THE EARTHQUAKE IN JAMAICA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8721, 23 January 1907, Page 2

THE EARTHQUAKE IN JAMAICA.

American Sailors Landed-

Law-abiding Population Press Assocaition—Copyright. Kingston, January 21. On Admiral Davies’ arrival with the United States warships, Sir J. A. Swet-

teuham requested the warships not to fire a salute lest the inhabitants should be further alarmed. He also intimated that the assistance of the American crews would not bo required. The salute, was, however, fired and blue jackets were landed and patrolled and assisted in removing the debris and in the maintenance of order. Later Admiral Davies, in a letter, informed Sir J. A. Swettenham that the salute was fired owing to a mistake in the transmission of orders. He thought quiet work had been done by the bluejackets that day and it was possible to do a great deal to supplement the efforts of the authorities without in any way interfering with them. Ho therefore proposed, in the interests of common humanity, to land working parties next day unless Sir J. A. Swettenham objected. Admiral Davies added that lie had landed a patrol of six men to protect the archives of the American Consulate and ten of his men had cleared the wreckage from the Consulate, and then assisted a working party in catching thieves anil recovering a safe stolen from a jewellery store. This showed' that the ordinary police surveillance was inadequate for the protection of property. Kingston, January 21. The conduct of tin* populace of Kingston is on the whole admirable. The few. attempts at looting have been confined to rum shops and provision stores.

Providing For the Homeless-

A Heavy Death RollShocks Continuing. Kingston, January 21. The Guards did not need to tiro .a single shot, perfect order having boon maintained throughout the city. Three or four train loads of homeless and destitute people are sent daily into the country, where food and shelter are abundant.

London, January 21. The Press Association’s Kingston representatives cable that 17'17 bodies bad been found up to Friday'. Reuter’s Agency states that up to Saturday 700 bad been buried, and still upwards o£ a thousand remained unidentified. Shocks continue, averaging six daily. All buildings threatening to collapse are being dynamited. It is stated that Port Royal has subsided seven feet.

American interference Resented

The Misunderstanding

Asked to WithdrawAn Extraordinary Letter. K iNOSTo:;, January 21. Sir J. A.- Swettenham replied to Admiral Davies on Friday thanking him for all his assistance and offers, but said ho felt it bis duty to ask for tho reembarkation of tho working party and all the parties which his kindness had prompted him to land. The Governor adds that if, in consideration o£ tho American Vice-Consul’s assiduous attentions to his faintly at ins country house, the Consulate should -need guarding in his opinion, although he. Sir J. A. Swettenhain, was present, and it was unguarded an hour ago, I have no objection to your detailing a force for the solo purpose of guarding it, hut without firearms, or anything more offensive than clubs oV staves. I find your working«jj|rty to-day was helping Crcsswell to clear his store. Cresswel! is delighted with the work done free of cost, and if you remain long enough be sure all private owners wlil be glad of the ser-

vices of your navy to save them expanse It is no longer a "question of humanity, as all those dead died days ago. The work of burial is merely one of convenience. I will be glad to accept delivery of safe tho alleged thieves stole, of which the American ViceConsul has no knowledge. The store was near a sentry-post, and the officer in charge of the post professes ignorance of the incident. I believe the police surveillance is adequate. Not long ago thieves pillaged the house of a New York millionaire during bis absence at his summer residence, but this would not have justified tho British landing an armed party to assist the New York police.

American Admiral Shocked at Reply-

Sensation In AmericaBritish Papers Deplore the incidentKingston, January 21: Admiral Davies was considerably shocked at the reply, and called at headquarters house. Ho waited fifteen minutes and thou asked the Governor's aide to tell the Governor that, owing to his not desiring American aid, lie had countermanded President Kooscvolt's order to send the Celtic laden with beef for the relief of Kingston. Sir,LA. Swettenham arriving in the meantime, however, a private meeting took place and farewells were exchanged. Admiral Davies, interviewed, said the American field hospital at Winchester Park under missioners and Fleet Surgeon Norton, attended up wards of fifty sufferers for fractures of hones, skulls and blood poisoning, lint Sir J. A. Swottonham and the local doctors were greatly opposed to the American hospital and declared that they were ready to accept American supplies, but did not desire interference with the wounded. Finally the American sailors engaged in repairing the hospital building returned aboard the Yankton, which sailed on Saturday afternoon, the battleships following. New York, January 21. The incident has caused a great sensation in America.

Admiral Evans, in command of the Atlantic squadron, remarks that after despatching Hear-Admiral Davies with the battleships Whipple and Yankton, Davies considered his immediate departure was the only course consistent with the dignity of the United Slates. London, January 21. English newspapers deplore the incident, Und pay the highest tribute:, to America’s prompt and generous assistance. They, however, deprecate criticism until full official light is thrown on the matter. While Lord Elgin acknowledged and (hanked the American committees for proffers of help, all cablegrams to Sir J. A. Swettenham are unanswered. It is suggested in many quarters in America and London as a reason for Sir J. A. Swettenham’s rudeness that he is overwrought and unstrung by the catastrophe. Brisbane, January 21. The Postal Department advises that at Cooktown the gale increased to a cyclone on Saturday night, doing enormous damage. Nearly every building in town is damaged, and numbers wore demolished. The post office was unroofed and Hooded, and the wires blown down. The wind is now moderating, but it is raining heavily. Thu cyclone caused great destruction between Emerald and Clermont. The telegraph linos and railway communication were interrupted in various directions.

Press Association—Copyright. New York, January 21. t Admiral Evans, in .command of the Atlantic squadron, who is at Guantanamo, has received retransmits of Admiral Davis’ messages. One dated the 18th stated that after oilers* were declined, he landed bluejackets by request to prevent a mutiny at the penitentiary, London, January 21. W. Hall Caine and lleuter’s correspondent eulogise the marines. Tho former states Davis’ offer of eight surgeons was declined, though the general hospital was terribly overcrowded.