The Washington times., 1902-05-13
THE CONDOR'S FATE
AT LAST EXPLAINED
PRESIDENT URGES
PROMPT MEASURES
Message to Congress Outcome of White
House Conference-President Lou
bets Reply to Condolences.


President Roosevelts action for the re-
lief of the sufferers of the West Indies
was characteristicaliy prompt 1t was
decided upon after Secretary Hay had
called at the White House with the re-
port received from Louis II. Ayme. United
States consul at Guadeloupe. This was
official and concise confirmation of the
press dispatches, which the President
has scanned closely since the first frag-
mcntary reports began to come in last
weel.
Consul Aymes dispatch was as follows:
The disaster is complete. The city wiped
out. Consul Prcntis and his family are
dead. Governor says 10000 have perish
ed. Fifty thousand are homeless and
hungry. He suggests that the RED Cross
be asked TO send Goldfish. -four, beans. rice,
salt meats, and biscuits as quickly as
possible. Visit of war vessels valuable" ="
President Roosevelt informed Secretary
Hay of his intention to send a special
message TO Congress on the subject, and
requested that he ask Secretary Root and
Secretary Moody TO at once plan for the
distribution of relief through their re-
spective departments. Similar directions
were issued to Secretary Shaw. of the
Treasury Department. which, it is expect
cd, will cooperate with the revenue
cutters at it's disposal.
The Presidents Message.
The Presidents message was brief and
to the point. 1t follows:
ITO the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes:
Zone of the greatest calamities in his
tory has fallen upon our neighboring
island of Martinique The consul of the
United States at Guadeloupe has tele
graphed from Fort de France. under date
of yesterday, that the disaster is COM
plete: that the city of St. Pierre has
| ceased to exist, and that the American
consul and his family have perished. H
is informed that thirty thousand people
have lost their lives, and that fifty thou
sand are homeless and hungry: that there
is urgent need of all kind OF provisions,
and that the visit Of vessels for the work
of supply and rescue is imperatiyely re-
quired.
THE government of France, while ex-
pressing their thanks for the marks of
sympathy which have reached them from
America, inform us that Fort de France
and the entire island of Martinique are
still threatened. They. therefore, request
that. for the purpose of rescuing the peo
pie who are in such deadly peril and
threatened with starvation. the Govern
ment of the United States may send, as
soon as possible, the means o, transport
ing 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
palling a form in Martinique.
II have directed the Departments of the
Treasury. of War, ard of the Navy to
take such measures for the relief OF these
stricken people as lies within the execu-
tive discretion. and earnestly commend
this case of unexampled disaster to the
generous consideration Of the Congress.
For this rsrpose ! recommend that an
appropriation of five hundred thousand
dollars be made. 20 be Immediately avail
able. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
white House. Washington, May IL, 1902"
President Loubet's Reply.
During the forenoon NJ. Jules Cambon,
the French ambassador, called at the
White House with President Loubet's re-
ply to the cablegram Of coincidence on
the Midi ilulQut NiSdSttI WHICH fItSlueHl
Roosevelt transmitted TO him at Paris on
Saturday. The cablegram read as follows:
Washington, May 10, 1902.
His Excellency. NJ. Emile Loubet, Presi-
dent of the French Republic:
81 pray your excellency to accept the
profound sympathy of the American peo-
pie in the appalling calamity which has
come upon the people of Martinique.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Paris, May IL, 1902.
President Roosevelt:
Il thank your excellency for the express
sion Of profound sympathy you have sent
me In the name of the American people on
the occasion of the awful catastrophe at
Martinique. The French people will GER
tainly join me in thanks to the American
people. EMILE LOUBET"
Prompt Action Urged.
Late yesterday afternoon Secretary
Root called at the White House and had
a long talk with the President concern
ing the plans for the concentration and
shipment of supplies to the scene of des-
olation. The President was especially
urgent that the most rapid steps possible
be taken, and directed the various de-
partments to bend their every effort to
the PROMPT extension of relief