The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-12
Disaster Far More Appalling Than
at First Reported.
Estimated That Five Hundred Lives Were
Lost at Ponce, Porto Rico.
Terrible Distress is Reported, and
the War Department Has Issued
an Appeal to the Mayors of the
Larger American Cities to Con-
tribute Supplies for the Suffer-

CTS.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE War
Department to-day took prompt meas
ures for the relief of the hurricane suf-
ferers in Porto Rico. When the press
dispatches and General Davis adviceS
made known the extent of the disaster,
steps We're Immediately taken to send
supplies, and the transport McPher
son was ordered put in readiness to
sail from New York on Monday next.
She will carry rations and other nee
essities
The Secretary of War this afternoon
sent an appeal to the Mayors of all
cities of more than 100000 population,
saying: This department has direct
ed the immediate distribution of ra
lions to the sufferers by the army in
Porto Rico, so far as it is within the
power of the Executive, but in the alb
sence of any appropriation we must
rely largely upon private contributions.
l beg that you will call upon the pub
lie spirited and humane citizens of your
city to take active and immediate
measures in this exigency. The Gov
eminent transport Mcpherson will be
sent directly from the port of New
York to Porto Rico on Monday, the
18th inst, to carry all supplies of food
which can be obtained. Further trans
ports will be sent at future dates, of
which public notice will be given.
ANY committee charged with the
raising of funds will receive full infor-
nation and advice upon communicating
with this department. Very respect
fully, ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War"
HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST.
SAN JUAN Ode Porto Rico, Aug. IL.
1t is now said that 500 persons lost
their lives at Ponce during the hurri-
cane. Terrible distress prevails there.
Arroyo, on the south coast, has been
DESTROYED Sixteen lives were lost
there and the town is still submerged
in water.
At Guayamo houses are still stand
ing Seven persons were killed there.
A number of houses Were pillaged.
Squads of soldiers We're unable to main
tain order and starvation threatens the
population.
The water supply of San Juan has
been stopped. The Coamo Spring Ho-
tel has been wrecked. 1t belongs to
the Porto Rico Company of Philadel-
phia.
The storm struck Ponce Tuesday
morning at o'clock and lasted two
hours 1t came from the northeast.
Ponce was flooded at midnight and at
least 800 persons were drowned. Two
hundred bodies, mostly those of poor
people, and including many children,
have been recovered. All the build
ings are damaged and thousands have
been destroyed. The soldiers and fire.
men worked all night, heroically saving
lives.
There is no drinking water, gas, ice
or electric light. {.
The commssary stores at Playa were
destroyed. the city is short of food and
the army officers are distributing ra-
tions.
Fifteen vessels in the harbor were
driven ashore.
The Weather Bureau predicted the
storm, but it is claimed Ponce was not
warned.
A mob of ! 1000 persons threatened
the Alcalde, Porrata Doria, but they
were dispersed by the Fifth Cavalry.
The ADELAIDE has been deposed on ac-
count of negligence. Major Myers OF
calde in response to popular demand.
The sum of $1,000 will be needed to
clean the streets. The sanitary con-
dition is serious and assistance is need
ed. The crops are totally ruined, the
wires are all down and little news Is
obtainable from the interior.
Bonita including the barracks, has
been destroyed but no lives were lost
there.
Juan d az has been devastated. Forty
six lives were lost there. Arroyo.
Guayama, Salinas and San Isabel are
reported to have been totally demol-
ished.
The railroad between Ponce and Yau-
co has been destroyed and the military
road is impossible. The river is flow
ing over the road for two miles.
Guaymas escaped serious injury. Ba-
nanas are the sole food here. The
neons have gone to San Juan and its
vicinity. which are comparatively un-
injured.
GEN. DAVIS REPORTS OF THE
DAMAGE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE War
Department received cablegram from
General Davis giving fuller details OF
the damage done III forto TNico ny Tic
hurricane.
General Davis says famine is inn
pending. and asks authority to issue ra-
lions to the destitute. The message is
dated yesterday, and says:
Later reports show that the hurrl-
cane was far more severe in the IN
terror and southern part of the island
than here.
Data for an estimate OF the number
of Porto Ricans who have lost every
thing is deficient, but l am 1orceu te
believe the number on the island can
not fall below 100000 souls ana
famine is impending. | ask that =
100000 pounds of rice and beans. equa
quantities of each. be Immediately
shipped on transports to Ponce; some
here. Urgent appeals are made to al
post commanders for food for the des-
tftute 1 am authorized to relieve dis
tress by food issues: rice and beans
only desired. There have been many
deaths of natives by falling walls. sc
far only one soldier reported danger
ously injured. Several towns report
ed entirely demolished. AS yet, how.