Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-13

with him the dispatch from United
States Consul Ayme which served as
official confirmation Of the worst re-
ports Of the disaster, ana in the opin-
ion of the President fully justified
emergency measures.
Secretary Hay was ordered to ac-
quaint Secretary Root and Secretary
Moody with the Presidents message
and they were charged to carry out the
details Of The arrangements. The treas
ury department was instructed to CO.
operate ana it is supposed that this will
mean The employment of the revenue
cutters and the medical officers of the
marine hospital service.
The war department, with its well
organized supply departments, was re-
ssardCd rs in better position than any
other institution to take charge of the
relief measures. except that it had 10
means OF transportation, the SodgWick,
which is out Of condition, being the
only army transport on the Atlantic
coast.
Fortunately the navy had a handy
ship in the Dixie, which arrived in
New York recently from a training
cruise. She was purchased just prior
to the Spanish war and, having been 2
merchant freighter, is admirably
adapted to the service required of her
now.
Secretary Moody Immediately tele-
graphed orders to Capt. Berry, her
commander, to ship army supplies, 10
be offered him, ana to sail at the carli-
est possible moment for Martinique.
He was authorized to extend relief TO
other islands if he found any necessity
for 50 dong. Navigation bureau Off
GERS estimated that she can be coaled
and provisioncd ana gotten under way
by Wednesday.
The scientific departments Of the gov
eminent will avail themselves Of the
opportunity to send on the Dixie as
passengers two professors from the
geological survey. a Harvard volcano
specialist will also be given passage.
The L. s. S. Buffalo, also a converted
merchant freighter will be used as
relief ship if the Dixie does not suffice.
Adjutant General Corbin, Quarter
master General Ludington, Commissary
General Weston and Surgeon General
Sternberg were charged by Secretary
t6OOC WIN lIG di t5tiitiliS VI lIlc l'tiL
of relief measures pertaining to the
war department. After a few minutes
consultation official orders were draft
ed for the guidance Of the three supply
departments. giving the scheme of dis
tribution as follows:
Three medical officers, with $4,000
worth Of medical stores. etc; one sub
sisterce officer, with $4,000 in stores,
consisting Of rice, dried fish, sugar, cof-
Zee, tea, canned soups, condensed
cream, salt pepper and vinegar; one
officer of the quartermaster's depart
ment with $4,000 worth of clothing
supplies for men, women and children.
The orders directed that these Off
GERS and stores be sent on the Dixie,
to be distributed at such points as may
be designated by the navy officer in
command OF the Dixie under instruc-
tions given by the secretary of the
navy.
The medical officers are to render
such medical aid as may be in their
power in addition to the distribution Of
medical supplies.
Capt. Gallagher of the subsistence
department, will proceed on the Dixie
to Martinique. He win be in COM
plete charge of the distribution of the
lstores and fund Of $4,000 was allotted
TO him for emergency expenses.
The character Of the Presidents in
structions to the departments con-
cerned in the relief work may be gath
cred from the text of the following let
ter which was delivered to Secretary
Moody. today, Immediately after the
President had seen Col. Ayme's mes
sage:
The President directs me to express
to you his wish that your department
90 to the further limits of executive
discretion for the rescue and relief of
the afflicted inha bitants of the islands
in the Caribbean. (Signed) John Hay
The quartermaster's supplies to be
-