The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-14
Details Of Havoc Wrought at Porto
Rico.
Secretary Root Takes Measures For
Relief.
Transport Mcpherson Will Leave
New York To-Day and be Fol-
lowed by Other Vessels as Fast
as Arrangements Can be Made
for Sending SupplieS-A Tale of
Widespread Distress.

as Arrangements Can be Made
for Sending Suppies-A Tale of
Widespread Distress.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-two dis
patches from Governor General Davis
of Porto Rico, giving original details
of the feaful havoc wrought by the
hurricane of last week, were received
at the War Department to-day. These
were Immediately sent to Secretary
Root, who has already taken means for
diSpatching relief to the people of the
islands. The Secretary expects that
the transport Mcpherson, with large
quantity of rice and beans, will leave
New York tomorrow, and will be fol-
lowed by vessels as fast as arrange
mentS can be made for sending sup
plies. He thinks it is the duty of the
Government to make provision for
feeding the people until the aid volun-
tarily given by the citizens reaches
them, and will exhaust every means
at his disposal to this end.
The Secretary contemplates supple
menting the appeal made last week to
the Mayors to assist in raising sub
ScriptionS, and tomorrow will issue an
| appeal to the Governors of States with
| a view to arousing general interest in
the relief work. The dispatches re-
ceived from General Davis We're sent
to the President at Lake Champlain.
| The following are the dispatches re-
ceived by the War Department from
General Davis to-day:
SAN JUAN (Porto Rico) Aug. -
via Hayti.-The true state of affairs
| throughout the island is not yet known
because of the total destruction of all
Geographic connections and great de-
struction on all roads. Not more than
one-fourth of the towns yet heard
from, but enough is known to warrant
the statement that one-fifth of the
dwellings in the island are totally de-
| strOyed and their owners are without
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 sup
port is gone. Fully one-third of the
people subsist entirely on fruit and
tsmail degree on tubers. All the former
| is destroyed and much of the latter
are rotting in the ground A great
many thousands of cattle are drowned
and the debris carried down the rivers
| is strewn over the ocean with the
wreck of the storm and tha dead bodies
of animals. The deaths from falling
walls and drowning will number more
than a thousand. and may be several
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
1 am relieving the suffering every
where in reach as much as possible In
out of the way places are many thou
sands who cannot be reached for some
| time yet.
| The supplies ordered sent by the Gov
eminent will help much, but will last
only a few days, while restitution
must continue for some weeks or
| months, until the bananas grow up
| from the ground. for which five months
at least are required. Food of all
kinds is needed, especially rice, beans
and Goldfish, which has been the main
support outside of fruit Cheap cot
! ton cloth is also needed, for thousands
rushed naked from their dwellings at
night when the gale broke. Medicines
are also needed most pressingly, es-
pecially quinine and other simple medi-
| cines. 1 estimate that at least 200
tons of food will be required weekly
! for several weeks. 1 have constituted
| boards all over the islands to regulate
assistance and general board here to
/ conduct the relief work. While I have
not yet full data, 1 repeat the esti-
mate that at least 100000 people are
| homeless and destitute. Relief 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 or
dered by the Mcpherson, I ask that
2. 800 tons, above proportions, should
be shipped next week. Before this is
consumed I will have full data respect
ing future needs but I fear extensive
issues of provisions will be necessary
for several months. 1 shall push work
on the roads and give employment to
as many as possible. I hope the char
liable people of the United States will
contribute food, Clothes medicines and
| money. Colonel Hofer. Surgeon of the
| Department, is Chairman Of the Relief
Board, and auxiliary boards are or
ganizing in all the towns. Five mill
| tary posts are not yet heard from.
DAVIS.
| General Davis second dispatch says:
| SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO, Aug.
| 13.-Further but still incomplete re-
ports confirm previous cable reports as
conservative. Suggest an appointment
of an, officer in New York to receive re-
! lief funds and supplies, cabling yuan
titles and kinds shipped on each
| steamer.
| Colonel Hofer. medical department, in
charge of relief work here Should be
shipped this week not less than $500
| tons of food Best to be sent beans.
rice and cheap grade Goldfish Cotton
| clothing and coarse cotton goods in
piece, needles and thread also needed.
Money will be applied in assisting to re-
build houses and huts and hire for help.
1 recommend that bags for sugar and
| coffee all kinds of rough lumber for
| building and fencing, hooks, slaves and
hoops for sugar packing and galvanized
| iron and nails for roofing purposes be
placed on the first list. / have author
lied employment of labor for rebuild
| ing barracks at Cayeya and Abimot,
wholly destroyed.
Jay Eaton Won.
NEW YORK, Aug. 13.-Jay Eaton