The San Francisco call., 1899-08-14


day from Governor General Davis re
garding the effects of the hurricane in
Porto Rico show that the situation is
even more appalling than at first re-
ported. Here are the estimates Gen
eral Davis gives of the damage
wrought:
One thousand persons killed by
falling walls. This number, he adds,
may be multiplied several times by
later information.
One hundred thousand persons
homeless and destitute.
One-ffth of all dwellings on island
destroyed.
All crops and most of the trees in
jured.
So greatly was Secretary Root i'm
pressed with the gravity of the situa-
ton that, after receiving Davis dis
patch. he decided to supplement his
appeals to Mayors of large cities, by
addressing similar communications to
Governors of States. urging them
to concert measures for the collection
of contributions. This appeal will be
sent out tomorrow.
Root said to The Call correspondent:
The Government cannot do much but
it viii do all in its mower to relieve the
suffering caused by this terrible dis
aSter. The Mcpherson will start to-
morrow, and l shall send other supplies
as rapidly as possible. In this emerg-
enCy, however, we are forced to rely on
the generosity of the American people.
We have no money properly available
for buying the supplies we are sending,
but until the contributions of the peo-
pie come in I shall continue to send
provisions no matter from what spe-
ciaI fund the money may have to be
derived. l viii not allow the people
TO starve while l have power to help
them. l feel confident that the pa
triotism and generosity of the people
Of the United States will not be ap-
peaIed 10 in vain"
Appended are the dispatches received
by the War Department from General
Davis to-day:
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. Aug. l9 (via
HaytD.-The true state of affairs
throughout the island Is not yet known
because of the total destruction of all
telegraph connections and great destruc-
tion on all roads. Not more than one
fourth OF the towns are yet heard from.
but enough is known TO warrant Iue
statement that One-ffth of the dwellings
in the island are totally destroyed and
their owners are without any 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 renance for support is gone
Fully One-third of the people subsist en-
trely on fruit and in a small degree on
tubers. All the former is destroyed and
much Of the laJler are rOtting in the
ground. a great many thousands of cat
=
down the rivers 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 sev-
eral times this number. The state of dis
tress is very great, and when the green
fruits saved from the debris are con-
sumed the suffering will be very great
I am relieving the suffering everywhere
in reach as much as possible. In out of
the way places are many thousands VINO
cannot be reached for some time. The
supplies ordered sent by the Government
viii help much, but will last only for
few days, while destitution must con-
tinue for many 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 have been
the main support outside of fruit. Cheap
cotton clothing is also needed for thou
sands rushed naked from their dwellings
at night when the gale broke Medicines
are also needed most pressingly, especial
ly qutnine and other simple medicines.
estimate that at least 1000 tons of food will
he required weekly for several weeks.
have constituted boards all over the island
10 regulate assistance and a general board
here TO conduct the relief work. While
have not yet full data l repeat the esti
mate that at least 100 900 people are home
less and destitute. The relief ration pro-
posed is one pound of food per day, com
posed of seven ounces of beans, seven
ounces of rice and two ounces of Goldfish.
IN addition TO the food ordered by the Nc
Pherson ] ask that 25GO tons, above pro-
portions. should be shipped next week
Before this is consumed I will have full
data respecting future needs. but [ fear
extensive issues of provisions will be nee
essary for several months. ! shall push
work on the roads and give employment
to as many as possible. I hope the char
liable people of the States will contribute
food. clothes, medicines and money.
Colonel Hofer, chief surgeon of the de-
partment, is chairman of the relief board.
and auxiliary boards are organizing in all
the towns. Five military posts not yet
heard from. DAVIS.
General Davis second dispatch:
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO, Aug. 13.-
Further but still incomplete reports con-
firm previous cable reports as conserva-
tive. Suggest an appointment of officer
in New York to receive relief funds and
supplies, cabling quantities and kinds
shipped on each boat Colonel Hofer,
medical department, charge relief work
here Should be shipped this week not
less than $500 tons of food Best to be
sent. beans, rich and cheap grade cod
fish Cotton clothing and course cotton
goods in piece, needles and thread also
for help. 1 recommend that bags for
sugar and coffee, all kinds of rough lum-
slaves and hoops for sugar packing and
galvanized iron and nails for roofing pur-
poses be placed on the first list. | have
authorized employment of labor for re-
building barracks at Cayeya and
Aihnrnan wholly DESTROYED.