Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-21
ADMIRAL DAVIS TELLS
OF ACTUAL CONDITIONS
IN THE STRICKEN CITY
Rv Associated Press.

]
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-Rear Ad-
miral Davis at Kingston in his report
in the situation in the stricken city
under date of Friday, announces that
| the Jamaican authorities declined his
offer to land working parties to assist
in the hospital, police the streets, clear
away the debris and bury the dead,
! but that later, by request, he landed
bluejackets to prevent an alleged
mutiny at the penitentiary (since with
drawn) and that he had party guard
ing the consulate. The West Indian
regiment and the insular constabulary
were guarding 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
Davis Tells Story
The full report was not at hand un-
til today. although filed Friday by Ad-
miral Evans.
| The report follows
"Whipple arrived from Kingston with
following information from Davis:
Gable communication can only be
had by driving ten miles to buii Bay
Wire communication is down.
Town and suburbs are scene OF
total confusion; great part of town de-
stroyed by first shock. Villas and gov
ernment residence destroyed and King S
house. three miles from city, residence
of the governor, will be blown up walls
so badly damaged that the place can
not be repaired. Trafalgar house COM
plete wreck
Mrs. Marshall wife of general COM
manding forces, was buried under ruins
of house and remained in that precart-
Gus situation more than hour before
rescued. This will give idea of extent
of damage by earthquake alone.
Fire following in closely peopled
portions of city totally destroyed that
section. Steamship wharves are in
tact. Royal Mail saved 20O0 tons of
coal and plenty coal here.
shipping in harbor not disturbed.
Vessels held to their anchorage. No
| tidal wave or marine disturbances.
Earthquake about forty seconds dura-
ton, occurring approximately $3.50 p. m.
Milder shocks subsequently felt during
following twenty-four hours
Governor a Man of Power
"As to the social conditions the gov
ernor. Sir Alexander Swettenham,
seems to be a man of great power,
Judging from conversation and the fact
that he holds the situation we'll in
hand.
He assures me there is no need of
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
escaped.
II have a party on shore now guard
70 archives
Later upon request I landed fifty men
under arms from the Indiana to pre-
vent alleged mutiny at penitentiary,
containing between SEQ and 600 prison
ers then proceeded in carriage with
government official to Kings house.
Governor with family We're living In
tents Accompanied governor 10 the
CITY and shall this afternoon probably
withdraw guard at penitentiary. as he
| assures me he is capable of controlling
the situati He has West India regi-
ment 1000 strong, and two companies oi
artillery. beside insular constabulary
Situation Is Confusing
81 consider it my duty to remain fol
the present at least. Situation too con-
fusing and conflicting, stories, reports
| Complaints and rumOrS too Contradic-
| tory TO enable me at present to form q
clear Judgment Of actual situation
Missouri will coal tomorrow and unit
| I can give a clearer account of the
| situation consider it is opportune that
this ship should remain, AS far as
anything I can do goes, one shipfu
! is capable Of controlling the situation
and noet surgeon remains on boarc
/ Missouri. My presence and surgeon OF
shin are desirable under existing con-
ditions in view of possible emergency
I have been able to afford relief il
many cases to private individuals"