Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-08-12
RELIEF OF STORM SUFFERERS.
War Department. Takes Prompt Action.
100000 without Homes or Food.

war Department Takes Prompt Action.
100000 without Homes or Food.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The War
Department today TOOK prompt meas
ureS FOR the relief of the hurricane suf-
lerers in Porto Rico. When the press
dispatches and General Davis adviccs
made known the extent Of the dssos,cr
Steps We're immediately taken to send
supplies and The transport Mcpherson
WAS ordered put in readiness to sail
from New York Monday next. she will
carry ratlons and other neceissarcs.
SECN ROOFS APPEAL
Secretary OF War Root this afternoon
sent the following appeal To the mavors
81 all cities OF more than $50 900 ;,opu-
latinn:
Sir: The governor general Of Porto
RICO confirms the report that upon the
Sth instant Il hurricane swept over y, !,
| island entirely demolshing MANY OF Inc
towns, destroying many lives ana ~
uuclnS as Tar as can be estnra ted, not
Tess IMAM one hundred thousand VI the.
| ihhabltants TO the condition OF abSp,,y1 {.
restitution Without homes or food I'm
less immediate and effective relief is
given. these unfortunate peoDle Will
perish of famine
Under these conditions the President
deems that an appeal should be made 10
5he humanity Of the American peop,e.
~ IS an appeal to their patriotism also.
iof the inhabitants of Porto Rico hay,.
freely and gladly submitted themselves
70 the guardianship OF the United STATES
ana nave voluntarily surrendered ne
protection q Spain. 10 which they wer.
ul'oi more generous and beniicent
treatment at our hands
SHOULD ACT GENEROUSLY
ne highest consideration OF honor
and good faith unite with the p;.om,,.-
ln2s OF humanity to require from inc
,i''rG States generous response 10
the demand Of Porto Rican distress;
Ihls department has direeteu rE..
immediate distribution Of ratons 10 III 5
sufferers ny the army in Porto Res.
as Tar as ii is within the power Of ;lle
executive but in the absence OF any an
preparation we must rely largely upon
private contributions.
II beg that YOU will call ulr,;, 1n,a
put'lc spirited and humane people OF
Sour cltN 10 take active and immt,liato
measures in this eXigency The gov
rfnnent transport ,McPherSon' viii b.
sent directly from the port OF New Yark
! to Porto Rico on Monday. thu. llth ine1
10 carry all Supplies Of food which can
pc obtained. Further 1r;n:sparls vii,
be sent at future dates. OF which public
notice will be given.
Any committee charged with the
raising 81 funds will receive full intor
nation and advice upon communicative
With This department.
Very Respectfully.
'ErI-IIiIi ROOT.
Secretary of War"
tABLlst;RAM FROM GEN. DAVIS.
lhe cablcgram from General Davis.
giving fuller details of the damage
done in Porto Rico by the hurricane.
says:
Later reports show that the hurri
cane was far more severe in interior ana
southern part of island than here Data
Tor eStimatc Of number Of Porto Ricans
who have lost everything is detiri,.n,
but am forced to believe the number
on the island cannot fall below on,
hundred thousand souls and :, famine is
ln!pt ndins ask that that two ana
one-nalf million pounds of lir,. ara
Deans, equal quantities of each b. inn
mediately shipped on transports /,
PONCE. Some here. Urgent aplreals 10
az post commanders for food for the
destitute. Am / authorized TO relieve.
distress py TODD issues; rice and beans
only desired. There have been many
deaths of natives by falling walls. So
tar only one soldier reported dangerous
y injured. Several towns reported en-
tirely demolished. AS yet have reports
from only -four posts. Complete lestrilc
lion OF all barracks destroyed Troops
are in canvas. no reports yer from ,1,a
largest ports, Ponce and Mayayuez
but they We're in the vortex ~ M,
storm. At least half Of the neon,.. liz ~,
Porto Rico subsst entirely on fruit ana
vegetables. and storm has entirely de-
stroyed this source OF support
(signem DAVIS"
FIVE HUNDRED KILLED.
= report mas been received at the war
department from an officer at san Juan
estimating THAT the number Of killed
amounts to 800. The same officer saws
Very serious condition of affairs ny
,sts at Ponce