The Washington herald., 1907-01-18
RELIEF BEING RUSHED
Navy Sends Own Supplies to
Jamaican Sufferers.
RED CROSS ACTS PROMPTLY
Directs New York Agent to Pur-
chase $1,000 Worth of Necessary
Articles to BE Sent TO Kingston as
Quickly as POssihIe-In Need of
COntributiOns-NaYig Warned.

Orders went out from the Navy De
partment yesterday afternoon. following
a White House conference between the
President, Secretary of War Taft, Secre-
tary Of the Navy Metcalf. and Assistant
Secretary Of State Bacon. to Rear Ad-
mirai Evans. commanding the fleet at
Guantanamo. TO send the supply ship
Celtic to Kingston with authority TO Of
ficers Of that vessel 10 distribute all the
food on board.
The Celtic has probably sailed by-this
time. and viii be in Kingston before this
morning She has on board large guam
titles Of supplies, intended for the feet
and the aid that can be given from this
ship. together with the stores on board
the battle ships Missouri and Indiana
which are now at Kingston. viii surely
do much TO relieve the serious situation
reported in the newspaper dispatches
yesterday afternoon. The government
has proceeded entirely upon unofficial in
formation The only official dispatch
telling Of the disaster itself was one TO
the state Department Wednesday, signed
The American Consul
AS soon as il was finally decided that
the navy should rush supplies to Kings
ton, Secretary Metcalf communicated
with Representative Tawuey Of Min
resota. chairman of the House Commit
tee on Appropriations. asking him to Sc
cure the sanction Of Congress for the use
Of naval supplies in the present emer-
gency by joint resolution.
Red Cross Acts.
The Red Cross got busy early yester-
day morning when the papers showed
that the seriousness Of the situation had
not been exaggerated. Miss Mabel T.
Boardman. who is at the head Of the
officers OF the national organization, sug-
gested that $500 be spent Immediately
for supplies for Jamaica. 10 be shipped
by the first available steamer from New
York. Secretary Taft concurred. and
message was sent 10 Cleveland Dodge.
head Of the New York State branch Of
the Red Cross. directing him 10 make
purchases Of supplies TO the extent Of
$3.50 and ship them as quickly as pos
sible to Kingston.
No Presidential Proclamation.
The matter Of a Presidential proclama-
ton, calling for contributions 10 the Red
Cross fund was considered. and Secretary
Taft president OF the national organiza-
ti0n, went 70 the White House and talked
70 President Roosevelt Later IN the day
it was decided not TO issue the proclama-
ti0n. This was due 70 the adoption Of the
plan 10 use naval stores.
The Red Cross, however. is I'm need Of
contributions 20 make up the $500 al
ready authorized 10 be spent
AS was predicted by some naval officers.
the navigation around Kingston IS some
what unsafe. and il is doubtless impos-
si0le for the American war ships 20 go
very close TO shore A dispatch TO the
Navy Department from the New York
Offices Of the Hamburg American Line
says.
Following cable received from cap
tain Of our steamer President. dated
Port an Prince, January Is. Great eau
tiou necessary when approaching King
ston, as bottom OF sea has changed: /:
lighthouse demolished