The Portland daily press., 1899-08-14
One Fifth Dwellings on
Island Destroyed.
100, 900 People Are Homeless
aud Destitute,

eS from GOyernoF.d .denernl Davis or Porto
Rico, giving additional details OF the
fearful havoc wrought ty the hurricane
of last week. were received at the war
department. today. They were immediate-
ly sent to Secretary Root, who already
has tax en- measures for dispatching relief
expects that the transport Mcpherson.
with large quantity Of rice and beans,
will leave New York tomorrow and this
will be followed by other vessels as fast
as arrangements can be made FOR sending
supplies. He thinks 1t is the duty of the
government to make provision for feeding
the people until the aid voluntarily given
by the citizens Of the country reaches
him and he win exhaust every means
at his disposal to this end. The Secre-
tary contemplates experimenting the
appeal made last week TO
the mayors to assist In raising
subscriptions and tomorrow win issue
an appeal to the governors of the states
with view OF arousinR general interest
in thei relief work. The dispatches re-
ceived from Gen. Davis were sent to
the President at Lake Champlniu tonight.
They are:
San Juan, via Hayti-The true state of
affairs throughout the island not yet
known, because OF total destruction of
all telsgraphic connections and great de.
struct'un on all roads, not more than one-
fourth Sc, heard from, but enough
known % arrant statement that one
nF . Is In hs, tola
sotally tsogsd and their owners with
saas any sllsc whatever, or any food be-
/. I'D VIII mas been saved from the debris.
4ae ocffes crop and most OF the trees are
ruine5 ant t!us reliance for support is
CONS Z ally ans-third of the people SUBJ
sist entire y on fruit and a small degree
q tahsss. the former is destroyed
ar og the latter are rotting in Ihe
eraana 9sTeAs many thousands OF cat
tis afe drowned nd the debris carried
dewa by bso eigsrs is strewn over the
ocean elth 5ge wreck Of the storm and
tila dead bodies NJ animals. The deaths
tsom fdlFr walls and drowning will
llulDer more than thousand and may
be several times this number. The
state of distress Is very great, and when
green fruits saved from the debris are
consumed, the suffering will be very
gsrat.I am relieving the sufferings every
where within reach as much as possible,
but in out Of the way places are many
thousands who cannot be reached for
some time. The supplies ordered by the
government will help much. but viii
last only. for few days, while destitu-
tion must continue for some weeks or
even months until the bananas grow up
from the ground, for which five months
at least are required. Bood of all kinds
Is needed. especially rice. beans and cod
fish. which has been the main support
outside of fruit. Cheap cotton cloth Is
also much needed for thousands rushed
naked from their dwellings at night
when the gale broke. Medicines are also
needed most p-essingly. especially quin
inc and other simple medicines. 1 esti.
M ate that at least 1000 tons of food viii
be required weekly for several weeks. /
have constituted boards all over the ISL
and to regulate assistance and general
board here to conduct the relief work.
While l have not yet full data, repeat
the estimate that at least 100, QUO people
are homeless and destitute. Relief ration
proposed one pound of food per day, CON-
posed of Sc ven ounces of beans. seven
ounces Of rice and two ounces of Goldfish.
In addition to the food ordered by the
Mcpherson, ask taat 25C0 tons, above
proportions should be shipped next week.
Before this Is consumed will have full
data respecting future needs, but / fear
extensive Issues of provisions will be
necessary for several months. 1 shall
push work on the roads and give en- ploy-
msnt to as many as possible. l hope the
charitable people of the states will CON-
tribute food. clothes, medicines and
money. Col. Hofer, chief surgeon of the
department. is chairman of the board of
relief and auxiliary boards are organiz-
Ing in all the towns. Five military posts
not yet heard from.
(Signed) Davis.
Gen. Davis's second despatch reads:
San Juan, via Hayti, August 1s -
Further, but still incomplete, reports.
confirm previous reliable reports as con-
servative. Suggest an appointment Of
office in New York to receive relief funds
and supplies cabling quantities and
kind shipped on each boat Col. Hofer,
medical department.. charge relief work
here. Should be shipped this week not
less than 250J tons food. Best to be sent,
beans, rice and cheap grade goldfish.
Money will be applied in assisting to re.
build houses and huts and hire of help. /
recommend that bags for sugar and
coffee, all kinds OF rough lumb ber for
building and fencing, shook, slaves and
hoops for sugar packing and galvanized
iron nails for roofing purposes be plaeeu