The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-14
AWFUL DEVASTATION

Wrought in Porto Rico BY the HuFFi.
cane that Swept Over tho Island
ono-Fifth Of tho Dwellings De-
Stroyod and People without Shell
ter or Food
WASHINGTON, D. c.. August IA
The following are the dispatches re-
ceived by the war department from
General Davis to-day:
SAN JUAN, P. r.. Via HATTL-Th0
grave state of affairs throughout the
island is not yet known because OF total
destruction of all telegraphic eonnee-
tons and great destruction on all roadR.
Not more than one-fourth Of towns yet
heard from, but enough Is known to
warrant the statement that one-ffth Of
the dwellings in the island are totally
destroyed, and their owners are with.
out any shelter whatever or food be-
yopd what has been snved 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
a small degree on tubas. All the for
mer is destroyed and much Of the lat.
ter are rotting in the ground. Many
thousands Of cattle are drowned and
the debris carried down by the rivera y
gtrewn over the ocean with the wreck
81 the storm and the dead bodies Of
nnimrls. The deaths from falling
walls and drowning will number more
than q thousand, and may be seVer@
times this number. The state OF dis
tress Is very great and When green
fruits saved from the debris are con-
sumed the suffering will be very great'
II am relieving the suffering every
where within reach ns much as poSslnie
hut IN out Of the wny places are many
thousands who cannot be reached for
some time. The supplies ordered sent
by the government will help mueh, but
VIII last only FOR few days while de9-
tltutIon must continue for many weeks
or some months until the bananas grow
up from the ground for which nVe
months at least are required. FOOD OF
ali kinds is needed, especially rice,
beans and cod fish. which has been the
main support outside Of fruit. Cheap
cotton clothing Is also needed Tor thou-
sands rushed naked from their DWELL
lngs at night when the gale proke'
Medicines are algO needed most press
InEly, especially quinine and other sim.
pie medicines. estimate that at least
900 tons OF food will be required
weekly for several weeks. have con-
stituted boards all over the Island 20
regulate assistance and general board
here to conduct the relief worK.
100000 Homeless.
"Yhne have not yet full data, I re.
peat the estimate that at least 10000
people are homeless and destitute. Re-
lief ration proposed one pound Of food
per day, composed OF seven ounces Of
beans, seven ounces Of rice and two
ounces Of Goldfish. In addition TO the
food ordered by the Mcpherson, ask
that $500 tons, above proportions, should
be shipped next week. Before this Is con-
sumed, / will have full datn respecting
future needs, but fear extensive Is
sues Of provisions will be necessary Tor
several months. shall push work on
the roads and give employment 10 aS
many as possible. hope the charitable
people OF the states will contribute
food, clothes, medicines and money.
Colonel Hofer, chief surgeon Of the de.
partment, is chairman of the board OF
relief and auxiliary boards are organ
Izlng In all the towns. Five military
posts not yet heard from.
(Slgned.) DAVIS.
General Dav.s' second dispatch reads
as follows:
SAN JUAT, P. r.. l., Via HAYTI.
August 13-Further but still incom-
plete reports confirm previous cable re-
ports as conservative. Suggest an ap-
pointmRnt Of officer In New York 70 re-
celve relief funds and supplies cabling
quantities and kinds shipped on eAch
boat to Colonel Hofer, medical DEPART
ment, charge Of relief work here.
Should be shipped this week not less
than 1900 tons food. Best to be sent
beans, rice and cheap grade Goldfish.
Cotton clothing and coarse goods IN
piece. needles and thread also needed.
Money will be applied in assisting to re-
build houses and hutB and hire OF help.
II recommend that bags for sugar
and coffee. all kinds OF rough lumber
for building and fencing hooks. slaves
and hoops for sugar packing and gal
vnnIEed iron and nails for roofing pur-
poses. be placed on flrSt list. have
authorized employment OF labor for re-
building barracks at cayeyR and AbO.
no wholly destroyed"