countries assaulted by Hurricane Luis.

And Premier the Hon. David Saul pledged that Government would match public donations to the Red Cross, to a maximum of $200,000.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Industrial Union president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP urged union members and the general public to support fundraising efforts of the Red Cross and the West Indian Association.

Just as the eastern Caribbean was rebuilding from Luis, Hurricane Marilyn was bearing down last night on the same beleaguered islands.

Dr. Saul's announcement followed yesterday's meeting of the United Bermuda Party caucus.

"The Government is determined to help, especially in light of the many family connections which bind Bermuda and the islands of the West Indies,'' the Premier said. "Normally, we would match funds collected by the Red Cross, up to a certain amount.

"However, at the urging of our caucus group, ... the Government has decided to do something slightly out of the ordinary,'' he said. It would make an upfront donation to the Red Cross of $50,000, "to ensure that the campaign gets off to a good start.

`Thereafter we will match public donations, with the Government's maximum contribution being $200,000.'' Mr. Simmons said in a news release that the BIU made its call after contact with the Antigua Workers Union and an appeal from the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions.

Antigua had been "virtually devastated'' by Luis, and the BIU was calling for extra help for that country through deposits of canned goods at union headquarters.

"Financial contributions may be made through the BIU Members Credit Union in the name of the Antigua Relief Fund,'' Mr. Simmons said. "Any and all contributions, in this case, will be sent directly to the Antigua Workers Union which has agreed to facilitate distribution.'' The Bermuda Red Cross has accounts at all three Bermuda banks.

Late yesterday afternoon, Marilyn's centre was just east of Dominica and moving west-northwest. It was a relatively weak Category I hurricane without a defined eye and winds of nearly 80 mph with higher gusts.

Marilyn was not considered a threat to Bermuda. Her closest approach was expected to be 640 nautical miles southwest of the Island at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Colorado State University professor who predicted nine hurricanes would form this season, said yesterday that even he was surprised at the frequency of tropical storms to date.

Mr. Tom Milligan, a spokesman for Proffesor William Gray, said others were sceptical when Dr. Gray predicted 16 named storms this season. However, "the way things have gone, he may have undershot it,'' Mr. Milligan said.

"It would surprise him if it kept up quite this active.'' The US National Hurricane Centre said hurricane warnings were in effect for islands north and west of Martinique, including St. Martin, the Dutch/French island that was hardest hit by Luis's wrath.

As Marilyn moved northwestward just east of the Caribbean Sea, hurricane warnings were issued for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Hurricane warnings were lifted for the southeastern-most Caribbean.

Forecasters said they expected Marilyn to continue on a west-northwest or northwest track through Thursday night at a speed near 15 mph.

They said the southern Leeward islands -- which include Montserrat and Antigua & Barbuda -- should begin feeling Marilyn's strongest winds and heaviest rains within the next few hours.

The National Hurricane Centre expected little change in strength over the next 24 hours.