INDIES DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 7

INDIES DAMAGE.

PORTO RICO DOOMED. Aftermath Of Destitution Reported. " HOPELESS SITUATION. , ' (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, September 18. President Coolidge's plea for the alleviation of the suffering of Porto Rico has already received a warm response from the United States, and it is probable that a number of Government boats will be pressed into eervice for Porto Rican relief. Fragmentary dispatches continue to emphasise the destitution of the people, and declare that the hurricane is the worst that has ever struck the Weet Indies. Porto Rico seems to be faced with an almost hopeless economic situation, as the destruction caused by the hurricane follows a period of debt. • A message from Jamaica says the neighbouring islands were heavily damaged by a wind storm which reached a velocity of 120 miles an hour. Several small vessels were lost, and there were at least 30 deaths. At Nassau the damage to property is heavier than in 1920. From Nagua and Mayaguna heavy loss of life is reported. Havana is reported to have received the backwash of the storm, which swept •tremendous seas over the boulevards and caused very heavy damage. AREA OF, 2000 MILES. Heavy Destruction In British Possessions. CRUISER DURBAN TO RESCUE. (British Official Wireless.)' (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 18. The- West Indian hurricane which travelled over 2000 miles since Thursday has swept on over the Florida coasts in a north-easterly direction. The Colonial Office, London, to-day received communication from Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, reporting considerable damage done, although there is no loss of life. Nassau is organising relief for the outer islands of the Bahamas. Other reports received at the Colonial Office states that the whole island of Monteerrat was badly hit and 25 deaths are' reported at present. These include no Europeans. Approximately 50 persons were injured. All Government buildings have been stripped, several estates levelled to the ground and twothirds of all the peasants , houses destroyed. In the Virgin Islands there was moderate damage, mostly to crops and roads, but no casualties. From Nevis comes the news of severe damage and thirteen deaths. In Antigua and St. Kit to there was less serious damage. The King has sent messages of sympathy to the Governors of the Leeward Islands, the Bahamas and Jamaica at the loss of life and damage resulting from the hurricane. The message tc Jamaica is in respect of Turks Island which is within the governorship. The Admiralty announce that the cruiser Durban has been ordered to pro ceed to Colon in case help is required in the Bahamas. She can reach Nassau if necessary, by September 25. The visits of the Durban to Acapulco and Puntt Arenas have accordingly been cancel led. Prince George is serving on th< Durban.