Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-08-31
Thousands of Homeless Persons
Wander About Streets.
RELIEF WORK BEGINS PROMPTLY
Soup Kitchens Have Been Established
for Feeding Hungry.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE POURING IN
President DiaE TeleEraphs 100000
and Ambassador Thompson
S1,OOO-Red Cross to
Take Charge.


LAREDO. Tex. Aug, SO--while condl-
tions are gradually being brought back to
normal as fast as willing workers can
bring about results. It win be many days
before Monterey win resume it's wonted
tranquility
The various organized relief corps are
busily engaged. Committees are endeav-
oring to secure Identification Of the dead
bodies as they are brought in by search
ers, while other committees are charged
with the duty of seeing to the sheltering
and feeding of the thousands Of homeless.
Hundreds Of the victims wander distract
edly about the scene of the flood hoping
against hope that they may be able to
encounter missing relatives or at least re-
cover their bodies and give them Chris
tian burial.
Prompt measures taken to house and
feed the homeless have proved effective
and very few, II any, have been permitted
to go hungry. Soup kitchens have been
established at four places, where a sub
stantial soup, as we'll as coffee and bread
is dealt out to the needy.
Press reports have estimated the loss OF
life at anywhere from 400 to 1,2O0 lives, but
private individuals venture figures even
more astounding. A prominent capitalist
in Monterey Pedro Trevino, who is denti-
fled with many important establishments
in that city, has hRzarded the assertion
that the death roll will eventually reach
1000. However IL is thought this estimate
may be exaggerated about the excitement
and chaotic conditions existing in Monte
rey. About 400 bodies have been recovered
There are several pueblo cities small
villages containing from 80 to 100 inhabi-
tants located along the banks of the river
to the south of Monterey, and 1t is re-
ported that these have been completely
wiped out and their Inhabitants drowned
1t is on this ground that Mr, Trevino
places his estimate of the total at
higher figure than has yet been stated.
While no American lives we're lost in
the flood several Americans suffered lO1a
of property
| The city still remains in darkness When
! nightfan comes there is always a motley
crowd vending its way in the din Of the
scene of the flood, which seems to exer-
else deep fascination over them.
Contributions Are Pouring In.
! MEXICO CITY, Aug. SO.-President Diaz
today telegraphed $4,000 to Monterey Vice
/
Ambassador Thompson $1,000 to the fund.
Others are contributing literally, a public
Subscription list having been opened in all
parts of the republic. The fact that the
Red Cross of the United States is to give
aid to the sufferers has been learned here
with profound satisfaction, on behalf of
the United States government, the Ameri-
can ambassador has sent condolences TO
President Diaz.
The National bank officials estimate the
loss in the business center or Monterey at
$5,OOO.OOO. The loss to the big smelter and
Industrial plants outside the city limits
will amount to as much. The value OF the
eighteen blocks OF buildings, mostly of
poor construction, which were destroyed.
is fixed at about $S.OOOOOO. The railway
losses, although not yet known, are be-
leved to reach 100000. Many of the
smaller settlements in the state have been
wholly destroyed or badly damaged. while
the crops everywhere have been ruined. 1t
lis estimated the total losses in the dis
trct affected by the cyclone and floods
will approach S9O,O0o,0O0
The latest returns today give the num-
ber OF dead at between LOO and 400 Cen
eral Reyes is said 70 have left his noun
tain retreat and is coming to the aid OF
the people. Reyes has been practically
surrounded by government troops near the
mountain town of Galeana for fortnight
The announcement that he is coming to
Monterey has created much comment, even
in the face OF the great disaster; possible
political complications are feared.
Eighteen Blocks swept Clean.
Eighteen blocks OF residences and busi-
ness houses were entirely washed away.
The more wealthy people OF Monterey, to-
gether with the American residents. ars
contributing 10 the mayors fund, which
is being expended for food The greatest
loss of life is said to have been caused Dy
the giving away OF the reservoir dam.
Monterey Is situated In a cuplike valley,
and is surrounded on three sides by steep
| mountains. The waters rushed into this
1 valley down the bed of the Santa Catarina
river. This stream is ordinarily $50 yards
wide. but with the advent of the flood its
banks were fully three-quarters Of q mile
apart. IL is estimated that eighteen inches
OF rain fell.
The federal authorities here are busy
! with the organization Of relief measures.
Benefit theatrical performances, bull fights
and fairs are being planned. Subscription
lists are being opened ali over Mexico City,
and other cities OF the republic are respond
ing to Monterey's urgent call for assistance.
Appeal 20 America for Ala.
WAshINGTON, Aug. SO-Consul General
Hanna. at Monterey. Mex. on behalf Of
the officers OF the American colony there,
has made an appeal TO the American people
to assist the destitute sufferers at Monte
rey.
In telegram TO the State department
today Mr.. Hanna says the dead number 100
and thousands are homeless.
FaE.V -. .f.,II.
appreciated. Mr., Hanna says, that the city
of Monterey, Of 10000 Inhabitants, does IS
per cent OF its foreign trade with the
United su ties. Nearly every person In the
city has suffered loss and many oG the
poorer class have lost everything