The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-18

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The news from
Hanava regarding the huge tidal wave
that inundated the entire south OF Ja-
maicas capital and changed the jamaican
coast line, was communicated to the gov
ernment officials early today. The Asso-
oiated Press advices anticipated any Off
cial reports and at 3 a. m. Il was stated
hat no official word on the subject had
reached any branch OF the government.
Secretary OF the Navy Metcalf was one
OF the first OF those advised OF the press
dispatches regarding the disaster.
Arrangements had already been made
by which the secretary should receive the
first official reports expected from Rear
Admiral Evans at Guantanamo. Secre-
tary Metcalf remained up until a late hour
during the night in the hope of receiving
some official report on the subject and
evinced great interest In the official adj
vices regarding the calamity.
He told newspaper men that he wished
TO be in readiness to act promptly on any
official reports or dispatches coming TO
the department. The wireless stations,
not only the one at the navy yard in this
city. but also at other points on the coast
were on the outlook for messages. When
the wireless station here closed for the
night at IL o'clock, however. no evidence
of any message TO Washington had been
heard by the operator
The news Of the tidal wave following
closely the reports OF earthquake and
FIRE. caused the most profound interest in
official circles.
Officials OF the government have been
inquiring into the minute details OF the
topography of the stricken city and the
adjacent coast.
COAST SINKING.
Dotted with sugar estates and country
residences the plan on which Kingston
rests rises gradually from the shore to
the foot of the Liguanea mountains. The
coast now reported TO be gradually sink
Ing into the sea presents some OF the oul-
lines OF a turtle. the mountain ridges
representing a turtles back. From the
sea level on all sides ridges I'm series !
rise toward the central range Of noun
tains.
"A wireless message from Rear~AImral |
Evans received at the Washington navy
yard early today states that the United |
States steamer Yantic arrived at Kings |
ton at midnights last night with further |
medical supplies and the Associated Press |
reporters on board.
FOUR HUNDRED KILLED
Calmanera, Cuba, Jan. IL. p. M
RearAdmiral Davis, who wen to Kings |
ton, Ja with the American ships, sent a
wireless report TO Rear-Admiral Evans at !
Guantanamo this morning. His despatch |
follows:
Missouri and Indiana anchored at
Kingston at $50 this morning. Kingston !
almost totally destroyed. Four hundred |
killed, about 800 in hospital City now
quiet. There were plenty of doctors, but I
short dressings. Have supplied all could
spare"
The American torpedo boat Whipple
sailed from Kingston this morning and
Is due at Guantanamo at 10 o'clock to-
night with full details OF the situation at
Kingston.
Rear-Admiral Evans first heard OF tho
disaster on Tuesday night by means OF
an intercepted wireless despatch, and pre-
pared to send ships to the scene
Wednesday morning he received n
cable dispatch from Gov. Magoon ask
Ing him TO send medical supplies The
Whipple started instantly at a speed
of 25 knots. carrying all the surgical
supplies the fleet could spare. The
battleships Missouri and Indiana fol-
lowed and both are now I'm Kingston
harbor, but are unable to communicate
by wireless with Admiral Evans, owing
10 an intervening mountain. Com
municatlon, however is maintained
through the steamer Colon, which is
lying OFF the port.
Rear Admiral Evans sent the bat
tleships because he knew no English
troops were in Kingston and he feared
looting by the negroes there.
WIRELESS REPORTS.
Norfolk, Va, Jan. lS-The wireless
telegraph station at Cape Henry has
received an official message from Rear
Admiral Evans, commanding the North
Atlantic fleet I'm West Indian waters
presumably referring TO the Kingston
disaster, and a message from Wash
ington to Admiral Evans has been
communicated to him on the flagship
Maine via the coast wireless stations,
but the wireless people decline TO give
out anything concerning either mes
rage. declaring that both were official
and that the nature OF the messages
cannot be divulged.
The message from Admiral Evans
came during the night and was for
warded to Washington.
The Cape Henry wireless station re-
ceived the following message after last
midnight bearing on the Kingston dis
sster, the message having come from
Guantanamo. Cuba.
ssRava o..erhaard bx, vvirotosg fror, ,ho | /.