Of the society.
Another occasion interesting TO the Americans In
San Juan. which occurred the same week was the
celebration Of Washngton's Birthday. All the
schools of the city celebrated the day. In the morn
ing Of February % eight hundred children assem-
bled in the large plaza. and marched TO the prn-
cipal theatre, where they occupied the pit or par
quet. and other visitors were seated IN the gal
eries The entertainment given musical and
dramatic. tableaux wants being one OF the most
interesting features. Army and Navy men took
part
Liberation of Porto Rico" Pupils from the GirlS
Normal School sang "America as the closing num-
Der Of the programme.
On the evening of that day what IS described as
"a splendid entertainment in honor Of the annver-
sary of WaShingtOn's birth" held by the
Ateneo Puertorqueno a society Of arts and litera-
ture Prominent officials from all parts of the ISL
and with their wives and families. attended the
function. The passengers from the steamer Maria
Herrera arrived in time 20 enjoy these festivities.
Many Of them belong 10 that party from Onto
which is making a tour of the possessions IN
the West Indies. They are most Of them from
Dayton. and there IS almost equal number OF
men and women among them.