The Dickinson press., 1899-08-19
GREAT NEED OF AID
SERIOUS CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN
PORTO RICO

On Account of the Hurricane Outlined
by General Davis-All Means OF Sup.
port Gone and Thousands Are De.
pendent ON Charity-One-hfth of the
Dwellings, Oh the Island Devastated
by the Hurricane-Loss of Life. at
Least One Thousand aud Possibly Very
Much Greater.
WASHINGTON, Aug. IA dispatch
from Governor General Davis of Porto
Rico, giving additional details of the
fearful havoc wrought by the hurricane
of last week, was received at the war
department during the day. 1t was inn
mediately sent to Secretary Root. who
already has taken measures for dis
patching relief to the people of the
island. The dispatch is as follows:
The true state of affairs throughout
the island is not known because of total
destruction of all the telegraph connec-
tions and great destruction on all roads.
Not more than one-fourth of the towns
are heard from yet. but enough is
known to show that one-fifth of the
dwellings III the island are totally de-
stroyed and their owners are without
any shelter whatever or any food be-
yond what has been saved from the de-
bris. The coffee crop and most Of the
trees are ruined and thus reliance for
support is goiie. Fully one-third of the
people
SubsisG Entirely on Fruit
and small degree on tubas. All the
former is destroyed and much of the
latter rotting in the ground. Many
thousands of cattle are drowned and
the debris carried 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 1000 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. l am re-
lieving the 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
eminent will help much but will last
only for few days while
Dssti, ution Must Continue
for many weeks OF some months until
the bananas grow up from the ground,
for which five months are at least re-
quired. Food OF all kinds are needed,
especially rice, beans and Goldfish, which
has been the main support outside of
fruit. 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, especially quinine and
other simple medicines. l estimate that
at least 1000 tons of food will be re-
qulred 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 l repeat the
estimate that at least 100000 people are
Homeless and Destitute.
Relief ration proposed one pound of
food per day, 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 full data
respecting future needs but | fear ex-
tensive issues of provisions will be nec-
essary for several months. | shall push
work OH the roads and give employ.
ment to as many as possible l hope
the charitable people of the States will
contribute food. clothes, medicines and
money. Colonel Hofer, chief surgeon
of the department., is chairman of the
board of relief and auxiliary boards are
organizing in all the towns Five posts
not yet heard FROM