Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-15
APPEALS TO THE GOVERNORS
Secretary Root Asks Aid for the
Stricken Porto RicanS.

Stricken Porto RicanS.
LATER REPORTS SHOW THE SIT
UATION TO BE MUCH WORSE
THAN WAS AT FIRST SUPPOSED
STEAMERS PROVIDED TO CAR
RY RELIEF FROM NEW YORK
TO THE DEVASTATED ISLAND
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT TO
LEND ALL POSSIBLE AID-EX-
SECRETARY ALGER SENDS A
CONTRIBUTION.
WASHINGTON. August 1.-THE
Secretary of War this afternoon. issued
the following appeal to Governors OF
States for aid for the storm sufferers in
Porto Rico:
"Sir:-I enclose herewith copies of
two Geographic dispatches received last
evening from the Governor General OF
Porto Rico, by which it appears that
the devastation wrought by the recent
hurricane in that island is even greater
than was at first supposed. 1t is evil
dent that great multitude OF peopls
rendered utterly destitute by this awful
calamity must be fed and cared for dur
ing considerable period until they can
have the opportunity to produce food
for themselves. Enormous quantities
OF supplies of the kinds indicated by
the Govefhor General must be procur-
ed
"The magnitude OF the work to be
accomplished leads this department to
supplement the appeal already made to
the mayors of the principal States OF
the country, by a more general appeal
and | beg you to ask the people Of your
State to contribute generoE<sy to ths
relief OF Porto Rico.
Swift steamers have been provided
to leave the port of New York to carry
the supplies direct to Porto Rico as
rapidly as they can be collected
Contributions should be either In
supplies of the character indicated, or
in money in order that the supplies can
be purchased. The supplies should be
sent to Col. f. B. Jones. Army Build
ing, Foot of Whitehall street, New York
City, in packages plainly marked:
Porto Rican Relief" and he should be
consulted az to the time of shipment
Money should be sent to the Ma
tional Bank OF North America, New
York City, which has been designated
as a depository for the relief fund.
Very Respectfully,
"ELIHU ROOT.
Secretary of War"
Secretary Of the Navy Allen to-day
wrote Secretary Root that the navy
desired TO cooperate in every way it
could in rendering assistance to the
storm stricken people of Porto Rico.
and rendering a warship to be placed
at the disposal of the War Department
If 1t was desired TO convey supplies TO
the island. The offer doubtless will
be accepted, as every available means
Is being adopted TO hurry along the
great stock OF supplies which is inn
peratively needed.
Secretary Root received the follow.
ing dispatch to-day:
Grand Mere Quebec. Aug. IA.
Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary OF War,
Washington
Il forward you to-day one hundred
dollars for Porto Rico relief fund.-
(Signed) ''R A. ALGER."
Secretary Root replied:
Gen. r. A. Alger, Grand Mere, Quebec
Thanks for your generous contri-
button to Porto Rican relief. trust
your are rapidly regaining your
health.'
(Signed) "ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary OF War"
The committee organized In Wash
ington to secure and forward relief to
the people Of Texas have decided to
give way entirely to the Porto Ricans
and will solicit no more aid for Texas.
BY direction Of the President all OF
the relief supplies sent 70 Porto Rico
will be admitted to all ports OF that
island free OF duty.
The war department has received the
following telegram from the New York
and Porto Rico Steamship Company,
and requests that this dispatch be pub
lished generally by papers throughout
the United States:
Steamer Evelyn. Of the New York
and Porto Rico Steamship Company
sailing from this port on Friday. Au-
gust 18th. for Ponce direct. will take
all relief supplies We have room for free
Of charge. Steamer Mae. sailing August
81, will do the same. !"
These vessels will take from 200 TO
500 tons Of supplies each, and the ship
ments for them should be marked RE-
lief Supplies" and should be properly
packed and delivered at the pier OF
the steamship company referred 10.
Empire stores, Brooklyn. on or before
noon. Wednesday, August fth.
Assistant Secretary Of War Meikle-
John has placed bovine animals for i'm
mediate consumption and all agricui-
rural machinery on the free list Of the
island of Porto Rico.