The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-08-18
Storm at Ponce More Disastrous
Than at First Reported.
A FAMINE ALREADY PREVAILS
Secretary of War Elihu Root
Makes Appeal to People of the
United States for Assistance.

dispatches received friday from
Porto Rico indicate that the West In
dian hurricane of Tuesday was more
disastrous .han was at first reported.
II is stated that at least 800 persons
were drowned. Two hundred bodies,
mostly those of poor people, and in
Guiding many children, have been re-
covered. All the buildings are dam
aged and hundreds have been de-
stroyed.
The soldiers and fremen worked all
night heroically saving lives. There is
no drinking water, gas, ice or electric
light.
The commissary stores at Playa we're
destroyed; the city is short of food and
the army officers are distributing ra-
tions. Fifteen vessels in the harbor
were driven ashore.
The weather bureau predicted the
storm, but it is claimed Ponce was not
warned.
A mob of 900 persons threatened
the alcalde, Porrah Doria, but the
crowd was dispersed by the Fifth cav
airy. The alcalde has been deposed on
account of negligence. Major Myers
of the Eleventh infantry, is acting as
alcalde, in response to popular de-
mand.
The sum of S., 900 will be needed to
clean the streets. The sanitary con-
dition is serious and assistance is
needed.
All the crops are totally ruined, the
wires are all down and little news is
obtainable from the interior.
Aibonito, including the barracks,
has been destroyed, but no lives were
lost there. Juan Diaz has been de-
vastated. Forty-six lives were lost
there. Arroyo, Guayama, Salinas and
San Isabel are reported to have been
totally demolished.
The railroad between Ponce and
Yaucao has been destroyed and the
military road is impossible. The river
is flowing over the road for two miles.
Secretary of war Takes Action.
The war department at Washington
took prompt measures Friday for the
relief of hurricane sufferers In Porto
Rico. When the press dispatches and
General Davis's advices made known
the extent of the disaster, steps were
Immediately taken to send supplies,
and the transport Mcpherson at New
York was ordered put in readiness to
carry rations and other necessaries to
Porto Rico. Secretary of War Root
Friday afternoon sent out an appeal
70 the mayors of all cities of more
than 10000 population in which he
says;
"SIR-The governor generalof Porto
Rico confirms the report that upon the
8th instant a hurricane swept over
that island, entirely demolishing
many lives and reducing, SO far as he
can estimate, not less than 100, 200 of
the inhabitants to the condition of a5-
solute restitution, without homes or
food. Unless immediate and effective
relief is given these unfortunates will
perish of famine.
This department had directed the
immediate distribution of rations to
the sufferers by the army in Porto
Rico, so far as it is in the power of the
executive, but in the absence of any
appropriation, we must rely largely
upon private contributions.
81 beg that you will call upon the
public spirited and humane people of
your city to take active and immediate
measures in this exigency.
"Any committee charged with the
raising of funds will receive full infor-
nation and advice upon communicate
ing with this department. Very re-
spectfully, EL1HU RooT,
Secretary of War. :"
report has been received Of the
war department from an officer at San
Jran, Porto Rico, estimating that the