The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-15
1000 Tons Of Food
Needed Each Week
WORK OF RELIEF
FALLS ON THE UNITED STATES.
An Appeal to tho Governors VIII DO Made
To-day In Behalf or Naked, Homeless,
Starving Thousands In
Porto Rico.

Puerto Rico, giving additional details
of the fearful havoc by tho hurricane
of last week, were received ut tho war
department today. They were immc-
diatcly sent to Secretary Root, who al
ready has taken measures for dispatch
ing relief to the people of the island.
The Secretary expects that the trans
port Mcpherson with II large quantity
OF rice and beans will leave New York
tomorrow and this will be followed by
| other vessels as fast us arrangements
can be made for sending supplies. lie
thinks it is the duty Of the government
| to make provision for feeding the pco-
| pic until the aid voluntarily given by
the citizens of the country reaches
| thom, and he will exhaust every means
at his disposal to this end.
The secretary contcmplutcs supple
mcnting the appeal made last week to
| the mayors to assist in raising subscrip-
| tions and tomorrow will issue un appeal
to the governors of the States with Il
view to arOusing general interest in
the relief work. The dispatches re-
CcivCu from Con. Davis were sent to
| the President at Lake Champlain to-
night.
The following arc the dispatches re-
ccivcd by the war department from
Gen. Davis today:
San Juan, II. H., via uiti.--Thc
tnt ,,r nn., ~
island not yet known because of total
destruction Of all tclcgraphic cOnncc-
tions and great destruction on all roads.
Not more than one fourth OF towns yet
heard from, but enough is known to
warrant the statement that Onc-ifth Of
the dwellings in the island arc totally
destroyed and their owners arc without
any shelter whatever or any food be-
yond what has been saved from the de-
bris. The collcc crop and most of the
trees arc ruined, and thus reliance for
support is gone. Fully one-third Of the
people subsist entirely on fruit and II
small part on tubas. All the former is
destroyed, and much Of the latter arc
rotting in the ground. Great many
thousands Of cattle arc drowned, and
the debris carried down by the rivers
is strcwn over the ocean with the wreck
Of the storm and the dead bodies of
animals. Tho deaths from falling
walls and drowning will number more
than Il thousand and may be several
times this number.
''Thc state of distress is very great
and when green fruits saIcd from the
debris arc consumed the suffering will
be very great. am relieving the suf-
fcring everywhere within reach as
much as possible but in out of the way
places arc many thousands who cannot
be reached for some time. The sup
plies sent by the government will help
mucn but will last only for Il few days
while drstitutiOn must continue for
many weeks, or some months, until tho
bananas grow up from the ground 'ur
which five months ut least are required
Food Of all kind is 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
homes at night when the gale broke.
Medicines arc also needed most press
in%ly, especially quninc, and other
simple medicines. estimate that at
least 200 tons Of food will be required
weekly for several weeks. | have con-
stitutcd boards all over the island TO
regulate assistance and 4 general board
here to conduct the relief work. While
have not yet full data repeat the
estimate that at least 100000 people
are homeless and destitute. Relief ra-
tlon proposed, one pound Of food per
day, composed Of seven ounces OF beans,
seven ounces Of rice and two ounces Of
cod fish. In addition to the food or
dcrcd by the Mcphcrscn ask that
1000 tons above proportions should be
shipped next week. Before this is con-
sumcd | will have full data respecting
future needs, but | fear extensive issues
Of provisions will bc necessary for scv-
oral monlha. shah push work on the
roads and giyc employment to as many
as possible. ! hope the charitable pcO-
Il,
clothes, medicines and money. Col.
ttofcr, chief surgeon of the depart
ment, is chairman Of the board Of re-
lief and auxiliary boards are organic.
ing in all the towns. Five military
posts not yet heard from. DAVIS.
Gen. Davis second dispatch:
San Juan, II. r., via Haiti, Aus. l3.-
"Further but still incomplete reports
confirm previous cable reports as con-
scrvatlvc. Suggest an appointment Of
officer in Nov York to receive relief
fund and supplies cabling quantities
and kinds shipped on each boat Col.
Hotter, medical department. charge re-
lief work here, should be shipped this
week not ilcss than $500 tC ls food.
Best to be sent beans, rice and cheap
grade cod fish. Cotton clothing and
coarse cotton goods in piece, needles
and thread also needed. Money will
be applied in assisting to rebuild houses
and hutS and hire Of bplD I rprom-