The San Francisco call., 1899-12-26
RELIEF WORK
IN PORTO RICO
Government Makes Pub
lie a Report.
GREAT DEAL ACCOMPLISHED
HOWEVER, THOUSANDS YET
., FACE STARVATION.
As Result of the Recent Cyclones
Ruined Farmers Must Be Pro-
vided With Neces-
sites.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-The War De-
partment made public to-day a statement
showing the progress made in relief work
In the island Of Porto Rico between Sep
tember 25 and November 80, 1899. The
population of the island is estimated at
slS,S26. The average daily INDECENT was
2Zl,OH persons; average weekly sick, 1872.
and the average weekly deaths 6S2 per-
sons The annual death rate was 35 per
thousand inhabitants, while the normal
rate was 26 TO 1000 inhabitants. The in
creased mortality was confined TO the
mountain districts, where in some locali
ties the death rate increased 800 per cent.
The amount OF cash received for the re-
lief of the suffering people Of the island
up 10 November 30 was Sl5224. The
amount of money disbursed up TO the date
mentioned was S7457
Up TO November 30 the total amount of
food received TO relieve the sufferers was
j, ,l62, 73S pounds. OF this amount 16,54S, ,316
pounds had been issued up TO November
80 The amount of uniSsued food on hand
at San Juan November 30 was 6l4,212
pounds.
1t was some weeks after the hurricane
before the mental and physical energies
or the stricken people began TO rally from
the shock OF the disaster. They were
without ready money and were brought
tace TO face with starvation. While the
damage inflicted upon the people along
the coast of the island was very great,
Il was in part Offset by the Improvement
IN the sugar cane crop, which improve
water on the cane land. The crop en-
apled the planters TO borrow money with
which to employ the necessary labor TO
care Tor and harvest the crop. The cities
along the coast were also able TO come TO
the rescue by the employment Of labor
10 repair the damage inflicted by the
storm. In consequence of these facts
supplies have gradually been suspended
IN the lowlands, except in limited guam
uties to the chronic poor. The coffee
plantations are located in the uplands.
Here the high winds swept everything in
their course, leaving little or nothing for
the thousands of hungry. homeless,
clotheSless human beings but their lives
and what could be given them to prevent
starvation. The prompt action OF the
Americans and the people of the island
was all that prevented a terrible catas-
trophe. The poor were fed and their lives
were preserved. Although a large part
or the island Is no longer in danger, the
number number OF INDECENT remains large. 1t is
believed that until February next the de-
mand Tor assistance Is likely to increase
In the mountain districts, as the planta-
tions and bananas will not be ripe for
tress prevails in locality where the
greatest difficulty is found in getting food
TO the starving.
The worst area contains a population of
ABOUT 25O,OVo, and not a wagon road Is 10
be round in any direction over which food
can be transported. All food is carried on
100000 people must be fed or they will
starVe. If not fed at home they will mi,
CRATE 10 the cities. leaving the weak to
die Their work will be left undone and
their future will be hopeless
Pestilence, which frequently follows
flood and famine. has appeared among the
unfortunate inhabitants in the mountain
districts, and a number OF people have
perished. 1t Is feared that the epidemic
Will spread TO the coasts and there will
be a movement from the mountains in
that direction A move of this kind has
already been anticipated and is being
strictly controlled. But the relief must be
continued freely in the mountain districts
for all Of December and January and dur
ing the greater part of February
1t is estimated that not less than 20O0 ad-
dittonal tons OF food will be required.
Four should be beans and the
remainder of the amount required should
be either goldfish or bacon. With the
food already issued and now on hand, and
with the 200O tons required In addition 10
that already issued. the total issue VIII ba
20 162 .7SS pounds.
In dealing with the INDECENT, able-bodled
men have been required TO work for the
food they received, and a great deal OF
public work has been done in the way OF
cleaning towns. repairing roads, etc. a
plan has been devised between the board
their servants by which the board fur
nishes food TO the planters for the num-
ber of servants in their families. In re-
turn for this aid the planters sign an
agreement 10 furnish a small parcel of
land and a house to each family which
land they are to see prepared and seeded
with food plants. The planters are also
to see that the laborers and their fami-
lies are supplied with the food issued. and
that the laborer performs full days
agree to furnish transportation OF the
food.