The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-14
oNE-FIFTH HOMELESS.
First Reports of Hurricane Were
Conservative.

Washington. Aug. 1S.-The following
are the dispatches received by the war
department from General Davis today:
San Juan, Porto Rico, Aug. 13 (via
HaytD.-The true state of affairs
throughout the island is not yet known
because of the total destruction of all
Geographic CONNECTIONS and great de-
struction on all roads, Not more than
one-fourth of the towns yet heard from
about enough is known to warrant the
statement that one-fifth of the dwell
ings in the islands are totally destroyed
and their owners are without any shell
ter whatever or any food beyond what
has been saved from the debris. &C.
The coffee crop and most of the trees
are ruined. and thus reliance for sup
port is gone. Fully one-third of the
people sutsist entirely on fruit and a
small degree on tubas. 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 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
will be very great.
Some Cannot Be Reached.
II am relieving the suffering every
where in reach as much as possible.
In out 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
weeks or some months until the ban
anas grow up from the ground. for
which five months at least are required.
Food of all kinds 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
dwellings at night when the gale broke.
Medicines are also needed most pres
similar medicines. | estimate that at
least 1000 tons of food will be required
weekly for several weeks. I have con-
stituted boards all over the islands to
regulate assistance and a general board
here to conduct the relief work.
One Hundred Thousand Homeless.
while l have not yet full data. re-
peat the estimate that at least 100. 600
people are homeless and destitute Re
lief ration proposed one pound of food
per day. composed of ounces of beans
{ ounces of rice and ounces of cod
fish. In addition to the food ordered
By the Mcpherson, ask that $500 tons
above proportions. should be shipped
next week. Before this is consumed
will have full data respecting future
needs, but / fear extensive issues of
provisions viii be necessary for several
moi he 7 m . l1a ds,
and give employment to as many as
possible. ! hope the charitable people
# the states will contribute food.
clothes. medicines and money. Colonel
Hofer, chief surgeon of the department,
S chairman of the relief board. and
auxiliary boards are organizing in all
me towns. Five military pests not yet
heard from. DAVIS"
General Davis second dispatch:
San Juan de Porto Riva (via HaytD
Aug. l3.-Further but still incomplete
'eports confirm previous cable reports
IS conservative. Suggest an appoint
nent CT officer in New York TO receive
'elief funds and supplies, cabling guam
titles and kinds shipped on each boat.
Colonel Hofer, medical department, is
n charge of relief work here. Should
De shipped this week not less than $500
ons of food. Best to be sent beans,
ice and cheap grade Goldfish. Cotton
clothing and coarse cotton goods in
,iece, needles and thread also needed.
doney will be applied in assisting 10 |
ebuild houses and huts and hire of !
lelp. / recommend that bags for sugar |
nd coffee, all kinds of rough lumber |
or building and fencing. hooks. slaves !
nd hoops for sugar packing and GAL |
anized iron and nails for roofing pur-
oses be placed on the first list 1 have |
l. Il y Z
barracks at Cayeya and Aibo- |
1ao, wholly destroyed"