The evening Republican., 1902-05-14
WEST INDIAN RELIEF
Government and Citizens Join
In the Work.
The DIXIE LOADING IN SUPPLIES.
President Names Committees 10 Re-
eei,e Funds to Alleviate DistresS
of the Survivors of the Vol
cAnic pheavn1.

WASHINGTON, May l4.-From this
point on the war and navy depart
;..enis have decided to divide the work
of West Indian relief between them so
as 10 give the navy full charge of the
general subject of transportation and
intrus, the war department with the
accumulation Of the supplies.
or the little fleet of nYval colliers
which was placed at the disposal of the
relief workers by Admiral Bradford,
the Lconidas. which is now discharg-
ing her cargo Of coal at Port Royal, has
been selected as the most suitable one
to dispatch To Martinique, and orders
have gone forward to load her with
supplies and get her under way AS soon
as possible The question Of charter
ing merchant vessels to carry supplies
to the drsUIa,r island has now arisen,
but will depend upon the extent of the
voluntary contributions asked for by
the president and upon the further re-
ports of the situation in the island.
Secretary Hay has telesrahped to
Consul Ayne to ascertain the condi-
tons on Martinique with regard to the
fresh water supply, and if it be found
that such water is needed the tenders
at Norfolk and at Key West, which al
ready are being loaded by orders from
Admiral Bradford in anticipation Of
need for them. will Immediately make
for the little island.
! a telegram was received from the
! Dixie saying that she was al pier 10,
Brooklyn, loading the supplies of food
, and clothing which have been SO dill
gently gathered by the army officers in
charge of that work. She probably will
| be able to get under way for Marti-
niQuc during the day.
Offers of assistance for the Marti-
nquc sufferers continue to pour in.
Dr, Louis kopsrh proprietor of The
Christian Herald. New York, telegraph
ed the war department offering to fur
nish fifty nurses. thirty male and TWEEN
ty female, and l.G00 barrels Of flour
for the stricken Islands, to he contrib
uled by The Christian Herald.
The president has appointed a com
milter to receive funds for the relief
of the sufferers from the recent catas'
trophies in Martinique ard st. Vincent,
The men appointed from each city are
asked TO collect and receive the funds
from their localities and neighborhoods
as eXpeditiousiy as possible and for
ward them 70 Cornelius n. Bliss, treas
urrr of the New York committee
which committee will act as the cen
tral distributing point for the country.
The president directs all the pOst1nas
. tiers throughout the country and re
quests the presidents Of all the nationa
banks to act as agents for the collec
ton Of contributions and forward thu
: same at once to Mr. Bliss at New York
The postmasters are also directed tt
report to .he postmaster general within
ten days any funds collected OH this ac
count
The president appeals 10 the public
to contribute generously for the relic
Of those upon whom This appalling ca
lumty has fallen and asks that tn
contributions be sent in as speedily a
possible.
President Roosevelt has approved th
bill passed by congress approprlatin
4 5000, 900 for the relief of the citizens Q
V the French West Indies who have SUI
fered from the volcanic disturbances.