The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-14
ROOT TO APPEAL AGAIN.
WILL ASK GOVERNORS TO SECURE
an FOR THE PORTO RICANs.
Gen Davis Cables That tho Dead Will
Probably Reach Thousands. and That
Fully 900 are Homeless and Desti-
,,,.-Suppli-s That Arc Needed Most.


Fully 100. 900 are Homeless aud Desti-
,u,.-snppiirs That Arc Needed Most.
y,sutsGroS, Aug. 13-The latest advices
from o1i,srs tho government regarding the
.,,epsiys damage to life and property wrought
h, tbn storm in Porto Rico haze impressed he
war Department with the necessity OF devils
inc further means Of roiict for the suffering in
babitants OF the island Secretary Root an
nounrcd tonight his intention to issue to-
morrow an appeal to tn. governors oil all the
states similar to tho ono sent to mayors of
principa, citics last week. asking them to as
sist in raising funds with which t. purchase
relief supplies. "ln the meantime" said the
s.creary tho War Department will continue
10 provide foo IN rs large quantities as poSsi-
bio for the Porto Rran people male destitute
BY tho storm"
It's eIper;ol thai the responses from the
MAYORS. numbcrof which showed yesterday
such substantial results from the appeal sent
out BY the Secretary OF War. will within two
or three days, give assurance Of funds
large enough to carry on very extensive work
OF rc,iet In Porto Rico.
Secretary Root decision to appeal to the gov
srnors was based largely on the following cable
message from Gen. Davis. received today:
san Juan. 7. X. via Hayt Aug Is. 1899.
"SECLErARY OF WAB. Washingtou.-The true
state OF affairs throughout the island is not
yet known because Of the total destruction OF
oil teegraphic connections and great destruc-
ton on all roads Not more than one fourth OF
the towns have yet been heard from. but
enough is known to warrant the Statement that
one-Gth Of the dwellings in the island are
totally destroyed and their owners are without
any shelter whatever or any food beyond what
has been saved from the debris. The coffee
crop and most Of the trees are ruined. and 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 de-
stroyed nLd much Of the latter arc rotting in
the ground A great many thousands Of cattlo
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 drown
ing will number more than a thousand and
may be several times this number. The state
ofdlstress is very great. and when green fruits
saved from the debris are consumed the suffer-
ing will be very great. | am relieving the suf-
iering everywhere within reach as much as
possible. 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 a few days. while destitution must
continue for many weeks or some months I'M
I'll the bananas grow UP from the ground. for
which five months at least are required.
Food OF all kinds is needed, especially rice,
leans and cod fish. 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
brofe. Medicines are also needed most press
ingy. especially quinine and other simple
medicines estimate that at least 1000 tons
OF food will be required weekly for several
weeks. have constituted boards all over the
island to regulate assistance and general
board here to conduct the relief work.
While lhave not yet full data. / repeat tho
estimate that at least one hundred thousand
people are homeless and destitute. The relief
ration proposed is one pound OF food per day,
composed ofseven ounces OF beans. seven oun-
ces OF rice and two ounces OF cod fish,
In addition to food ordered by Mcpherson I
ask that 1900 tons in the above proportions
should be shipped next week Before this ia
consumed will have full data respecting the
future needs. but fear extensive issues OF
provisions viii! be necessary for several months
snail push work on the roads and give en-
ployment to as many as possible.
nope the charitable people OF the States
Will contribute food. clothes. medicine and
money. Colonel Hofer. Chief Surgeon OF the
department. Is chairman OF the board Of relief,
ana auxiliary boards are ORIGINATING in all
the towns. Five military posts have not been
heard from.
DAVIS"
Two hours later. or at $50 o'clock to- night,
'hls 0ecohd cable message was received
oAN JUAN. p r.. Aug 13.-secretary Of War.
washington: Further but still incomplete re-
ports confirm the previous cable reports as
conservative. / suggest the appointment OF
an olfceT In New York to receive relief funds
ana supplies. cabling quantities and kinds
'h!pIen by each boat Col. Hofer OF the medi-
ea department in charlie OF the relief work
mere should have shipped to him this eek
ho' iesS than ~ No tons OF food. 1t is best to
s'n bofn'' rice. and cheap grade Of cod
h'" totton clothing and coarse cotton goods
~ P!ece. needles and thread are also needed.
nohey VIII DO applied in assisting TO rebuild
houses huts and thn hire OF help.
recommend that the bags for coffee and
sugar all kinds OF rough lumber for building
ana fencing. hooks. slaves and hoops for sugar
PACKING galvanized iron and nails for roofing
purposes b" placed on the first list. have
authorized the employment Of labor in re-
oui',IhR the barracks at Caycya and Alhomac
""''' were wholly destroyed. DAVIS"