The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-12

WARRINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE depart,
ment today took prompt measures fol-
the relief OF the hurricane sufferers II
Porto Rico. When the press dispatches
extent Of the disaster. steps were imme
dtateiy taken TO send supplies, and thu
transport Mcpherson was ordered put In
readiness 10 sail from New York on Mon
day next. She will carry grains and 9th
er necessaries. The secretary OF war thil
afternoon sent the following appeal TO ths
mayors Of cities Of more than i5o. 90 pop
uiation:
''Sir: The governor general OF Porto
Rico confirms the report that upon the
Sth instant hurricane swept over that
island. entirely demolishing many Of
the towns. destroying many lives and
reducing. so near az he can estimate,
not less than 100 90 Jf the inhabitants
To the condition OF absolute destitution.
without homes and food.
'sUniess Immediate and effective re-
lief Ii given to these unfortunAtes they
viii perish. Under these conditions the
president deems that an appeal should
be male 10 the humanity OF the Amer
lean people.
1T is an appeal TO their patriotism
also. for the inhabitants Of Porto Rico,
have freely and gladly submitted them
selves 10 the guardianship OF the
United States. and have voluntarily
surrendered the protection Of Spain. to
which they we're formerly entitled. CON-
fdensly relying Upon more gen rous and
benefcsnt treatment at our banda Tho
Highest considerations OF honor and
good faith unite With the prompsings
OF humanity to require from the United
States generous response 10 the de-
rnand OF Porto Rico In distress.
This department has directed tho
immediate distribution Of rations to The
sufferers by the army In Porto Rico.
80 far as Il In within the power Of the
executive, but IN the absence Of any
appropriation we must rely largely
upon private contributions
II beg you VIII call upon the public
spirited and humane people OF your city
10 take active and Immediate measures
In this exigsney. The government
transport McPherson viii be sent d.
recs.y from the port OF New York 10
Porto Rico on Monday. the 18th inst,
to carry all supplies OF food which can
be obtained Further transports VIII
be sent at future dates, Of which pub
lie notice will be given.
ANY committee charged with the
raising Of funds viii receive fun snfor-
natscn and advice upon communicate
inx with this department Very re-
spectfully. "ELIHu ROOT.
Secretary OF War"
Five Hsnared kilIed ut san Jsan.
A report has been received at the wa
department from an officer at San Juan
Porto Rico. estimating that the number o
Killed amounts To ao The same office
says very serious condition Of Affairs ex
lists In Ponce
The war department today received tht
eabi~zram from Gen. DAYS:
Later reports show the hurricane to
have been far more severe In the inie-
rsor and southern par, Of the island
than here Data for an estimate OF the
number OF Porto Rieans who have lost
everything are deficient. hut am
forced 30 believe that the number on
the Island cannot fall below ice 90 souls,
ard famine Is impending. I ask tina,
two and q half miii.on pounds Of rice
and beans. equal In quantity each, be
immediately shipped ON transports TO
Ponce and some here. Urgent appeals
are made to all post commanders for
InDd TOT t1e asFftsufe4 Am l AufE9g-
fxcd to relieve the distress by food is
suesT Rice ard beams only are desired.
There have been many deaths OF ma
tsvcs by falling walls. So far only ora
soldier Is reported dangerously injured
Several towns are reported entirely de-
rsalsshesi As yet ] have reports srczn
only fear ports. There was roupaet@
destruction Of all Ssrracks AT ,ws. ard
az two eshsrs GRE company os sach had
barracks destroyed Tire troops are In
canvas. No reports have hcen received
frou the largest ports renc. and May
asuez. huf shwy were IN ffe vortex os
the STERN A. least half os the reopae
In Porto Rice are subsisssEg entirely an
frus, ard vegetables. and the storm has
entirely destroyed this source Of sup
port DAVIS"
s~ppsie. For the Destitute.
TIE war department; Aas taken sross2
sessan on ss.asTas Davis report. The ARA,
transport Msrasrsan has eesn ordered q
sail fresn Nex York Tor san rnAa zaS
Peace next Men4ay w7ts sappsEss 10 -
hsve slse ssassssusa in revto Rico. Act
srx cansrssxAsy tf~n@ral wswor Aas or
s.~geA sha purchase n Nos York ef sso
sse gassAx ~ rise anA SsssS nsgreis q
beans 70 BE xAiar~s Oh ths Meeherson
saeh ether fset sapgises - may h~ %
tanned at the tsm. tie MsYasrSsa call
viii ee sect On shA: sasa
ss~rma Appr~arhsnG the Ceasf-
TAe ~sztAe- hszrvas ss@sszs fAe solaow
.zs hasrsr&as beGsefgn At sssss am
Hurricane rxnser agearsatsy &p-
geoASAGnx NaA&Asl, Bahama Sierra