The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-23
TO AID THE R RICANS.
NEW ORGANIZATION OF CHARITABLE
AMERICANS FORMED.

IL Is to He Called the Colonial Danes Aid
Society-ten. and Mrs. Guy v. Henry
Warm Advocates of the New Movement
Both spoke In Favor OF II Yesterday.
A movement. the object OF which Is to he the
relief OF the women and childreo NJ Porto Rico
who are reported to be In a starving condition.
was started yesterday afternoon at a meeting
OF the Colonial Danes Aid Society at the Val
dorf- Astoria. The society had it's inception
about two weeks ago In the minds OF several
charitable women who desired to assist Mrs.
Henry. the wife Of the former Governor GEN
eral. in the work she was doing in Porto Rico.
Mrs. Henry. who, with her husband. was pres
ent yesterday. 1t was announced had accepted
the Presidency OF the new society. which Is to
act as an auxiliary to the Women's Relief 30
ciety Of San Juan. The meeting was presided
over by Miss Anne Rhodes.
Miss Rhodes explained that the society was
an outgIowth Of the Women's War Relief Asso-
citation. which did 80 much good during the
war. Then she introduced Mrs. Henry. who
said thai when she left Porto Rico some OF the
native women came out on a tue to ask her not
to forget the Women's Relief Society. Mrs.
Henry said that last October. when the relief
society was organized by some army women,
It was seen that II would be best to begin work
among the children. Some OF the members
went lUlO JHt bcHOOlS, u WIN uh"p'S w 49,
much. because the children could not speak
Engliah.
Another great trouble" said Mrs. Henry.
"vas in in increasing the little ones with the
need OF clothes. We made a lot OF clothes Tor
them, BUT they at first refused to.wear them.
We tried any number Of plans. yet 1t was not
until Christmas that We succeeded in inducing
some OF them to become civilized In TINS re-
spect. We had a big Christmas tree and in
vited several hundred children. who were told
plainly that they would not be admitted un;
less they were clothed. This had the desired
"A lot Of Porto Rican women Joined our so
ciety. but the crowd that hesieged our rooms
Tor assistance is beyond description. Tho wo.
men applying for help brought fancy YORK 81
the most beautiful patterns to be exchangea
B., supported ali thsy ask is a chance to sup
port themselves."
Gen. Henry said that IL some respects tho
When the Indians are. good said the Gen.
eral. mo one pays any, attention to them. II
q PM inte Gas ' This may be the reason why
We are paying more attention TO the Cqbans
than to the Porte Rleansi ! am m ar a r nswo
~ acquired possessions thai, hae given us no
trouble. To better the Inhabitants We must
o wor na Eifh IS sh a s Sn1!pe one. but but u %praet fe si Il IS a
very poor one. There are few schoolhouses
and the children are taught where the ah,eh teach each
most OF the school funds. The island at pres
ont is divided into Districts. which are regn-
larly visited by American teachers. school
houses should be built in the principal towns,
Religion there is none. as the churches do not
seem TO attract. The manner o. living amHng
and an attempt to elevate the people III this
respect will have to be made in the schools:
"A great work OF charity would be the cree
cupy at low rents. The people are proud and
high spirited. have never seen a %pegggGa ny
saw they are inappreciative: nv experience is
the reverse, and those who help them. i can
assure you, have no need to ask what Will the
harvest be-"
Others who spoke were Mrs. Luchetti. wife
Of the former French Consul to 81. Thomas.
the Secretary. announced that a steamship
line has offered to carry, the s%octety's SUP;
plies to the island for nothing. and she asked
for contributions OF clothing and money;
About $3.50 was collected. and more than 100
new members enrolled.