Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-11

which comes to US OF the great destruction
Of lfe and property IN the island Of
Martinique and Of the probable loss Of both
In ali history there seems to have been
but one disaster OF similar character which
was equal to Il. IL would seem from the re-
ports which have come to us that Il is ex-
ceeded only by the destruction OF Pompell.
II is indeed, to be hoped that later and
present estimate Of the tremendous loss Of
That there is immediate necessity that
aid should be extended the survivors there
can be no doubt.
Let the United States lead in the act of
caring for the stricken. 1t and its people
have never failed vet to be moved by he
cry Of distress which has come up from
other lands. Let us extend our sympathy
with IL from our abundant stores the
means necessary to succor those upon
whom has fallen a sudden and overwheim-
/ believe in rendering our sympathy and
assistance we shall but interpret the wishes
ana purposes of the humane, generous
The bill was passed without further com
ment.
The house failed to concur in the s~enate's
action. preferring to let the matter go un-
I'll Monday to obtain more comprehensive
details Of the disaster.
The United States government is willing
and anxious to do anything within its
power TO aid the survivors of the terrible
calamity on the island Of Martinique. The
difficulty Is to ascertain Just what can be
done and the extent OF the needs. Then.
too, there are limitations upon the power
OF the executive to proceed in such mat
tiers.
Secretary Moody and Secretary Hay have
been deeply interested in the subject and
while the former already has sent to the
commandant at San Juan authorization to
dispatch the United States steamer Po-
tomac to Martinique in his discretion. Sec
rotary Hay has empowered Assistant Sec
rotary Hill with the duty Of comforting
with the Navy department to devise other
plans Of relief. Potomac is nothing more
than a large sea-going tug OF very limited
carrying capacity, either Of passengers or
freight. About the only useful purpose it
would serve, in the opinion Of the naval
officers, is to make a quick trip to Mar
Unique or to the nearest approachGbl Dc
point and ascertain from personal inspec-
ton the precise needs of the survivors,
which may afterward be satisfied by sup
plies dispatched on merchant vessels.
News also is awaited from Cincinnati,
Just arrived at San Domingo City, and IL
Captain Mclean reports that the normal
conditions have been restored after the
revolution at that place Cincinnati will be-
come available as a relief ship, although it
would take three or four days to reach
the scene.
Captain Mclean of Cincinnati has re-
ported to the Navy department the arrival
of that ship at San Domingo this morning.
1t is possible that IL the political situation
on the island warrants it the ship will be
sent over to Martinique to afford aid to the
survivors of the catastrophe.
The secretary Of the navy found. after
consulting with Assistant Secretary Hill.
that it would be safe to take Cincinnati
away from San Domingo. The reason for
This belief was the following cablegram
from Consul Maxwell at San Domingo City:
THE situation in San Domingo is i'm
proving. The provisional government has
been announced at the seaports and for the
most part In the interior. All executive
AFFAIRS are under the provisional govern
ment and Vazquez is the provisional pres
ident."
1t is possible Potomac has already left
San Juan for Martinique, but there is
doubt on this point, because the Navy de-
has not yet been able to secure
a response to an inquiry on this point sent
by cable this NOR .ng to the commandment
OF the naval station at San Juan.
AS a further precautionary measure Sec
rotary Moody sent the following telegram
to the commandant Of the BROOKLYN navy
yard:
Order Dixie to prepare for sea as soon
as practicable. Report when it can be
made ready"
Dixie is a ship of considerable CARRYING
capacity and would be better fitted than any
OF the regular naval ships to hasten to
Martinique with relief supplies. which
probably can be obtained more readily at
New York than at any Of the West Indian
Islands.
AS a still further measure Of help the
State department today cabled to United
States Consul Ayme at Guadeloupe to pro-
coed at once to Martinique to report upon
the conditions there and inform the United
States government what help is needed.
The consul had previously reported that
a French ship, supposed to be the cruiser
suchet, was about to leave Guadeloupe for
the wrecked island and 1t is assumed that
he was willing and even anxious to 90
along.
VAST RICHES ARE LAID WASTE