DISASTER IN NEW YORK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 305, 18 September 1920, Page 7

DISASTER IN NEW YORK

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION IN THE

STREETS

MANY PEOPLE KILLED AND INJURED DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT MILLIONS By Telegraph-Press AsßOciation-OopyrteM Now York, September 10. X violent explosion occurred outsido tho J. P. Morgan Company's offices, and the whole of tho financial district of the city was shaken. The explosion occurred at noon, when tho narrow streets . were packed with people. About fifteen people were killed, and at least 150 wore injured. Mr. J. S. Morgan, son of Mr. J. P. Morgan, was slishtly cut. The police are of opinion that the explosion was caused by a collision between n motor-car and a wagon loaded with T.N.T.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

(Rec. September 17. 9.10 p.nu)

New York, September IG. There is great confusion still surrounding the 'scene of tho explosion, which iii "rinsidered to be the worst disaster of its' kind ever occurring on Manhattan Island.' The property damago alone will probably mount into millions, while th© total of the known dead has not been determined yet. Several persons who wero sitting in. automobiles near the place where the explosion occurred vara torn to bits. Horses were riven into fragments. Military were called out and surrounded the explosion area with drawn bayonets, no 0110 ljeing allowed to pass. Hundreds of thousands of persons occupying skyscrapers fti tho oxplosion area crowded into the streets. Absolutely blocking traffic, ns tho thoroughfares in that section of the city are extremely narrow. All Hie glass windows in the area, wore shattered and the buildings pockmarked as though by shell-fire. Many of the injured are suf fpring with wounds from flying debris Among the killed, which are now estimated to bo thirty, aro several women.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THEORIES AS TO CAUSE OF EXPLOSION

SCENE RESEMBLED A BATTLE' HELD. (Rec. September 17, 10 p.m.)

New York,. September 10. While the exact cause of the explosion may never be determined, the bes* theories existing at the time of writing are that a load of T.N.T. accidentally exploded while near the Morgan Company's office; There had been an excavation for a new building near by, and explosives were being used; or a wagonload of T.N.T. was timed to explode as a big bomb while diirectlv before Mor Ban's office. Tim United States SubTreasury, directly opposite Morgan's place, was badly damaged. Observers say the scene immediately after the explosion resembled a battlefield. A cloud of smoke and dust toso in a huge spiral and debris was tossed about wildly, causing injury everywhere, blood colouring (he streets.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN INQUifORDERED (Ree. September 18, 0.10 a.m.) New York, September 16. The "New. York Times" Washington correspondent telegraphs that. Mr. A. M. Palmer (Attorney-General) has ordered an inquiry into the New York explosion. A sppcLnl agent has been dispatched to begin investigations. It is declared' that ; f the explosion proves to be a bomb oulrape it will completely vindi-cate-Mr. Palmer's recent anti-Red cam-paign—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.