Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-08-17
AN APPEAL Fon A..


Root Asks Assistance o..
sufferers. .'' Porto als
Washington, Agu. l4.-rb. y,
part;nent to-day took promp, m sa'as
for the relief of the hurricane . ass
in Porto Rico. When the n' 'aasl re-
patches and Generl Davis ~, sI, w.
made known the extent Of ,hs sl'Na
ter, steps were Immediately t...s
send supplies. and the transuo,, '' " .
Pherson was ordered put in rs.,; NC
to sail from New York at onc o''D Y
will carry grains and other pecs. .. SN
The secretary Of war thi. af, 1,"'s'
sent the following appeal to thu m.s.''
OF cities OF more than $50. 900 Do rs%'
ton: Fpua'
"Sir-The goveinor.gener.l q, Dr..
Rico confirms the report that uno .' ~
Sth inst. hurricane swept oy .,A w., ,as
island. entirely demolishing man, ~, a
the towns. destroying many lives ,' "
reducing, so near as he can es,im., a'
not less than 100000 Of the iDbss
itants to the condition Of absolute d.'
titution. without homes and fool
UNLESS immediate and effective y.
lief is given to these uniortunates tb.,
will perish. Under these condition:
the president deems that an auDs,'
should be made to the humanity II H.
American people. 1t is an appeal IA
their patriotism also, for the iph,b
itants of Porto Rico have freely and
gladly submitted themselves TO n,
guardianship OF the United States AMI
have voluntarily surrendered the um
lection Of Spain, to which thew van
formerly entitled. confidently Kelvin,
upon more generous and benedcep
treatment at our hands. The hiQbs
considerations OF honor and poud fail
unite with the promptings Of human
ity to require from the United Stat,
a generous response to the demand
Porto Rico in distress.
'This department has directed III
immediate distribution OF rations 10 tb
sufferers by the army in Porto Ric
so far as it is within the power Of Ii
executive, but in the absence Of any a.
preparation we must rely largely up
private contributions.
81 beg you will call upon the publi
spirited and humane people Of yol
city to take active and immeds
measures in this exigency. The 90
eminent transport Mcpherson will
sent directly from the port Of NJ
York to Porto Rico to carry all 81
plies of food which can be obtain.
Further transports will be sent at I
ture dates, of which public notice VI
be given. Any committee charged vi
the raising of funds will receive Il
information and advice upon comm
nicating with this department. Yol
respectfully, "ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary Of War. II
The war department today Iecei'
a cablegram from General Davis,
ing fuller details of the damage d.
in Porto Rico by the hurricane:
Later reports show the hurricI
was far more severe in the inter
and southern part OF the island Il
here. Data for an estimate Of
number of Porto Ricans who have
everything is deficient, but am for
to believe the number on tile ISL
cannot fall below 100000 souls
famine is impending. | ask
100000 pounds OF rice and bel
equal in quantity each, be immed
ly shipped on transports to Ponce
some here. Urgent appeals come 10
post commanders for food for the de
tute. Am | authorized to relieve
tress 10y food issues? Rice and DC
only are desired.
"There have been many deatl
natives by falling walls. So Tar,
one soldier is repoted dangerous!
jured. Several towns are reported
tirely demolished. AS yet we have
ports from only four ports; comp
destruction of all the barracks al
and at two others one COMPANY
had their barracks destroyed. M
ports yet come from the largest p
but they were in the vortex OF
storm. At least half OF the peop'
Porto Rico subsist entirely on flul'
vegetables, and the storm has emil
destroyed this source OF support
A report has been received az
war department from an offcer o!
Juan. Porto Rico, estimating ths'
number of killed amounts to 50O'
same officer says a very serious "
ton of affairs exists in Ponce,