Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-12
President Roosevelt Asks Con-
gress to Act.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
RECOMMENDS AN APPROPRIA-
TON OF $4,000
Training Vessel Dixie Ordered in
Readiness to Sail With Supplies
for Martinique.

President Roosevelt today sent to Con-
gress the following important message:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
'One Of the greatest calamities in history
has fallen upon our neighboring Island of
Martinique. The consul of the United
States at Guadeloupe has telegraphed from
Fort de France, under date of yesterday,
that the disaster is complete; that the
city Of st. Pierre has ceased to exist; and
that the American consul and his family
have perished. He Is informed that 30, 900
persons have lost their lives, and that 49,
go 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 imperatively required.
The government of France, while ex-
pressing their thanks for the marks of SYM
pathy which have reached them from
America, inform that Fort de France
and the entire Island of Martinique are still
threatened. They, therefore, request that,
for the purpose of rescuing the people who
are In such deadly peril and threatened
with starvation, the government of the
United States may send, as soon as pos
sible. the means of transporting them from
the stricken island The Island of st. Vim
cent, and, perhaps others in that region,
are also seriously menaced by the calamity
Martinique.
Il have directed the Departments of the
Treasury. War and of the Navy to take
such measures for the relief of these Strick-
en- people as lies within the executive dis
cretion, and / earnestly commend this case
of unexamped disaster to the generous
consideration of the Congress. For this pur-
pCSe L recommend that an appropriation of
100000 be made, to be Immediately avail
able. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, Washington, May II, 1902 -
Action Expected Tomorrow.
After the reading of the Presidents mes
sage recommending an appropriation of
100000 to assist the sufferers from the VOL
canic eruption in the French West Indies,
Mr. Cullom, chairman of the committee On
foreign relations, moved that it be referred
to his committee. This was done without
further comment.
Mr.. Hit, chairman of the committee on
foreign affairs of the House, was in the
chamber, sitting beside Mr.. Cullom, when
the Presidents message was read. The
committee on foreign relations of the Sen
ate will probably hold a meeting tomorrow
morning. and it is quite likely that a re-
port will be made to the Senate tomorrow
on this recommendatio ion of the President.
Acting under President Roosevelt's direc-
tons. Secretary Shaw held a conference at
the treasury this afternoon to determine
upon the plan the treasury can adopt in
sending aid to the stricken people of the
West Indies.
President Greatly Interested.
The President himself turned his atten-
ton today to the extension of relief to the
sufferers from the terrible catastrophe in
the Lesser Antilles. Although Congress
had not finally appropriated the funds nee
essary for the purchase of supplies, the
President had evidently assured himself
that the humane measure was sure to be
enacted. for he proceeded with the greatest
energy to give shape to the relief measures.
To that end he called for Secretary Hay.
That official had with him the important
dispatch from United States Consul Ayme,
which served as official confirmation of the
worst reports of the extent of the catas-
trophe and, In the opinion of the President,
fully justified emergency measures So Sec
retary Hay was requested to acquaint Sec
retary Root and Secretary Moody with the
Presidents wishes, and they were charged
to carry out the details of the arrange
ments. The Treasury Department was also
instructed to cooperate, and it Is supposed
that this will mean the employment Of the
revenue cutters and the medical officers of
the marine hospital service.
The first step taken was the distribution
Of the fund of 100000, which, it was sug-
gested, Congress should appropriate. 1t
was realized that the War Department
with Its well-organized supply departments
was in better position than any other insti-
tuition TO take charge of the relief meas
ures- That department could provide sup
plies, but II had no means of conveying
them to the West Indies save by shipping
them as freight on some of the merchant
the Sedgwick, which is the only army trans
port on the Atlantic side just now could
not be put into condition for many weeks
The Dixie Decided Upon.
Fortunately the navy had a handy ship
In the training vessel Dixie, which has re-
Gently arrived at New York from train
ing cruise. That vessel was purchased dur
ing the early days preceding the Spanish
war, and. having been merchant freighter.
is admirably adapted to the service re-
quired of her now. Therefore 1t was de-
cided to avail of that ship, and Secretary
Moody Immediately teleNraphed orders TO
Captain Berry, commander of the ship, to
take on the army supplies and sail at the
earliest possible moment for Martinique.
The navigation bureau officers estimate
that she can be got under way by Wednes-
day evening, which will require quick work
considering that the ship must be coaled
Tor long voyage and must take aboard
vast amount of supplies. The scientific
department Will also avail of the oppor-
tunity to send on the Dixie as passengers
or observers two passengers from the geo.
logical survey. while a Harvard volcano
specialist will also be given passage
The U. 9. s. Buffalo, at New York also
converted merchant freighter. Will also
De used as relief ship II the Dixie does
not suffice.
War Department Active.
Adjt- Gen. Corbin, Quartermaster Luding-
ton, Commissary General Weston and Sur
geon General Sternberg were charged by
Secretary Root with the arrangement of
that part of the relief measures pertaining
to the War Department. After few min
utes' consultation the following official or
ders were drafted for the guidance of the
three supply departments:
War Department,
"Adjutant Generals Office.
''WASHINGTON, May 12. 1902.
Sir: The following bill appears, by the
Congressional Record, to have passed the
Senate and to be pending in the House:
BE II enacted, etc, That the President
OF the United States be, and he is hereby,
authorized to cause to be purchased such
provisions, clothing. medicines and other
necessary articles as he shall deem advis-
able. and tender the same in the name OF
the government of the United States to
that of France for the relief of the citi-
Gems who have suffered by the late earth
quake and eruption in the islands of the
French West Indies.
Section 2. That the sum Of 100000. or