WHITE HOUSE, _Washington, May 12, 1902_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:
One of the greatest calamities in history has fallen upon our
neighboring island of Martinique. The consul of the United States at
Guadeloupe has telegraphed from Fort de France, under date of yesterday,
that the disaster is complete; that the city of St. Pierre has ceased
to exist; and that the American consul and his family have perished.
He is informed that 30,000 people have lost their lives and that 50,000
are homeless and hungry; that there is urgent need of all kinds of
provisions, and that the visit of vessels for the work of supply and
rescue is imperatively required.
The Government of France, while expressing their thanks for the marks
of sympathy which have reached them from America, inform us that Fort
de France and the entire island of Martinique are still threatened.
They therefore request that, for the purpose of rescuing the people
who are in such deadly peril and threatened with starvation, the
Government of the United States may send, as soon as possible, the
means of transporting them from the stricken island. The island of St.
Vincent and, perhaps, others in that region are also seriously menaced
by the calamity which has taken so appalling a form in Martinique.
I have directed the departments of the Treasury, of War, and of the Navy
to take such measures for the relief of these stricken people as lies
within the Executive discretion, and I earnestly commend this case of
unexampled disaster to the generous consideration of the Congress. For
this purpose I recommend that an appropriation of $500,000 be made, to
be immediately available.