Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-18
PORTO RICO SITUATION.
Moro Details OF tho Conditions


the Intcrior-Army Aid.
San Juan, Porto Rico. via Hayti. Aug.
1S.-Visits to the most distressed dis
tricts of the island prove that the form
er reports of terrible conditions have
not been in the least exaggerated.
People In the towns are huddled to-
gether anywhere for shelter. In the
country the people are sleeping out in
the open air.
The food supplies have been totally
destroyed. Only the well-to-do can at
ford to buy provisions.
Unless succor comes in a few days the
people will starve. The supplies from
San Juan have not yet arrived. but are
expected. The depots in many towns
are already surrounded by large num-
bers of hungry persons. The mayors
OF the towns have received no authority
to dispense money, but most of them
are contributing generously out Of their
own pockets to supply the most urgent
needs.
As far as Caguas and Cayey the san
itary conditions are not threatening,
but reports from the towns further
south state that their condition is dam
gerous. The peril lies In the herding
f
Several of the soldiers We're wounded
during the recent hurricane, but 1t is
learned that there were no deaths
among them.
The best posted pe,1ons agree that 1t
will be necessary to provide work for
the inhabitants and seed for the next
planting The military commander at
Adjuntas reports to headquarters by
hG nf fto ivyn r,f
the troops were wet and much is use
less. Money can be used in helping the
helpless. There is urgent need of send
ing aid, as the remaining provisions are
giving out. The situation of the town
is very serious.
An official report from Guayamas
says that 265 houses were destroyed, 172
seriousIy injured and 204 damaged by
the storm.
In Yabucoa the police are obliged to
protect the peasants bringing fruit froul
the country in order to prevent 1t being
taken away from them by force by the
hungry mobs. The situation thera is
most desperate. The troops have been
ordered to avoid trouble with the in
l,abitants, who have held a public gath
ering to find solution of the difficult
ties. The municipality has no means
to buy food and asks help from General
Davis.
In the district surrounding Mayaguez
scores of women. old men and children
are homeless and begging shelter and
food. The schooner Conception, loaded
with 200 Porto Ricans going as emf
grants to Samana. went adrift today
All Jumped overheard and several were
drowned. Some are now sheltered in a
storehouse. while others are wandering
about the town.
"A Mayaguez paper reminds the public
that In the year 1871 the city was de.
. stroyed by fire. Two days later the
governor was personally distributing
$4,000 among those who most needed It..
The principal street of the city bears
his name in remembrance of this phi
lanthropic act.
In Arroyo 30 per cent of the houses
were demolished by the hurricane. AT
the Playa Port nothing remains. The
sea rushed into the town, and lighters
and boats can be seen in the street.
The mayor of Mnunabo has been
obliged to build a large shed in the
middle Of the plaza to shelter 200 homes
less people.
Many prominent people in Utuando
have signed an appeal to the public ask
ing food and work for the Inhabitants
Two thousand persons have perished
In this whole district. Not 1000 pesos
oo9i1 - raised to buy the provisions