The record-union., 1899-08-31
IN AID OF PORTO RICAAs.
GOVERNOR GAGE ASKS RELIEF
FOR SUFFERERS.
Appalling Devastation Wrought
by the Recent Life-Destroying
Storm in West Indies.

Governor Gage yesterday issued a
proclamation in the nature Of an ap-
peal to the people of the State in be-
half of the sufferers of Porto Rico. Fol-
| lowing is the full text of the document:
PROCLAMATION.
Executive Department, State of CAL
ifornia, Sacramento, August %, 1899.
To the People of California: Where
as, 1 have received an urgent COM
munication from the Hon Elihu Root.
Secretary of War, requesting an ap-
peal to the people of this State to con-
tribute money and supplies in aid Of the
destitute people of Porto Rico, whose
sad condition is due to recent hurri-
canes devastating the island. The dis
tressed condition of the inhabitants of
Porto Rico may be understood by the
following passage from a dispatch
transmitted by the Governor General
of Porto Rico, dated August 13, 1899,
to the Secretary of War, viz:
"The true state of affairs through
out the island not yet known because
of total destruction of all telegcaphic
connection and great destruction OF all
roads Not more than fourth
towns yet heard from, but enough is
known to warrant the statement that
one-fifth the dwellings in the island are
| totally destroyed, and their owners are
without any shelter whatever, or any
food beyond what has been saved from
the debris. The coffee crop and most
of the trees are ruined, and thus reli-
ance for support is gone. Fully one
third of the people subsist entirely on
fruit, and to a small degree on tubas.
all the former are destroyed, and much
of the latter are rotting in the ground.
Many thousand of cattle are drowned,
and the debris carried down by the
rivers, and is strewn over the ocean
with the wreck of the storm and the
dead bodies of animals.
THE death from falling walls and
drowning will number more than
thousand, and may be several times
this number. The state of distress is
very great, and when green fruits saved
from the debris are consumed the suf-
fering will be very great. I am re-
lieving suffering everywhere within
reach as much as possible, but in out
of-the-way places are many thousands
who cannot be reached for some time.
The supplies ordered sent by the Gov
ernment will help much but will last
only for a few days, while destitution
must continue for many weeks or some
months, until the bananas grow up
from the ground, for which five months
as least are required. Food of all kinds
is needed, especially rice, beans, and
Goldfish, which have been the main sup
port outside of fruits. Cheap cotton
clothing is also needed, for thousands
rushed naked from their dwellings at
night when the gale broke. Medicines
are also needed most pressingly, es
pecially quinine and other simple medi-
cines. / estimate that at least 1000
tons Of food will be required weekly fer
several weeks"
We should remember that Porto Rico
is now American territory, and that it's
inhabitants are under the protection of
our flag, and it is but due to them to
show that we as a Christian people are
not wanting in the charity which
Christian education inculcates.
1 do therefore appeal to the people
of the State of California, in the name
of Christian humanity, to come to the
aid of this starving people.
l recommend that the Boards of Su-
pei loOLo VI IIlC OCNCId oil COullti0S Ol lllIS
State, and the Mayors and Councils of
our several cities, appoint committees
to collect money and to obtain supplies,
and to take such necessary action as
will most promptly facilitate the char
liable purpose Of assisting the unhappy
people in their great misfortune.
L also appeal to the individual citizen
to cooperate in this necessary and hu-
name work.
The Secretary of War has directed
that contributions should be either in
supplies of the character indicated, or
in money, in order that the supplies can
be purchased. The supplies should De
sent to Colonel F. B. Jones, Army
Building, foot Of Whitehall street, New
York City, in packages plainly marked
Porto Rican Relief and should be
consulted as to time of shipment
Money should be sent to the National
Bank of North America, New York
City, which has been designated as
depository for the relief fund
In witness whereof, l have hereunto
set my hand and caused the great seal
Of this State to be hereunto affixed.
this 18th day of August, A D. 1899
HENRY T. GAGE,
Governor of the State of California.
Attest: c. F. Curry, Secretary of
State