The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-14
DAVIS, APPEAL.
Country, He Says, Is In Need of Rice,
Beans and Goldfish.

DeanS ana OOdTlSn,
Washington, Aug. 13.-The following
are the dispatches received by the war
department from Gen. Davis today:
San Juan, via Hayti: The true state
Of affairs throughout the island not yet
known because OF total destruction Of
all telegraphic connections and great
destruction on all roads; not more than
one-fourth of the towns yet heard from
but enough is known to warrant the
statement chat one-fifth of the dwell
fpgs in the island are totally destroyed
and their owners without shelter what
ever, or any food beyond what has been
saved from the debris.
"a The coffee crop and most of the trees
are ruined and thus reliance for sup
port is gone. Fully one-third of the
people subsist entirely on fruit and a
small degree of tubers. All the former
is destroyed and much of the latter
are rotting in the ground. Great many
thousands of cattle are drowned and
the debris carried down by the rivers
Is strewn over the occupation with the
wreck, storm and the dead bodies of
animals.
The deaths from falling walls and
browning will number more than a
thousand and may be several times
this number. The state of distress is
very great and when green fruits saw
ed from the debris are consumed the
suffering will be very great. am re-
lieving the suffering everywhere with
IN reach as much as possible, but in
out-of-the-w places are many thous-
ands who cannot be reached for some
time. The supplies ordered sent by the
government will help much but will
last only for few days, while destitu-
tion must continue for some weeks or
even months until the bananas grow up
from the ground, for which five months
at least are required
Food of all kinds is needed, especial
" rice, beans and Goldfish, which has
Deen the main support outside of fruit
Cheap cotton clothing is also needed
Tor thousands were naked in their dwell
lings at night when the gale broke
Medicines are also needed most press
ingly, especially quinine and other
simple medicines. | estimate that at
least 1000 tons of food will be needed
weekly for several weeks. / have con-
et1tuted boards all over the island to
regulate assistance and general board
mere TO conduct the relief work. While
! have not yet full data, / repeat the
estimate that at least 100000 people are
homeless and destitute. Relief ration
proposed, one pound of food per day
composed of seven ounces of beans
Deven ounces of rice and two ounces
OF Goldfish. In addition to the food
ordered by the Mcpherson, | ask that
$500 tons, above proportions, should be
shipped next week. Before this is
consumed l will have full data respect
ing future needs, but fear extensive
Issues of provisions will be necessary
for several months. I shall push work
*on the roads and give employment to
as many as possible hope the chart.
table people Of the states will contri-
butte food clothes, medicines and mo-
ney. Col Hofer, chief surgeon of the
department, is chairman of the board
Of relief and auxiliary boards are or
ganizing in all the towns. Five mill
tary posts not yet heard from.
(Signed.) Davis.
General Davis second dispatch was
7 as follows:
San Juan. P. r., via Hayti, Aug. 49,
Further but still incomplete reports
confirm previous cable reports as con-
( servative. Suggest an appointment of
an officer in New York to receive re-
lief funds and supplies, cabling guam
titles and kind shipped on each boat.
Col. Hofers medical department is in
charge of relief work here Should he
Ehipped this week not less than $500
tons Of food. Best to be sent beans
rice and cheap grade Goldfish. Cotton
Clothing and coarse cotton goods in
piece, needles and thread also needed
Money viii be applied to assisting to
rebuild houses and huts and hire OF
help. have authorized employment Of
iabor for rebuilding barracks at Cayeya
& and Aibomao, wholly destroyed