Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-17
Porto Rico's Desperate Plight.

Tragically growing in extent as con-
ditions in the stricken island are re-
vealed with the restoration of commu-
nications, the Porto Rico disaster ap-
pears to be one of the heaviest blows
that have ever befallen an area of this
size. Now comes the sad roster Of the
dead, more than $50 known to date,
with evidences that the total will reach
to or beyond thousand. And also
comes revelation of the utter destitu-
ton of great numbers, perhaps three
hundred thousand people, whose food
supplies have been destroyed and for
whom there is no sustenance immedi-
ately available. Likewise comes the
evidence that the industries, chiefly
agricultural, of the island have been
crushed, one estimate placing the total
loss at $65,o0o,00o, a tremendous fig
ure considering the relatively small
population.
A feeling of acute apprehension is
disclosed in the dispatches from the
island A petition has been presented
to the governor for the declaration of
martial law to assure the effective dis
tribution Of food and a systematic
clearing up of the stricken areas.
Speedy action is needed to supply the
helpless ones with sustenance, to treat
the injured, to organize relief works
and to initiate reconstruction. The
American Red Cross is already active
and supplies will doubtless flow into
Porto Rico quickly, but there must be
systematic direction and the establish
ment of corrective measures on large
scale.
In ordinary circumstances all parts
of Porto Rico are easily reached from
San Juan, the capital. Under American
government remarkable system of
good roads has been constructed, COW
ering the entire island with network
Of communications. But in this emer-
gency these roads have been blocked
by falling trees, by landslides and by
ruined bridges. Though the distances
are comparatively short. there are nu-
merous places in the island which, in
this situation, are as isolated as though
thousands of miles distant. The to-
Biography of the island is complex. 1t
is tradition that Christopher Column
bus, on his return from the sec
ond voyage, in the course of which he
discovered Porto Rico, told the Queen
of Spain that the island was like a
crumpled handkerchief. Deep valleys
cross and intersect the mountain range,
which piles up to heights of over four
thousand feet. With the roads, cut in
shelves on the mountain sides, blocked,
the way is closed to transportation.
1t is imperative that everything pos
sible be done to succor the Porto Rican
people from their desperate plight. An
obligation rests upon the United States
to make good their losses, even those
Of major proportions arising from the
destruction of industry. If this assist
ance is not rendered Porto Rico, which
has been built up in prosperity during
the thirty years to the point of eco
nomic independence, will lapse into
desperate dependency from which it
cannot recover for many years.
Unfortunately, Congress is not In ses-
sion, else it would be possible to grant
aid at once from the Federal funds for
the rescue Of the island from it's pres
ent pitiable plight. But the urgent i'm
mediate necessities can be supplied
through public subscription, and there
should be no delay or hesitation in the
rendering of this gift of good will and
humanity in the name of the people
of the mainland.