Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-03-15
FOOD DISTRIBUTED.
Gen. Davis Wants Supplies for tine
Destitute in Puerto R.c).
PRODUCTION OF PRECIOUS STOKES.


1
gland--soldiers Buried ~ Arlington
-IInited states Bond.
Washington, March s.-The acting
secretary of war has received a com
munication from Gen. Davis on The
subject of food distribution and re-
| lief of the destitute In Puerto Rico
II was the intention Of Gen. Davis, re-
Gently stated to the department, to
discontinue the free distribution OF
food about tie first of this month,
but the industrial conditions exist
ing in certain portions OF the island
rendered it absolutely necessary to
continue to feed the starving inhabit-
ants for some time longer. 1t is
stated, that in some sections the in
habitants are beginning to raise sweet
potatoes, but in the center of the Is
land, or the coffee-growing district,
there is nothing for the poor to eat.
Any discontinuance of the food dis
| tributi0n, therefore, under these CON
| ditions would result in large in
crease OF sickness and of the death
rate. The coffee planters are making
strenuous efforts TO clear up their
fields, but having no money for the
payment of their hands the laborers
have been laid off and are drifting
into the towns, thereby becoming
public charges. Unless fed at public
expenre starvation will result and the
military governor, therefore, has re-
ouesred shipment of 800 tons OF
rice, Goldfish and bacon in addition to
the 800 tons asked for about three
weeks ago.
In connection with the existing
Industrial conditions, Gen. Davis is
of .he opinion that the quickest and
most effective way of securing relief
would be through large expenditures
upon runic works. He states that if
he could put about $4,000 men at work
for period of three months on the
roads, involving expenditures for la
boz, tools and supervision of some
$4,000 month, the period of acute
distress could be tided over.
The acting commissary general Of
subsistence yesterday was directed
to secure the food asked for for inn
mediate shipment
Production Of Precious Stones.
Washington March s.--George +.
Kun1. the gem expert of the geolog-
zeal survey, has submitted his an
nual report en- the production Of
precious stones in the United States
for 1899. He reports an increased
output of sapphires in Montana and
the discovery of u fine blue stone
that afforded gems up to three carats
in weight. Beautiful sapphires Of
various colorS were discovered in
Grant county, Mont, The total value
of gems produced last year was $751;
no, gain Of SS4.S50 over the pre-
vous year. Diamonds to the value Of
5000 were produced in the United
States
A bust Of Washington from England.
Washington, March s.-'rhe president
has received through Ambassador
Choote n beautiful copy in wedgewool
ware of the bust of lIondins Wash
ington, the gift of Merton Russell
Cotes, cX-mayor of Bournemouth,
Eng. The bust bears this inscrip-
tom "This bust of the great Wash
ington, founder Of the United States
of America, is presented to the ma
ton through President Mckinley,
February 22, 1900, by Merton Russell
Cotes."
Soldiers Buried In Arlington Cemetery,
Washington, March S.--The remains
of &C soldiers who died In Cuba We're
buried at Arlington cemetery yes
terday with military honors. The
bodies of about 500 soldiers who died
in Cuba now rest in this historic
spot The officers at Fort Myer had
charge Of the services, which were
very simple. A Protestant and a
Catholic clergyman read the burial
service, taps were sounded and vol
ley was fired over the graves.
About United States Bonds
Washington, March s.--The secre-
tary of the treasury has decided TO
allow public deposits up to o5 per cent.
of the face value of the new two per
cent. bonds and also will increase
from 80 to Is per cent. the amount
which may be allowed on the old
twos. It has also been decided that
holders of two per cent. registered
bonds may receive coupon bonds in
exchange II they so desire and vice
versa.
- -
Considering Their Demands.
st. Louis. March S.-The demands