The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-05-16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF.
The President Acts Promptly In Organisina
For Relief of the Destitute
Islanders.

Washington, May l3.-The president
himself turned his attention yester-
day to the extension of relief to the
sufferers from the terrible catastro-
phe in the Lesser Antilles. Although
congress had not finally appropriated
the funds necessary for the purchase
Of supplies, the president proceeded |
with the greatest energy to give
shane to the relief measures. Secre-
tary Hay was called in and brought
with him the dispatch from United
States Consul Ayme which served as
official confirmation OF the worst re-
ports of the extent of the disaster,
and. in the opinion of the president,
fully justified emergency measures.
Secretary Hay was requested to ac-
quaint Secretary Root and Secretary
| Moody with the presidents wishes,
and they were charged TO carry out
the details of the arrangements.
The treasury department was in
structed to cooperate. and II is sup
posed that this will mean the en-
ployment Of the revenue cutters ana
the medical officers Of the marine
hospital service.
The war department, with its we'll
organized supply departments, was
regarded as in better position than
any other institution to take charge
| OF the relief measures, except that ~
had no means of transportation. the
Sedgwick. which is out of condition,
being the only army transport on the
Atlantic coast. Fortunately. the navy
had a handy ship in the Dixie. which
arrived at New York recently from
n training cruise. She was purchased
lust prior to the Spanish war. and.
having been a merchant freighter, Is
admirably adapted to the service re-
qlired of her now.
Secretary Moody Immediately telc-
graphed to Capt. Berry, her com
mander. to ship supplies to be offered
him and TO sail at the earliest posi-
bic moment for Martinique. He was
authorized 10 extend relief to Other
islands if he found any necessity fol-
so doing. Navigation bureau officers
estimate that she can be coaled and
provisioned and gotten under way by
Wednesday evening.
The scientific departments Of thu
government will avail of the oppor
tunitv TO send on the Dixie as passen
gers or observers two professor
from the geological survey. a Har
ward volcano specialist also will u
given passage.
The United States steamer Buffal,
also a converted ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
will be used as relief ship IL tn
Dixie does not suffice.
Gen. Corbin. Quartermaste
General Ludington. Commissary-Ge'
eral Weston and Surgeon-Gener'
Sternberg were charged by Secretar
Root with the arrangement Of III;
part Of the relief measures pertainii
to the war department.
After n few minutes consultatis
official orders were dictated for II
guidance Of the three supply depar
ments, giving the scheme OF distrib
ton as follows:
n Three medical officers, with $50
OF worth of medical stores, etc; 81
Is. subsistence officer. with $4,000
,r- stores, consisting Of rice. dried fis
lin sugar. coffee. tea. canned soups, co
Of densed cream, salt and pepper nj
nv vinegar: one officer Of the quartz
or masters department. with 5000
ne worth Of clothing supplies for ms
lie. women and children.
nd Secretary Root indorsed the scheI
in as follows:
The above distribution is approx
81. and the purchases will be made I
ing cordingly, ready for shipment in ca
les the pending bill for relief Of Mar
lso nique becomes law"
md The orders directed that these O
nee GERS and stores be sent on the Di'
the to be distributed at such points
or may be designated by the navy
tai. GERS in command Of the Dixie uns
nit instructions given by the secrets
ers Of the navy.
elm The medical officers are 10 reno
ost | such medical aid as may be In tn
yer- power. in addition to the DISTRIBUTE
but OF medical supplies.
the Gen. Weston, commissary, IL
the graphed immediately 20 Col. Braine
(. the commissary officer at the y
mir York depot, directing him to exps
bins the allotment in the purchase Of !
ma coffee, sugar and other foods