The Wahpeton times., 1919-01-09
Great Work Of People Of Island
Revealed for First
Time.
RECORD IS AMAZING one
Achievements in Raising Army, Help
ing Red Cross and Boosting Lib
crty Loans Are Recounted-
Faced Big Handicap in
Earthquake.

San Juan, Porto RicO.-What the
people OF Porto Rico have done in the
war will gain for them the friendship,
love and gratitude of the entire popu-
lation of the United States. The war
activities of this patriotic island have
been so effective that one cannot help
but become amazed at all that has
been accomplished.
That thousands of people here have
done everything within their power. to
save and give, in an effort to help win
this war is the simple TRUTH and they
can well feel proud of their record.
To every single appeal made in behalf
of the war Porto Rico has responded
CALAMITY. Ten million dollars has
been invested in the four Liberty
l0ans. The spirit of the people was
well demonstrated in the fourth Lib
erty loan drive, when the island ex-
ceetled her quota Of $4,O0O.OOO by al
most $4,000 despite the disaster
caused by the earthquake, which cost
Porto Rico millions of dollars. This
calamity occurred during the drive.
The beautiful cities of Mayagues and
Aguadilla were virtually destroyed
but they exceeded their quota.
The Red Cross has spread it's light
to every nook and corner of Porto
Rico. The Porto Rican cnapter of the
American Red Cross has undertaken
every branch of work conducted in the
States. The great work which the
chapter Is now doing in the matter of
home service has been developed since
the call of the men of Porto Rico to
Camp Las Casas.
Home Service Work.
There are fully organized active
branches of the society in every mu-
nicipality. Through these branches
the most devoted and patriotic service
is being given to the work of the Red
Cross by the people of the entire is
land. This is especially true in con-
nection with the home service work,
which means the bringing of help and
comfort and giving material means of
support 60 the wives, children and 9th.
er dependents of the men who have
Joined the army. There are 65 active
and patriotic committees of home serv.
ice.
The Red Cross is doing great work
in looking after the needy and desti-
tute families of the soldiers at Camp
Las Casas. During August the chap
ter cared for 2.O5S families of soldiers.
During September 1.O19 families were
cared for. The recent earthquakes
added greatly to the relief work.
In the second war fund drive, which
was carried on throughout the island
in the months of May and June, 1918,
the people made donations in excess
of 100000.
Mr.. Mack Jones, coffee planter and
mayor of the little town of Villalba.
has this to say of the people in his
home vicinity: "We weye asked for
$S,4OO in the third Liberty loan. Small
merchants and day laborers made q
canvass of the little town and the
surrounding mountain sides on horse
back. The laborers in this region get
about GO cents day, yet these good
people were able to raise $4,000, or
80 per cent more than their quota. If
you could but see the cliffs they
climbed ar.i the dangerous trails they
followed, where a missrep means a
drop Of 1000 feet or more. in their
work Of solicitation on behalf of Uncle
Sam 1t would make you wish that
Washington could know the full meas.
nre Of their devotion. Does not this