The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-08-14
DISTRESS IN PORTO RICO
REPORTS or HURRICANB'S DE.
 IRUCIION NOT EXAGGERATED.

NEfOhIS or HURRICANE'S DE
 STRUCTION NOT EXAGGERATED.
 Eovernor-GcneralD Davis Says One FtnI
 ofAll the Dwellings Arc Totally De.
 stRoyed-Repeats Estimate That I0O,.
 900 Are Homeless and Destitute
 Thousands of Cattle Drowncd-Ths
 Supplies Needed.
 Washington. Aug. 13.-Two despatch
 es from Governor General Davis of
 Porto Rico giving additional details Of
 the fearful havoc wrought by the hurri-
 cane of last week were received at the
 war department to-day. They were im-
 nediately sent to Secretary Root, who
 already has taken measures for dis
 patching relief to the people of the
 island. The secretary expects that the transport McPherson with a large quantity of rice and beans will leave New York tomorrow and this will be followed by other vessels as fast as ar engagements can be made for sending supplies. 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 of the coun- try reaches them and he will exhauot 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 subscrip- ,a1 to the governors of the states with a view to arousing general interest in the relief work. The dispatches received from General Davis were sent to the president at Lake Champlain tonight.
 The following are the dispatches re- ceived by the war department from General Davis to-day:
 San Juan, via Hayti.-The true state of affairs throughout the island not yet known because of total destruction of all telegraphic connections and great destruction on all roads. Not more than one-fourth of towns yet heard from, but enough is known to warrant the state- ment that fifth of the dwellings in the island are totally destroyed and their owners are without shelter what ever, 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. Full 1y one-third of the.people subsist entire ly on fruit and in small degree on tubas. All the former is destroyed and most of the latter are rotting in the ground Great many thousands of cat tie are drowned and the debris carried down the river is strewn over the ocean with the wreck of the storm and the 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 distress is very great and when green fruits saved from the debris are consumed the suffering will be very great. I am relieving the suffering everywhere within reach as much as possible, but in out of the way places are many thousands who cannot be reached for some time, The sup plies ordered sent by the government will help much but will last only for few days, while destitution must con- tinue for some weeks or even 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 cod- fish, which has been the main support outside of fruit Cheap cotton clothing Is also needed for thousands who rush. cd naked from their dwellings at night | when the gale broke. Medicines are also needed most pressingly, especially ouinine and other simple medicines. I | estimate that at least 1000 tons of food | will be required weekly for several weeks. I have constituted boards all | ,ver the island to regulate assistance and a general board here to conduct the | relief work. While I have not yet full | 1ata I repeat the estimate that at least l00 OO0 people are homeless and desti- +,1te. Relief ration proposed one pound ,f food per day (composed of) seven ounces of beans, seven ounces Of rice and two ounces of codfsh. In addition ,o the food ordered by the McPherson
 ask that 2,500 tons above proportions should be shipped next week. Before | his ia consumed I will have full data future needs, but fear eX- ensive issues of provisions will be nec- ,ssarv for several months. I shall push work on the roads and give employ nent to as many as possible. hope he charitable people of the states will contribute food, clothes. medicines and money. Colonel Hoffer. chief surgeon if the department, is chairman of the ,oard of relief and auxiliary boards are organizing in all towns. Five military ,osts not yet heard from. (SigneO
 Davis.
 General Davis second dispatch is as blows:
 San Juan, P. R.. via Hayti, Aug. 13
 Further but still incomplete reports onfirm previous cable reports as con- ervative. Suggest an appointment or ft1cers in New York to receive funds nd supplies, cabling quantities and ind shipped on each boat. Colonel Ioffer, medical department, charge re- of work here Should be shipped this , yeek not less than 2,500 tons food. Best , , be sent beans. rice and cheap grade , odflsh Cotton clothing and coarse f otton goods in piece, needles and bread also needed. Money will be ap- lied in assisting to rebuild houses and i uts and hire of help. All kinds of ,ugh lumber of building, slaves and oops for sugar packing and galvan- ed iron and nails for roofing purposes : . ulaced on first list I have aUthor- l