The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-15
ROOT APPEALS
TO AMERICANS.
HUNDRED THOUSAND PORTO ri.
CANS ARE STARVING.
No Funds arc acknowledgements cut nj ust
Rely Oh Generosity OF Pubic for Relief
SO Sorely Needed In Devastated
Island.

department today took prompt meas
ures for the relief Of tho hurricane
sufferers in Puerto Rico. Wheu the
press dispatches and Con. Davis adj
vices made known the extent Of tho
disaster steps were immediately
taken to send supplies, and the
transport MCPHERSON was ordered
put in readiness to sail from New
York next Monday. She will carry
rations and other neccssares Sec
retary Of War Root this afternoon
sent the following appeal to the
mayors Of all cities of more than
100000 population:
Sir: The governor general of
Puerto Rico confirms tho report that
upon the 9Th instant q hurricane
swept over that island, entirely de-
stroying many lives and reducing, as
far as can be estimated, not less than
one hundred thousand Of the inhab-
itants to the condition Of absolute
destitution, without homes or food.
Unless immediate effective relief Is
given, these unfortunate people will
perish of famine.
Under these conditions, the Presi-
dent deems that an appeal should bo
made to the humanity Of the Ameri-
can people. 1t is an appeal to their
patriotism also, for the inhabitants
of Puerto Rico have freely and glad
ly submitted themselves to the guar
dianship Of the United States, and
have voluntarily surrendered the
protection of Spain, to which they
were formerly entitled, confidently
relying upon moro generous and
beneficlont treatment at our hands.
The highest consideration of honor
and good faith unite with the prompt
ings of humanity to require from the
United States a generous response to
the demand of Puerto Rican dis
tress.
This department has directed the
Immediate distribution Of rations to
tho sufferers by the army in Puerto
Rico rs far as it is within the power
Of the executive, but, in tho absence
of any appropriation, we must rely
upon private contributions.
| beg that you will call upon the
public spirited and humane people
of your city to take active and i'm
mediate measures in this exigency.
The government transport Mcpherson
will be sent directly from the port of
Now York to Puerto Rico on Monday,
tho l4th instant, to carry al! sup
plies Of food which can be obtained
d Further transports will be sent ut
dates, of which public notice
given.
12sS' |S1sS' committee charged with the
of funds will receive full in
and advice upon commun-
|sS1 with this department.
Very respectfully,
sY Elihu Root,
IESaH Secretary Of War.
~ The cablegram from Gen. Davis,
giving fuller details of the damage
done in Puerto Rico by the hurri-
cane, says:
"Later reports show that the hur-
ricane was far more severe in interior
and southern part Of island than
here. Data for estimate of number
Puerto Ricans who have lost every
thing is deficient, but I am forced to
believe the number on tho island
cannot fall below ono hundred
thousand souls, and falnne is i'm
pending. [ ask that two and one
half million pounds rice and beans,
equal quantities of each, be imme-
diatoly shipped for food to Ponce.
Some here. Urgent appeals to all
post commanders for food for the
destitute. Am | authorized to re-
lieve distress by food issues? Rice
and beans orly desired. There have
been many deaths of natives by fall.
ing walls. So far only ono soldier
reported dangerously injured. Sev.
eral towns reported entirely demol-
ished, As yet have reports from
only four ports. Complete dostruc-
ton of all barracks. Troops are in
canvass. No reports yet from the
largest ports, Ponce and Mayaguoz,