New-York tribune., 1902-05-13
SENDING AID TO MARTINIQUE.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT THEORETICALLY DIRECTING GOV
EHNlIENT RELIEF MEASURES
CONGRESS VOTES 100000.
LIKELY TO MAKE THE AMOUNT 100000
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRESI-
DENTS REQUEST
LEY TELEGRAPH TO THE rnIBuNE.

Washington May 12-Congress this afternoon
anticipated the Presidents message recommend
ing immediate appropriation of 5000 600 for
the relief of the people of Martinique by amend
ing the Fairbanks bill so to make that meas
ure carry 100000 instead of 100000. The
amendment made in the House. where
objection by Mr. Underwood of Alabama.
Sa turday. the Immediate passage of the Fair
banks bill prevented. When the bill
amended was returned to the Senate late this
afternoon Senator Fairbanks moved thSt the
Senate concur in the action of the House. and
his motion was carried unanimously The Presi-
dent will sign the bill in the morning and thus
there will be available at once for the relief
work undertaken by this government the sum
of 100000 1t is believed that in view Of this
appropriation the foreign committees of both
houses to which the Presidents message was
referred, viii shave down the amount recon-
mended by him 10 100000 and that the end
in view viii thus be attained much more readily
than if the whole awount recommended by the
President should be allowed in another bill.
which might incur criticism in one or both
houses that would delay its passage.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The text of the Presidents message is as fol-
lows:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
One of the greatest calamities in history has
fallen upon our neighboring island of Mar
Unique. The consul of the United States at
Guadeloupe has teegraphed from Fort de
France, under date Of yesterday, that the dis
aster is complete; that the city Of St. Pierre has
ceased to exist, and that the American consul
and his family nave perished. He is informed
that thirty thousand people have lost their lives
and that fifty thousand are homeless and hun
cry; that there is urgent need Of all kinds of
provisions, and that the visit or vessels Tor the
work of supply and rescue is lmperatiVey re
quired.
The Government of France while expressing
heir nix for @
have reached them from America, inform us
that Fort de France and the entire island Of
Martinique still threatened. They there
fore request that. for the purpose OF rescuing
the people who in such deadly peril and
threatened with starvation the Government Of
the United states may send, as soon as posSl-
BILE the means of transporting them from the
stricken island.
The Island Of St Vincent, and perhaps others
in that region also seriously menaced by
the calamity which has taken so appalling a
form In Martinique.
Treasury Of War and Of the Navy to take such
measures for the relief Of these stricken peo-
pie as lies within the executive discretion ana
/ earnestly commend this case OF uneNampleu
disaster to the generous consideration OF the
Congress. For this purpose recommend that
an appropriation OF SJOOOOO be made 10 be I'M
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House. Washington, May u, 1902.
The text of the relief bill is follows:
To enable the President Of the United States
O and distribute among the suffering
and destitute people of the islands of the French
West indies such provisions. clothing, medicines
and other necessary articles, and to take such
other steps as he shall deem advisable for the
purpOse of rescuing and succoring the people
who are in peril and threatened with starvation
the sum of 100000 is hereby appropriated
In the execution of this act the President is
requested to ask and obtain the approval of the
French Government. and he is hereby authorized
TO employ any vessels of the United States navy
and to charter and employ any other suitable
steamships vessels.
Mr. Underwood, of Alabama, said that he
opposed TO the measure and would vote against
IT. Members not here, he said TO legs-
late on the impulse Of their heartsrings
He believed it would have been more appropri-
ate for the President of the United States to
send a message IF coincidence to the government
OF France
M NcRae of Arkansas made an appeal for
prompt and unanimous action in the interest OF
humanity and Mr.. Livingston, of Georgia added
the hone that the country would not turn back
IInon lis record for succoring those in distress
without reference 10 nationality or locality
Mr. fitzgerald, Of New York sought To have
,ha aroount raised TO 100000 In accordance
,,.itb the Presidents recommendation but in
,,,eu, of the unanimous action of the committee
the amendment was not pressed. The bin was
,,aseed Io6 70 q Those voting in the negative
i,-ar Na.crs Burgess, of Texas Clavt0n of
Alabama. Gaines. OF Tennessee; Lanhan of
,ra.,oa. Moor of tennessee; Snodgrass of Ten
.essaa. Tate of Georgia; Underwood of Ala
h.ms and Williams of Mississippi.