The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-01-24
ADMIRAL DAVIS
TELLS OF QUAKE
STORY OF AWFUL DESTRUCTION
WROUGHT AT KINGSTON.
FIRST DETAILS OF DISASTER.
Gov. swettenhan's Refusal of Offer
to Land Wreckino Parties -
Situation confus,ng.-Heip
Badly Needed.

Washington, Jan. 2I.-Rear Admiral
Davis, in his report on the situation
In Kingston under date of Friday
announces that the Jamaican authori
ties declined his offer to land wreck
ing parties to assist in the hospital
police the streets, clear away the de
bris and bury the dead, but that later
by request he landed blue jackets to
prevent an alleged mutiny at the peni
Tertiary (since withdrawn), and that
he had party guarding the consu,
hate. The West Indian regiment and
the insular constabulary are guard.
ing the town. The admiral reports
that there was no tidal wave and that
the fire which followed the earthquake
reached even the remote portions OF
the suburbs.
The full report was not at hand un.
til Sunday. 1t follows:
Naval Station, Guantanamo, Jan.
10, 1907-To Navigation Bureau,
Navy Department, Washington, d. c.:
Whipple arrived from Kingston with
following information from Davis.
Gable communication can only be had
by driving ten miles to Bull bay.
Wireless communication is down.
Actual conditions, town and suburbs
are scene of total confusion; great
part Of town destroyed by first shock.
Villas and government residences de-
stroyed. Kings house, three miles
from oitu racfdapna of ,ouarpor will
be blown up, walls so badly damaged
that the place cannot be repaired.
Trafalgar house complete wreck. Mrs.
Marshall, wife of general commanding
forces, was pinned under ruins of
house and remained in this precarious
situation more than an hour before
rescued. This will give an idea OF
extent of damage by earthquake alone.
Fire following in closely peopled por.
tons Of city, totally destroyed that
section. Steamship wharves are in
tact. Royal Mail saved 1000 tons of
coal and plenty coal here. Shipping
in harbor not disturbed. Vessels held
to their anchors. No tidal wave or
marine disturbance. Earthquake
about 40 seconds duration, occurring
approximately $40 p. m. Milder
shocks subsequently during perhaps
"a hours.
Gas to social conditions, the gov.
ernor, Sir Alexander Swettenham,
seems to be man of great power,
Judging from conversation with him
that he holds situation we'll in hand.
He assures me there is no need OF po-
lice protection or relief, declines my
offer to land wrecking party to assist
In hospital, to police streets, clear
away debris, to bury dead. He told
me this morning that loss by death
was 440 already accounted for; there
are still many bodies in the ruins.
The Cuban consul was killed, other
foreign residents seem to have es-
capped The American consul is alb
sent The consulate is represented
by vice conssl. have a party on
shore now guarding consulate and Sc
curing archives.
Later upon request, I landed so
men under arms from the Indiana to
prevent alleged muttny at peniten-
tiary containing between 500 and 900
prisoners, then proceeded in carriage
with government official to Kings
house. Governor with family were
living in tents: accompanied governor
to city and shall this afternoon prob
ably withdraw guard at penitentiary
as he assures me he is capable of CON
trolling the situation. He has West
Indian regiment. 900 strong, and two
companies of artillery. besides lnsular
constabulary.
I consider it my duty to remain
for the present at least; situation too
confusing and conflicting, stories, re-
ports, complaints and rumors too con-
Trajectory to enable me at present to
form clear judgment of actual stu
alton. Missouri Will coal tomorrow
and until | can give a clearer account
of the situation consider it opportune
that this chip should remain. AS far
as anything can do goes, one ship
fully capable of controlling situation
and fleet surgeon remains on board
Missouri. His presence and surgeon
of this ship are desirable under ex-
listing conditions in view of possible
emergency. l have been able to af
ford relief in many cases of private
individuals
EVANS"