The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-06
PLIGHT OF PORTO RICO.
0ne-Fifth Of The People on the Island
Without Food or Shelter.
THE CROPS UTTERLY RUINED.

|
Probably Reach Thousands-Destitu-
tion Must Continue For months-A
Thousand Tons of Food Week Re-
auired indefinitely.
WASHINGTON, u. G. (speciaD.-The latest
,dvlces from officers OF the Government re-
,ardIng the extensive damage to life and
property wrought by the storm In Porto
Rico have impressed the War Department
With the necessity OF devslng further
means OF relief for the suffering Inhabitants
I the island. Secretary Root has prepared
IN appeal to the Governors OF all the States
similar to the one sent to Mayors OF princi-
sal cities, asking them to assist in raising
!unds with which to purchase relief sup
olIes. "In the meantime" said the Secre-
;ary. "the War Department will continue
20 provide food In as large quantities as
possible for the Porto Rican people made
destitute by the storm"
Secretary Roots decision to appeal to
the Governors was based largely on the
following cable message from General
Davis: ann
SAN j JUAN, L. n via I1dlLl, 3o0o.
"SRcRETARY OF WAR, Washington.-Fhe
true state of affairs throughout the island
is not vet known because OF the total de-
struction OF air telegraphlc connections
and great destruction on all roads. Not
more than one-fourth OF the towns have
vet been heard from, but enough Is known
TO warrant the statement that one-t1fth OF
the dwellings in the island are totally de-
stroyed and their owners are without any
shelter whatever or any food beyond what
has been saved from the debris. The conee
crop and most Of the trees are ruined, ana
thus reliance for support Is gone. Fully
one-third OF the people subsist entirely on
fruit and to small degree on tubers. All
the former Is destroyed and much OF the
latter are rotting In the ground. great
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 thou
sand and may be several times this num-
Der. The state OF distress Is worry great
and when green fruits saved from the de-
brls are consumed the suffering Will be
very great. am relieving the suffering
everywhere within reach as much as posst-
BILE. but. in out-of-the-way places, there
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 few days, while destitu'
ton must continue for many weeks or some
months until the bananas grow up from
the ground, for which five months &C least
are required. go
GOOD OF all kinds Is needed, especially
rice. beans and cod fish, which has been
the main support outside OF fruit. Cheap
cotton clothing is also needed, for thou
sands rushed naked from their dwellings
at night when the gale broke. Medicines
are also needed most pressingly, especially
qulnine and other simple medicines. !
estim ate that at least 1909 tons CT 1000
will be required weekly for several weeks:
Ihaye constituted boards all over the island
to regulate assistance and general poaro
here to conduct the relief work.
"While have not yet full data, I repeal
the estimate that at least one hundred
thousand people are homeless and desti-
tute. The relief ration proposed ls one
pound Of food per day, composed OF seven
ounces OF beans, seven ounces OF rice ano
two ounces Of Goldfish.
"In addition to food ordered by McPher-
son ask that $500 tons In the above pro.
portions should be shipped next week. Be-
fore this is consumed, / will have full data,
respecting the future needs, but fear eS'
tenslvs issues OF provisions Will Do neces'
ssry for several months.
II shall push work on the roads aud give
employment to as many as possible. .,
81 hope the charitable people OF the
States will contribute food, clothes, medt.
cine and money. Colonel Hotter. Chiei
Surgeon Of the department. Is Chairman ol
the Board OF Relief, and auxiliary boards
are organizing In all the towns. Five mill.
tary posts have not been heard from. =,
"DAyIs.'