The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-08-16
WEST INDIA HURRICANE
Furthnr Details of the Disas.
trous Storm of Last Week.
Several Thousand Lives Lost and Fully
One Hundred thousand People Render
cd Homeless aud Are Now Suffering For
Food-one Finh of the Houses On the
Island Entirely Destroyed.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-two dis
patches from Governor General Davis
of Porto Rico giving additional details
of the fearful havoc wrought by the
hurricane of last week. were received
at the war department. They were
Immediately sent to Secretary Root.
who already has taken measures -for
1ispatchng relief to the people of the
island. The secretary expects that the
transport Mcpherson with a large
New York soon and this will be fol-
lowed by other vessels as fast as ar
rangements can be made for sending
supplies.
The secretary contemplates supple
menting the appeal made last week to
the mayors to assist in raising sub
scriptions and will issue an appeal to
the governors of the states with a
view to arousng general interest in
the relief work. The dispatches re-
ceived from General Davis were sent
to the president at Lake Champlain:
The dispatch is as follows:
THE true state of affairs throughout
the island is not yet known because Of
destruction of all telegraphic connec-
tions 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 that
one-fifth of the dwellings in the island
are totally destroyed and their owners
are without any shelter whatever, or
any food beyond what has been saved
from the debris. The coffee crop and
most of the trees are ruined and thus
reliance for support is gone. Fully
third of the people subsist entirely
on fruit and a small degree on tubas
All the former Is destroyed and much
of the latter are rotting in the ground
Many thousands of cattle were
drowned and the debris carried by the
rivers is strewn over the ocean with
the wreck of the storm and the dead
bodies of animals.
THE deaths from falling walls and
drowning will number more than a
thousand and may be several times
this number. The state of distress is
very great and when green fruits saved
from the debris are consumed. the suf-
fering will be very great. / am re-
leving the suffering everywhere within
reach as much as possible, but in out
of-the- way places are many thousands
who cannot be reached for some time
The supplies ordered sent by the gov
ernment will help much, but will last
only for a few days, while destitution
must continue for many weeks or some
months until the bananas grow up from
the ground, for which five months at
least are required.
Food of all kinds are needed, es
pecially rice, beans and Goldfish, which
have been the main support outside of
fruit Cheap cotton clothing is also
needed, for thousands rushed naked
from their dwellings at night when the
gale broke Medicines are also needed
most pressingly especially quinine and
other simple medicines
II estimate that at least 1000 tons
of food will be required weekly for sew
eral weeks / have constituted boards
all over the island to regulate assist
ance and a general board here to con-
duct the relief work. While l have not
Yet lull udld, L repeat the eStlHldte lhot
at least 100000 people are homeless and
destitute. Relief rations proposed one
pound of food per day composed Of
seven ounces of beans. seven ounces Of
rice and two ounces OF Goldfish.
I'm addition TO the food ordered by
the Mcpherson, | ask that $500 tons
above proportions, should be shipped
next week Before this is consumed. I
will have full data respecting future
needs. but ] fear extensive issues Of
provisions will be necessary for several
months. shall push work on the roads
and give employment to as many as
possible. ] hope the charitable people
of the states will contribute food,
clothes, medicines and money.
Colonel Hoffer. 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.
DAVIS"