Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-11
POOR PORTO RICO
Hurricane Killed Hundreds Of People
and a Hundred Thousand Are
Destitute.
AMERICANS CHARITY ASKED
The Army Subsistence Department Will
Help the Natives Until Supplies Oan Be
Sent-President Mckinley Desires
the People to Contribute.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE War de-
partment today received a cablegram
from General Davis giving fuller de-
tails of the damage done at Porto Rico
by the hurricane.
General Davis says that famine is i'm
pending and asks authority to issue ra-
tions to the destitute. The message,
dated yesterday, says.
Later reports show that the hurri-
cane was far more severe in the interior
and southern part of the island than
here. The data for an estimate of the
number of Porto Ricans who lost every
thing is deficient, but am forced to be-
lieve the number cannot fall below 10O,-
900 and famine is impending.
II ask 2,500,000 pounds of rice and
beans, equal quantities of each, to be
Immediately shipped on transports to
Ponce and some here. l have urgent
appeals of all post commanders for food
for the destitute. Am l authorized to
relieve distress by food issues? Rice
and beans only desired. There have
been many deaths of natives by falling
walls. So far only one soldier is report
ed dangerously injured. Several towns
are reported entirely demolished. As
yet have reports from only four posts.
"There was complete destruction of
all barracks at two and at two others
one company each had barracks de-
stroyed. The troops are in canvas. No
reports yet from the largest posts, Ponce
and Mayaguez, but they were in che
vortex of the storm.
sat least half the people of Porto
Rico subsist entirely on fruit and vege
tables and the storm entirely destroyed
this source Of supply"
PONCE IN BAD FIX.
San Juan, Porto Rico, Aug. lit is
now said that 500 persons lost their
lives at Ponce during the hurricane.
Terrible distress prevails there. Arroyo,
on the south side, has been destroyed.
Sixteen lives were lost there and the
town is still submerged.
At Guayamo few houses are still
standing. Several persons were killed
there. A number Of houses were pill
laged, and squads Of soldiers are unable
to maintain order and starvation threat.
ems the population. The water supply
at San Juan is stopped. The Coamo
Spring hotel has been wrecked. 1t be-
longed to Porto Rico company in
Philadelphia.
AMERICAN PEOPLE APPEALED TO
Washington, Aug. 11.-Secretary Root
has prepared an appeal to the people of
the United States for aid to those who
suffered in Porto Rico by the recent cy-
clone. This action was taken upon re-
ceipt of a telegram from President Nc
Kinley suggesting that it be done. The
subsistence department of the army in
Porto Rico has been directed to render
such temporary aid as it can until sup
plies arrive.
CALL FOR HELP.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE following
to General Schwan was today received
at the War department.:
''San Juan, Porto Rico, Aug. 10.-My
country devastated; for Gods sake help
us. Captain Lugo Vina.'
Lugo Vina is a Porto Rican general
Schwan met during the campaign.
IN SANTO DOMINGO.
Puerta Plata, Aug. 11.-All telegraph
lines are down and communication with
the interior is impossible. Railroad
lines at Soba are badly damaged.
SUPPLIES GOING.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE War de-
partment has taken prompt action on
General Davis report The army trans
port Mcpherson has been ordered to sail
from New York to San Juan and Ponce
next Monday with supplies to relieve the
destitute of Porto Rico. Acting Com
missary General Weston has ordered the
purchase of 100000 pounds of rice and
600, 900 pounds of beans to be shipped
on the Mcpherson and such other food
supplies as may be obtained at the time
the Mcpherson sails will be sent.