Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-08-12
UNITED STATES TO SEND AID
RELIEF STEAMER WILL SAIL FROM
NEW YORK MONDAY.
Secretary of War Root Issues an APP
peal to Mayors of All Large Cit
ies-TwO Hundred Bodies
Have Been Recovered
Mt Ponce.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-The war de-


the relief of the hurricane sufferers in
Porto Rico. When the press dispatches and
General Davis advices made known the ex-
tent of the disaster, steps were immedi-
ately taken to send supplies, and the
transport Mcpherson was ordered put in
readiness to sail from New York on Mon
day next She will carry rations and other
necessaries. Secretary of War Root this
| afternoon sent the following appeal to the
mayors of all cities Of more than 10000
| population:
''Sfr:-The governor general Of Porto
Rico confirms the report that, upon the Sth
inst. a hurricane swept over that island,
entirely demolshins many of the towns.
destroying many lives, and reducing, so
4 far as he can estimate not less than 10000
of the inhabitants TO the condition of alb
solute destitution, without homes food
| Unless immediate and effective relief is
given these unfortunates, they will perish
of famine. Under these conditions, the
president deems that an appeal should be
made to the humanity of the American peo-
pie. 1t is an appeal to their patriotism
also, for the inhabitants of Porto Rico
have freely and gladly submitted them
selves TO the guardianship of the United
States, and have voluntarily surrendered
the protection of Spain. to which they were
formerly entitled, confidently relying upon
more generous and benefcent treatment at
our hands. The highest considerations of
honor and good faith unite with the
promptings of humanity to require from
the United States generous response to
the demand of Porto Rican distress.
This department has directed the i'm
mediate distribution of rations to the suf-
ferers by the army in Porto Rico, SO far
as it is within the power of the executive,
but in the absence of any appropriation
We must rely largely upon private con-
tributions.
Il beg that you will call upon the pub
lie spirited and humane people of your
city to take active and immediate measures
, in this eXigency. The government transport
Mcpherson will be sent directly from the
port of New York to Porto Rico on Mon
day, the 14th inst, to carry all supplies of
food which can be obtained. Further,
transports will be sent at future dates, of
which public notice will be given.
ANY committee charged with the rails
ing of funds will receive full information
and advice upon communicating with this
department. Very respectfully,
"ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War"
Acting Commissary General Weston has
| ordered the purchase in New York of 6o9,-
, 600 pounds of rice and 100000 pounds OF
I | utduS " Dc SIipDeu Ou Tie III.
! report has been received at the wal
r department from an officer at San Juan
Porto Rico, estimating that the number OF
killed amounted to 500.
General Schwan to-day received the fol
( lowing appeal by cable:
5 San Juan De Porto Rico, Aug. 10.
my country is devastated. For God:
sake help us. CAPTAIN LUGo VIVA"
Lugo Vina is one of the Porto Rican:
whom General Schwan met during the
campaign.
PONCE, Aug. 1.-THE worst storm eve
experienced here struck this place Tuesda!
! morning at o'clock and lasted two hours
> It came from the northeast. Ponce wa
II flooded at midnight and at least 800 per
{ sons were drowned.
! Two hundred bodies, mostly those of poo
e people, and including many children, hav
e been recovered.
T All the buildings are damaged and hun
. dreds have been destroyed.
The soldiers and firemen worked all night
heroically saving lives.
electric light
It The commissary stores at Playa were de
Is stroyed, the city is short of food and tn
y army officers are distributing rations.
n Fifteen vessels in the harbor were drive
Is ashore. g..
ie The weather bureau predicted the storm
l. but it Is claimed Ponce was not warned.
er A mob of 1,00O persons threatened tn
'e aIcade, Porrata Doria, but they were dis
persed by the Fifth cavalry. The alcad
has been deposed on account of negligence
Major Myers, of the Eleventh lnfantry,
: acting as alcade in response to popular de
- mand.
( The sum of 5000 will be needed to clea
l. the streets The sanitary condition Is sc
If rious and assistance is needed.
N All the crops are totally ruined, The wire
ID are all down and little news Is obtainabl
Is from the interior.
r Abonita, including the barracks, has bee
DESTROYED: but no lives were lost there.
Juan DiaZ has been devastated. Forty
six lives were los. there
Arroyo. Guamamo, Salinas and san lss
- bel are reported to have been totally de
The railroad between Ponce and Yauc
as has been destroyed and the military roa
he | is impa ssable. The river is flowing owe
i'd the road for two miles.
v Mayaguez escaped serious injury. Ba
nanas are the sole food here.
The poems have gone to San Juan an
its vicinity, which are comparatively III
lie San JUAN DE PORTO RICO. Aug. IL;
pit Arroto, on the south coast. has been d.
iy stroyed, sixteen lives were lost there, an
r the town is still submerged in water.
ge At Guayamo the houses are still standln
ry Seven persons were killed there. A nun
ber of houses were pillaged, squads of so
diers were unable to maintain order an
a. starvation threatens the population
The water supply of San Juan has pee
ID stopped The Coamo Springs hotel has pee
en- wrecked. 1t belonged to the Porto Rit
no Company. of Philadelphia
ed ,-- ..au ,,r -, nnvnR