New-York tribune., 1899-08-12
TIE WEST INDIA HURRICANE.

Although there Is some reason to fear that
the history of this weeks West India hurricane
is not yet closed. II has already made an ex-
ceptional record Up to date Porto Rico has
heen tho chief sufferer Even there the ex-
tent of the damage wrought will not he fully
and accurately known for several days. The
broad outlines of the calamity have now been
revealed however. 1t seems probable that the
loss of life may run up into the thousands.
And General Davis declares that at least 1OO,-
600 people are homeless and in pressing need
of food The conservative disposition of the
man. together with the official character Of
the communication, justifes the opinion that
he has underestmated. rather than Overesti-
mated, the situation.
Such destitution as Is here portrayed where
ever 1t existed would touch the hearts Of all
properly constituted persons. But II makes
a peculiar appeal to those who have so re-
Gently liberated Porto Rico from Spanish rule.
A nation which from considerations Of hui
manity has extended TO that island the bless
ings Of civil liberty will instinctively seek
TO render material aid in an emergency like
this. A new responsibility now rests upon
Americans. which they should he prompt to
recognize To those who may he in doubt as
TO the best method Of reaching the sufferers.
and vet desire to offer immediate relief The
Tribune offers its services gladly. All con-
tributions which are sent TO this office for the
people of Porto Rico will he promptly acknowl-
edged and forwarded.
Not only has this storm been more destruc-
tive than most of the class TO which II be-
longs. but it has come surprisingly early in tie
season. To be sure, II was preceded ten days
ago by one of the same nature, though Of In
significant violence. And only few years
have elapsed since the United States gunboat
Yantic was obliged to take refuge from
similar hurricane in July. She was engaged In
blowing up dereicts off the Carolina coast at
the time. Usually. however. the pioneer hur-
rcane makes It's appearance late IN August or
early in September. The famous storm of 1oS1'
which did so much damage at Charleston as
sailed that city on August % and "A. The only
notable disturbance of this class in the west
Indies last year visited Barbados, st. Vincent
and Lucia on September IL. And occasionally
October arrives before the season opens. IL
is an interesting coincidence that typhoOns,
which are identical in character with West
India hurricanes developed in Asiatic waters
unusually early this year. Several OF them
have already been reported from the Philip
pines where they have embarrassed military
operations to a considerable extent.
Many West India storms after they get
within the range of observation, continue 10
move nearly due westward for several hundred
miles before curving away TO the northwest,
north and northeast. 1t Is thus possible for
them TO pass south Of the Greater Antilles,
and either strike the coast of Yucatan or enter
the Gulf of Mexico But this latest representa-
tive of the family had already acquired
northwesterly course when it first struck the
I.eeward Islands Monday night. From Do
mlnica. the first 10 suffer to Turks Island,
where its effects were felt forty-eight
hours later, the storm seems TO have followed
an almost straight line. And although the
diameter Of the hurricane does not appear TO
have exceeded one hundred miles in the earlier
stages Of It's history. the route which It pursued
lay right through a region well strewn with
islands. Practically the whole Of Porto Rico
| came within its influence.