Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1902-05-21
RELIEF FOR MARTINIQUE
Congress Votes 100000 For the
Aid Of the Needy.
PRESIDENTS SPECIAL MESSAGE
Consul Ayme's Report Tint &c, 900 Per-
Immediate Responso - President Di-
recting tho Government Iielief Meas
urcs-Ho ASKS Congress For 100000

recting tho Government Iielief nIeas-
urcs-Ho ASKS Congress- For 100000
Washington, d. C.-President Roose-
welt has sent tho following message to
Congress-:
ITO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives:
"One of the greatest calamities in
history has fallen upon our neigh
boring island of Martinique. The Con
sui of the United States ut Gaudelotipc
has telegraphed from Fort de France
that the disaster is complete; that the
city OF st. Pierre has ceased 10 exist
and that the American Consul and his
family have perished. He is informed
that 10000 people have lost their lives,
and that 10000 are homeless and hun
cry; that there is urgent need of ali
kinds OF provisions, and that the visit
of vessels for the work of supply and
rescue Is mperatively required
"The Government of France. while
expressing their thanks for the marks
of sympathy which have reached them
from America, inform us that Fort dc
France and the entire island of Mar-
Unique are still threatened. They,
therefore, request that, for the purpose
OF rescuing the people who are in such
deadly peril and threatened with star
walton. the Government OF the United
States may send, as soon as 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 ap-
palllnS form in Martinique.
| Il have directed the Departments OF
! the Treasury, of War and of the Navy
! to take such measures for the relief OF
these stricken people as lies within the
Executive discretion, and l earnestly
commend this case of uneXnmDlcd
disaster to the generous consideration
OF the Congress. For this purpose |
recommend that an appropriation of
$oOO,000 be made, to be Immediately
GyailinS.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
President Roosevelt cablcd the Pres!-
dent of France the sympathy OF the
American people in the calamity that
had befallen Martinique The French
Ambassador personally delivered a
message OF thanks from President
Loubet for the expression OF sympa-
tuy from this Government.
Word was received from United
States Consul Ayme, who proceeded
to Martinique from Gaudcloupe. He IN
formed the President in message
from Fort de France confirming the
worst reports of the disaster ut St.
Pierre. that 10000 people perished and
10000 are homeless and starving.
| There is urgent need OF all kinds or
provisions.
Both the Executive and the I,erislo
tive Departments of the Government
We're busy preparing for the work OF
rescue and relief in Martinique. This
Government was ready TO aid France
without her asking il. Without the
least doubt the resolution passed by
the Senate would have been pnssed
by the House in any case; but in the
meantime the French Government had
Informed President Roosevelt that
American help was needed; that rescue
as well as relief was needed. because
the eruptions had not ceased; and the
President forwarded this news TO Con
greSs in special message urging i'm
| mediate action.
The House responded by passing 4
resolution appropriating 5000. 600. as a
substitute for the measure passed by
the Senate appropriating 100000. The
Senate concurred In the amendment.
and the resolution went TO the Presi-
dent for his signature. Later the an
propriation may be increased TO the
figure suggested by the President.
Anticipating the action OF CONGRESS
the Executive Departments fastened
the work Of fitting the Dixie relief
party. Secretary Root directed the
purchase Of $4,000 worth of provis-
ions, $4,000 worth OF clothing, and
$4,000 worth of medical supplies.
Captain Gallagher, of the Commits.
sary Department In Washington has
been ordered to proceed to Martinique
and take complete charge of the disi.i
button OF relief.