Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-14
FOOD FOR PORTO RlCANS
Gen. Davis Asks for the Prompt Shipment of
$500 Tons.
The Coffee Crop Rufned-One-Fifth of
the Dwellings on the Is
land Destroyed.

Two dispatches from Governor General
Davis Of Porto Rico giving additional de-
tails of the fearful havoc wrought by the
hurricane of last week We're received at the
War Department yesterday.
The first was as follows: The true state
of affairs throughout the island is not yet
known because of the total destruction of
ali telegraphic connections and great de-
struction on all roads. Not more than one
fourth of the towns are as yet heard from,
but enough is known to warrant the state
ment that one-ffth of 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 reliance
for support is gone. Fully one-third of the
people subsist entirely on fruit. and a small
degree on tubas All the former is de-
stroyed, and much of the latter are rot
ting in the ground. Great many thousands
OF cattle are drowned, and the debris car
ried down by the rivers is strewn over the
ocean with the wreck of the storm and the
dead bodies of animals The deaths 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 consumed the suffering
will be very great.
Work of Relief.
II am relieving the suffering everywhere
within reach as much as possible. but In
cut of the way places are many thousands
who cannot be reached for some time. The
Supplies ordered sent by the government
will help much, but will last only for a few
days. while restitution must continue for
many weeks. or some months. until the
bananas grow up from the ground, for
which five months at least are required.
Food of all kinds is needed. especially
nd fich y.hi lob hos hxa. he
main support outside of fruit. Cheap cot
ton clothing is also needed, for thousands
rushed naked from their dwellings at night
when the gale broke. Medicines are also
needed most pressingly. especially quinine
and other simple medicines. l estimate
that at least 1.ooo tons of food will be re-
CURED weekly for several weeks. | have
constituted boards all over the island to
regulate assistance, and a general board
here TO conduct the relief work. While
have not yet full data. | repeat the esti-
mate that at least 100.oOO people are home
less and destitute. The relief ration pro-
posed consists of one pound of food per
Gay. composed of seven ounces of beans.
seven ounces OF rice and two ounces of
Goldfish. In addition TO the food ordered by
the Mcpherson. L ask that $500 tons
(above proportions should be shipped next
week. Before this is consumed | will have
fun data respecting future needs. but
fear extensive issues of provisions will be
Necessary for several months. | shall push
work on the roads and give employment TO
a many as possible. | hope the charitable
people OF the states will contribute food
clothes. medicines and money. Col Hofer.
chief surgeon of the department, is chair
man Of the beard of relief and auxiliary
boards are organizing in all the towns
Five military posts not Yet heard from.
DAVIS"
Early Reports Confirmed.
Gen Davis second dispatch was as fol-
lows:
Further. but still incomplete reports
confirm previous cable reports as conserya-
tive | suggest the appointment of an of
ficer in New York to receive relief funds
and supplies. cabling quantities and kinds
shipped on each boat. Col. Hofer, medical
department. is in charge of relief work
here. There should be shipped this week
not less than $500 tons food The best to