Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-17
CATASTROPHE CASTS PAIL
OVER BRITISH METROPOLIS

LONDON, Jan. l6.-The brief dis
patches received here tonight, includ-
ing some from Kingston, declaring tha'
one hundred persons had been killed
in the earthquake Monday, leave the
country prey to renewed suspense as
to the fate of Jamaica's capital
Earlier reports, including govern
ment dispatches, had tended to mini
nize the worst features of the first
messages received and although there
Is an inclination to credit these official
accounts in the absence of confirma-
ton of the later reports, the relief felt
here this afternoon tends to give place
10 dependency at the possibility that
the worst fears viii be realized when
the full accounts of the disaster come
to hand
Two things stand out of the gloom
and bring intense satisfaction to the
British public. The first is the fact,
confirmed tonight in a dispatch from
Sir Alfred Jones, that the Jones party
are all safe. The second is found in
the prompt and active steps taken by
the American government to investi-
gate the real conditions and afford
the necessary succor to the unfortu-
nate city.
Special appreciation is felt at Secre
tary Metcalf's decision to act without
waiting for congressional sanction All
possible steps are being taken here to
the same end. but Americas generous
action is none the less appreciated
The king and queen and also the
premier, Sir Henry mpbell-Banner-
man, have fastened to telegraph ex
pressions of the country's sympathy.
and public bodies are arranging to
hold meetings to express their sympa-
thy and afford relief to the victims
Up to late hour tonight the colon
ial office had no further news to
communicate. and the public found
satisfaction that the casualties among
the English residents in the island had
been few
AT the time of writing this message.
however, a message was received from
Sir Alfred Jones, addressed to Elder
Dempster & 20. which confirms the
worst fears:
Kingston overwhelmed by an
earthquake Monday afternoon at $3.50
o'clock. All the houses within ra-
dius of ten miles have been damaged,
and almost every house in the city is
destroyed. Fire broke out after the
earthquake and completed the des-
truction. Ii is estimated that one
hundred persons have been killed ana
l,OO0 injured. The public offices and
hospitals are in ruins. Among the
killed are Sir James Ferguson. many
prominent merchants and professional
men and a great many natives There
were no fatalities at the Constant
springs hotel.
The business quarter OF kingston
rs now smoldering ashes. We are
thankful that sour party is all right
This dispatch from Sir Alfred Is
practically Identical with other mes
sages received from Kingston, includ-
ing one from a correspondent OF the
standard. who is with the Jones party I
with the exception that all the others
give the death list as several hum I
dred,' while a dispatch of a similar
purport received by the direct West
Indies Cable company says the loss
Of life was heavy" and adds that
Fort Antonio was not badly injured.
Al the present time. therefore. it
Is quite impossible TO form a reliable /
Idea Of the number Of. lives lost. from 4
me Information available.
King Edward. through the Earl OF 4
Eigin. secretary OF state for the cUi- 4
onies. telegraphed to Sir Alexander /
switzerland. governor OF Jamaica, as +
follows.
I am commanded by the king to