The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-08-16
PONCE SWEPT BY A HURRICANE.
500 LIVES LOST.
One Hundred Thousand Persons are Suffering
from Famine Gen. Davis Requests
Aid-Roofs Appeal.

The terrible hurricane which swept
over Porto Rico last Tuesday caused
the death Of 500 persons. and the prop
crty loss is enormous.
The storm struck Ponce Tuesday
morning at O'Clock and lasted two
hours. 1t came from the northeast.
Ponce was flooded at midnight. and at
least 300 persons were drowned. Two
hundred bodies. mostly those of poor
people and including many lhildren,
have been recovered. Hundreds OF
buildings were destroyed
report has been received at the
war department from an officer at San
Juan. Porto Rico. estimating that the
number of killed amounts to 500. The
same officer says q very serious con-
dltion of affairs exists at Ponce.
The following dispatch addressed to
Gen. Schwan was received at the war
department:
san Juan de Porto Rico. Aug. 10.
MY country is devastated. For
Gods sake help us:
Lugovina is one Of the Porto Rcans
whom Gen. SchwGn met during the
campaign.
The war department received ca
blegram from Gen DaV giving fuller
details of the damage done in Porto
Rico by the hurricane. Gen. Davis
says q famine is impending ana asks
authority to issue ratlons to the dos-
tltute. The message says:
Later reports show that the hur-
ricane was far more severe in inter-
ior and southern part of the island
than here. Data for estimate Of num-
Der of Portion Ricans who have lost
everything are deficient. but am fore
cd to believe the number ON the island
can not fall below 100000 souls, and
famine is impending. | ask that p
nf n - hannG
quantities of each, be Immediately
shipped on transports to Ponce Some
here. Urgent appeals to all post com
manders for food for the destitute.
Am / authorized to relieve distress by
food issues? Rice and beans only de-
sired.
"There have been many death OF ma
tives by falling walls. So far only one
soldier reported dangerously injured
Several towns reported entirely dem
olished AS yet have reports from on
ly four ports Complete destruction Of
all barracks at two. and at two others
one company of each had barracks
destroyed, Troops are in canvas. No
reports yet from the largest ports.
Ponce and Mayaguez. but they w.re in
the vortex of the storm. At least half
of the people in Porto Rico subsist en-
tirely on fruit and vegetables. and
storm has entirely destroyed this
source of supply"
APPEAL FOR HELP.
The war department Monday took
prompt measures for the relief Of the
hurricane sufferers in Porto Rico.
When the press dispatches and Gen.
Davis advices made known the extent
of the disaster steps were Immediately
taken to send supplies and the trans
port Mcpherson was ordered put in
readiness to sail from New York in Il
few days. She will carry rations and
other necessaries.
Secretary of War Root has sent an
appeal to the mayors of all cities Of
more than 100000 population.
The following dispatch received by
the war department from Gen. Davis
Monday, says:
san Juan, p. r. L., via Haytl:
One-6fth of the dwellings in the Is
land are totally destroyed, and their
owners are without any 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.
Great many thousands of cattle are
drowned and the debris carried down by
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 several times
tHlS
"The supplies ordered sent by the
government will help much, but will
last only for a few days, while destitu-
tion must continue for many weeks, or
some months, until the bananas grow
UP from the ground, for which fve
months at least are required. Cheap
cotton clothing is also needed for
thousands rushed naked from their
dwellings at night when the gale broke
Medicines are also needed most press
ingly, especially quinine and other
simple medicines.
II estimate that at least 1000 tons of
food well be required weekly for several
weeks
while / have not yet full data I re-
peat the estimate that at least 100000
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 10 the
food ordered by the Mcpherson / ask
that 1900 tons. above proportions,
should be shipped next week.
II hope the charitable people of the
states will contribute food. clothes,
medicines and money.