Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-05-16

(Ala.) being the only one 20 speak
in opposition. The bill was passed by |
1876 votes to o.
The senate concurred in the house |
amendment to the bill. making an APP |
preparation of 100000 for the relief
of the people of the French West In
dies. The bill now goes to the presi-
dent.
Presidents Message to Congress-
The president sent to congress
Monday special message asking for
an appropriation of $500,000 for the
sufferers by volcano on island of Mar
Unique. Following 10 the text of the
message:
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
| tives: One of the greatest calamities In
history has fallen upon our neighboring
| island of Martinique. The consul OF the
United States at Guadaloupe has tele-
graphed from Fort de France under date
| of yesterday that the disaster is complete;
that the city of ST. Pierre has ceased to ex-
list: and that the American consul and his
| family have perished. He Is informed that
| &c. 900 people have lost their lives. and that
so 600 are homeless and hungry; that there
| Is urgent need of all kinds of provisions
and that the visit of vessels for the work of
supply and rescue is imperatively required
pressing their thanks for the marks of SYM
pathy which have reached them from Amer
lea informs us that Fort de France and the
entire island of Martinique are still threat
ened. They, therefore. request that, for the
purpose of rescuing the people who are in
such deadly peril and threatened with
starvation. the government of the United
States may send. as soon possible, the
means of transporting them from the
stricken island. The island of st. Vincent,
| and, perhaps. others in that region, are
also seriously menaced by the calamity
which has taken SO appalling form in Mar
Unique.
"I have directed the departments of the
treasury, of war and of the navy to take
such measures for the relief of those strick-
| en- people as lies within the executive dis
| erection. ard / earnestly commend this case
! of uneNa implied disaster to the generous con-
| sideration of the congress. For this pur-
pose recommend that an appropriation of
10000 be made, to be Immediately avail
able.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
white House. Washington. May l2, 1902"
The presidents message regarding
the Martinique disaster was read in
the senate and referred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
Preparing to Send Relief
Washington, May 13.-The presi-
dent himself turned his attention
Monday to the extension of relief to
the sufferers from the terrible ca
tastrophe in the Lesser Antilles. AL
though congress had not finally APP
propriated the funds necessary for
the purchase of supplies, the presi-
dent proceeded with the greatest en-
ergy to give shape to the relief meas
ures. Secretary Hay was called in
| aud hrnnuht Ns.ith hin, ha al
from United States Consul Ayme
which served as official confirmation
of the worst reports of the extent OF
the disaster, and in the opinion of the
president fully justified emergency
measures. Secretary Hay was re
quested to acquaint Secretary Root
and Secretary Moody with the pres
idcnt's wishes, and they were
charged to carry out the details OF
the arrangements. The treasury de
partment was instructed to cooper
ate, and it is supposed that this will
mean the employment of the revenu,
cutters and the medical officers of tn,
marine hospital service.
Relief ship to Sail Soon
The war department, with it's we'll
organized supply departments, wa
regarded as in better position thai
any other institution to take charg
of the relief measures, except that j
had no means of transportation, tn
Sedgewick, which is out of condition
being the only army transport on tn
Atlantic coast. Fortunately, tn
navy had handy ship in the Dixie
which arrived at New York recent
from a training cruise. She wa
purchased just prior to the Spanis
war, and having been a merchan
frsghter, is admirably adapted t
the service required for her nov
Secretary Moody Immediately tel,
graphed orders to Capt. Berry, he
commander, to ship army supple
to be offered him, and to sail at tn
earliest possible moment for Ma
Unique. He was authorized to e,
tend relief to other islands if /
found any necessity for so doin
Navigation bureau officers estimate
! that she can be coaled and prov
:; stoned and gotten under way
10 Wednesday evening. The scientit
-, departments of the government w
u, avail of the opportunity to send {
I'd the Dixie as passengers or observe
va two professors from the geologic
as survey. A Harvard volcano special
'od also will be given passage. The Uni
he ed States steamship Buffalo, also.
ra converted merchant freighter, will
of used as relief ship if the Dix
ha does not suffice.
Scheme of Distribution.
Adjt. Gen. Corbin, Quartermast
ins General Ludington, Commissary Ge
of eral Weston and Surgeon Gener
tie. Sternberg were charged by Secreta
ife Root with the arrangement of tn
dly part of the relief measures pertai
till ing to the war department. After
has few minutes consultation, official {
PIP, ders were dictated for the guidan
of the three supply department
piyinp the scheme of distribution