Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-12
j. S. RELIEF SHIP
ARR|VESAT BELIZE
Mine Sweeper Swan Reaches
Storm-SWept City-Gun-
boat Is on Way.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The first American relief ship ar
rived at Belize, British Honduras, to-
day to aid in caring for the hundreds
of persons who were injured In the
hurricane-swept city.
The American Red Cross headquar-
tiers here was informed that the
Nays mine sweeper Swan reached
Belize at 8 O'Clock this morning. The
Navy had estimated it would make the
15o-mile run from Trujillo some time
between 8 o'clock and noon.
Gunboat on Way.
The gunboat Sacramento also Is on
its way to the stricken city with addi-
tional supplies from Puerto Cabezas,
Nicaragua.
The Red Cross also was arranging
for the purchase and transportation by
plane of other supplies from Navy and
Army stores in Panama and other Gen.
trail American countries.
No new estimates of the extent of
death and destruction in Belize had
been received. Previous reports had
placed the number Of dead at more
than $50, including 10 American priests.
From Porto Rico, which was stricken
Thursday night by another hurricane,
ports. A message from Capt. Antonio
sylvia, manager of the Porto Rican
Chapter, this morning said:
Reports from reliable sources cover
ing north and northeastern towns Of
Porto Rico indicate the storm did small
damage to private and public property
due to short duration and small radius.
San Juan, where center passed and
which was the hardest hit, shows slight
damage. Most of the damage was
around the poor district. where numer-
Gus houses were unroofed. They are
being repaired hurriedly by their own
ers without asking more assistance.
only Is families have so far applied
to Red Cross for relief A complete
survey is being made to ascertain the
exact number of houses destroyed and
damaged.
San Juan has gone back to nor
malcy as If nothing had happened. So
have the rest Of the towns reporting
Only crops really affected have been
grapefruit and coconut along the
northern coast. Up until this after
noon there have been two deaths re-
ported and eight persons slightly In
jured in 10 towns
Photographic communication between
all towns on island have been restored
General situation is absolutely normal
Storm Nears Cuba.
The tropical disturbance which hit
Porto Rico, distinct from that which
struck Belize, across the Carib-
bean, passed over Santo Domingo
yesterday afternoon. It was expect
ed to reach Port au Prince, Haiti,
in the night. If it persisted in its err
ratio course. 1t was due, the Belen OBJ
servatory at Havana said, in Southern
Oriente Province of Cuba today and
would continue toward Jamaica, in a
southwesterly direction.
The hurricane that struck Belize con-
tinued to lash Central American areas
and was off Frontera, Mexico, and the
Bay of Campeche late yesterday. II
then apparently turned toward Vera
Cruz and was reported last night east
or northeast of that gulf port and was
taking northwestward course. 1t was
believed by weather observers neither
would strike the Southern United
States.
Some damage was reported from al
sections these seasonal tropical dis
turbances crossed. At San Juan, zoe
buildings were unroofed and the naval
service suffered, the latter being
paralyzed.
While the estimates of the dead al
Belize varied from $50 upward, Par
American Always reported from it:
station there that at least 400 lives
were lost.
AS the various reports reached Wash
ington. the American Government
moved to render assistance. The White
House, State Department and the Navy
Immediately made plans tc give aid
and the American Red Cross sent relief
funds to American Consul Taggart al
Belize. The British embassy was ad-
vised by the situation by the State
Department and the White House asked
the Navy to offer its service.
Two Marine transport planes. carry
ing medicine and medical personnel
ragua, by the Navy Department to the
British town.
The gunboat Sacramento under
Comdr. G. H. Bowdey left Puerto Ca
bezas late last night for the 450-mile
run to Belize. 1t Is expected to arrive
early tomorrow morning.
Ship Due at Colon.
The cruiser Rochester, largest Amer
lean naval vessel in Central American
waters, was to reach Colon at the Pa
ClllC Gnu VI Tile HdHdIIld SdIldI dOOGl
noon and head north for Belize with
medical supplies.
Surg. Gen. Cumming ordered Public
Health Service Offices at Panama anc
Miami, Fla, to await instructions, or
word that anti-tetanus and para-ty.
phoid serums were needed
Vice Consul Robert OFT, at Belize
reported to the State Department the
death of the American priests in st
Johns College, a Jesuit institution. He
said that if American naval ships were
nearby, they could be used. OFT saic
authorities had requested a British bat
tleship, but it was feared none was
available.
Wireless communication was broker
at Belize, and messages were sent over
the Pan-American Always radio. They
told of Is boys being killed in st. Johns
College and that the government had
organized special police to guard against
the looting of stores and to protect the
food supply.
Medical Aid Hindered.
The crippled and wounded were
brought on crude stretchers to the first
aid stations, where harried physicians
and nurses treated them as quickly as
possible, although working with limited
equipment and medical supplies.
The Weather Bureau has issued the
following storm warning:
Advisory 10 am, center Of tropical
disturbance that passed near city OF
Santo Domingo Friday afternoon con-
tinued to move westward of the Island
of Haiti and is apparently near Navassa
Island this morning, considerably dim
inished in intensity, and no strong
winds are reported. Disturbance that
was over southwest Gulf of Mexico Fri
day morning apparently passed inland
near Tuxpam, Mexico"
BELIZE is LEVELED
ny HURRICANE AND