The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-17
PORTO R|CAN FAMINE
Though Fewer are Starving
There Than in India
THEY GET JUST AS HUNGRY
Scenes in the HUrricane-Dev-
astated Coffee Region.

citation of New York, has been in Porto
Rico for several weeks TO thoroughly in
vestigate the existing conditions and 10
use his judgment in recommending the
Central Porto Rican relief committee how
its surplus of $4,000 could best be spent.
After a few days in>this city he visited
Mayaguez, Ponce, Yacuco. Arroyo Quay
amo, Coamo, Cayey, Aieonite, Caguas and
intermediate towns. He travelled on
horseback into the heart OF the country
devastated by the hurricane Of August
last. His report to the committee will
recommend that a large part OF the Sc, 900
be expended fer an orphan asylum at
Ponce. the balance to be proportionately
distributed among the hospitals OF the
various towns and to go toward helping
the destitute in the way of providing
proper cooking utensils, etc.
Ponce was selected by Mr.. Corwine as
the site for the proposed orphan asylum
because of the terrible havoc wrought by
the hurricane in the vicinity OF the city
and in Ponce itself. Damage done by the
storm on the southern side of the island
was q eater than elsewhere. The heart
Of the great storm swept over the dis
tr;ct. and the coffee Plantations, which
gave employment to thousands OF Der
sons. were Destroyer sF as a conse-
quence many of the people have died of
starvation through want of employment.
In Ponce the number that met death from
the hurricane and from the food which
followed far exceed that of other dis
tricts, therefore the number OF children
without parents IS greater. Through the
associations formed by their homeless ex-
istence in the streets, these children are
liable TO grow up vicious. The establish
ment of an orphan asylum would tend to
better the condition Of the coming gener-
alton, would avoid sickness and would
reduce the mortality which would other
wise follow. The rainy season is about
due, and hundreds of poor. naked chill
dren are exposed to the unwholesome
night air.
Mr.. Corwine made a proposition to the
municipal authorities of Ponce, and was
assured by the mayor. Jose Guzman Rem
itez, that the matter would be favor
ably voted upon by the city council. The
Central Porto Rican relief committee will
erect an dequip the irphan asylum on
ground to be donated by the city of Ponce.
The municipality is to assume the finan-
cial responsibility Of its maintenance and
support Mr.. COrwine will recommend
that the building be constructed as
cheaply as possible, so as to accommo-
date great number of children. The
asylum, as planned, viii be capable OF
caring fir from 800 to 400 children and VIII
&c ;,l, n
ably viii be expended for equipment. The
Ponce branch of the Woman's Ala So
ciety and the Porto Rico Benevolent So
ciety have promised 10 lend their aid and
influence After providing for the asy-
lum about $4,000 will remain on hand for
distribution among the hospitals. The is
lands smaller towns are badly of fina1-
cially-dozens have not a peso in their
treasures Small amounts, says $3.50 here
and $500 there, distributed among the
smaller towns will accomplish a great
deal toward replenishing the dispensaries-
There are many towns without even a
physician.
1.-THE district around Yauco," said Mr..
Corfine to the correspondent Of the As
ISOLATED Press. seems TO have suffered
the most from the hurricane, and the
people there exist among most deplorabie
surroundings That town is the center OF
the coffee district, and even now, nine
months after ten hurricane, the planta-
lions are not cleaned up. 1. saw trees
which had been torn up by the roots. stil
lying on the ground. covering crushed
coffee trees. When I visited the island a
few months before the war. found the
coffee industry badly of, but now 1t is
worse. because the plants are destroyed.
This condition has thrown hundreds Of
persons out of work At ya1co, l saw
dozens camped nitutohy .oeUfoTiomm
dozen camped out IN the open air. poor
thin wretches. without strength enough
even 10 rise W to look at passing
stranger. the women thin-limbed. with
emaciated faces and hollow chests, the
men too weak 70 work were work offered
them. A thousand pounds Of relief sup
plies is being cooked by the authorities
us- dav. cooked because the pe0pel are
% poor that they have no means *
cooking the food themselves The soupy
cort Of mess OF rice and beans served out
to these 5alf-sarved people is deyoUred
as Il It were the most delicious pro-
duct.
ION the whse. I hnd the commercial
condition on a much frmer footing since
my last visit a year age The sugar ia
dustry IS on Its feet again. and although
the crop this year Is short. thousands Ok
tons viii be carried on every n0-thbousi
steamer FOR some months 70 coma To-
hacco also seems very promising. The
! future FOR the fruit business IL Port9
Rico is a-igai The FIortda crop has
been frosted for dye seasons. Frost Is
unknown IN Porto Rico. aid her frult
! capacity has never been tested F77lit-
/ IN Porto Rico have neve- seen cultivated
hut there has been Absolutely 70 market
/ Europe vas too FAR away. and frgii was
bsrred by tar8E from the United sszies
/ can foresee & rssh q fruit-Erowers n
the island from the states witEia 4 sea
months A. 10 srsit is under cssltigstion
/ ina newcomers wiil have u start vits re
setting oct OF thelr plants and & Eti onlg
be q raasetr OF a fen years EaEa Ezii-
xsvs zgIl te 5uilt 20 ecEnsSt tstss1 =
points aka ssacozst tozr-s. - SON p.
| Use frrsis l. rez8y fsr rnarEst aae -
/ special fruit stezz.e-s XII Fcz . lie -
/ sard. and the tip eaa easily - Sns1a
/ il thres and = half cays
/ SENATOR BUTLER STANDS PAT
7 -~s-s-..x "a IA Ne IA Eouafanse Is