The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-12

lie Asks for Immediate Aid for tho
s,g,rers-Socrctnry OF War Root Takes
pr,mpt steps to send Supplies to the
I,!nnd-Pnnce's water SnppiJ spoiled
nv -, water sickness May Follow
Several other Towns Reported Wiped
Out Churches Alone Left Standing -
Storm in Porto Rico in 1867 Killed 5000.
ep,rr' Ca5is D>spit:t to THz sUS.
Ponce. poHro Rico. Aug. lit is now
known that p.urn was the greatest sufferer
b. Tuesday, hurricane. Tho rivers Portuguese
thousands Of people. Five hundred bodies
have aireadY been recovered
The southern coast was swept clean as far as
Yauco. Is miles. The towns of Tallaboa and
Juaradia2 were DESTROYED. Only the large
churches are loft standing.
The storm 81 1867 killed 5000 PEOPLE and 1t
Is feared that the number of deaths is greater
pOw.
There is not n drop Of water in Ponce to
drink The cistcrns are full OF salt water from
the ocean and the stencil arising from the dead
bodies IS dreadful Widespread sickness Is
sure 10 follow.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-the following tee-
gram was sent out this afternoon 10y Secretary
Root H. the Mayors OF all cities OF 100000 in
hatitau's or more:
"W>-uINGToN. Aug. Ito The Mayor: The
Governor General Of Porto Rico confirms the
re,ort that upon the 9Th inst u hurricane swept
over that island entirely demolishng many Of
the towns. destroying many lives and reducing.
Is far as he can estimate. not less than 100. 900
o. the inhabitants To- the condition OF absolute
drstituton. without homes or food. Unless
Immediate and effective relief is given these
unfortunate people will perish OF famine.
Under these couditions.the President deems
that an appeal should be- made to the humanity
OF the American people. tits an appeal to their
latriotiSm also for the inhabitants OF Porto
Rico hav" freely and gladly submitted them
selves % N" guardianship of the United states
and have voluntarily surrendered the protec-
ton Of Spain. to which they were formerly
entitled. confidently relying upon more gencr
Ous and bcncfcient treatment at our hands
The highest considerations Of honor and good
faith unite with the promptinGs ofhumanity to
require from the United States generous re-
sponsc to the demand of Porto Rican distress.
This department has directed the i'm
mediate distribution OF rations TO the sufferers
b. the army in Porto Rico. and so far AS it is
within the uower of the Executive. but in the
ibsence OF any appropriation We must rely
largely upon private contributions.
l hrg that you Will call upon the public
tVriedan4 humane people OF your city to take
active and immediate measures in this ext
gen'y. The government transport Mcpherson
Will be sent directly from the port OF New
York 10 Porto Rico on Monday the 18th inst.
tocarry all supplies of food which can be OBJ
tanned further transports will be sent at flu
lure dates, OF which public notice will be
given. ANY committee charged with the
Tal'"G OF funds will receive full Information
AMI advice upon communicating with this de-
Ia:tment. Very respectfully.
'ELIHC Roof. Secretary OF War"
Zen. Davis rablcsram is as follows:
san JUAN DE PORTO RICO. Aug. 10.
'Ai!uant. General. Washington
Later reports show that hurricane was far
nFr severe in interior and southern part OF
isAhH Than here. Da.a Tor cstim ate OF num-
yer "I Iprto Hlcans who have lost everything
is leacl"at. hut am forced to believe the num-
Der On the Island cannot fall below 1907
sous and famine is impending. l ask that
or,,,,i " '''' "iu o'oh'' ei""'
,r,n' u 'neh' DO Immediately shipped on
no nIo'o''s 70 romeo some here. Urgent APP
destitute Am Tou,h,.i,<,,, 80 ra,io,., ,,ist.o..
T,n," WV, ,s,"y'i h'ce and beans only desired.
hIrs na,' 'e'" many deaths OF natives by
s"Is walls. So far only one soldier reported
dangerously Injured. Several towns reported
"IFeiy demolished. As yet have reports from
wv 'ouF posts. Complete destruction OF all
snvo.s az two anu at two others one com
nor. T Ta No reports yet from the largest