Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-01-24
EARTHQUAKE
AT KINGSTON.
CAPITAL OF JAMAICA HARD HIT
eY a CONFUSION.

Buildings Go Down in Hesps. Carry
ing Death to Over 7oo.--Flames
Continue the Destruetion.--R ReIief.
Hurried in by Uncle Sam. Waved
Back by Churllsh British Governor.
--Oeep Resentmen, Felt at His
Conduet.--Grest Britain Tenders
Thanks.
Further news proves that the earthquake
at the island OF Jamaica last week was one
Of the most terrible aud destructive ca
lamltles that have ever visited that see
tion. kingston, the capital city, on the
southern coast, was partially destroyed by
the quake and the fires that Immediately
followed. The loss OF life was heavier
than in the san Francisco disaster. About
800 bodies have been recovered, aud from
40 to 1000 are supposed TO have perished.
The loss 10 property ran into the millions.
The shocks Monday OF last week lasted
only few seconds, but were extremely
violent. At Kingston, the city see med 10
be l. sslng like boat IN the trough Of the
waves. Buildings, large and small, came
tumbllng down. so unwarned came the
eonynlsion that the inhabitants had no
time to escape outside, aud even those in
the street could barely dodge the falling
walls. Fires sprang up at once, and the
water system being destroyed anu all be-
ing pane and confusion, ran their course
almost unchecked. Fortunately, the wind
was iiom a direction that kept the flames
back toward the harbor, and only a small
part OF the city was burnt.
The people fled to the parks and open
spaces, and morgues and hospitals were
improvised for the dead ana injured.
Many acts OF heroism were mixed with
some acts Of looting and vandalism. The
authorities for time had little control OF
the situation. There was a want OF sur
geons, medical supplies and even food, but
the fine weather favored the sufferers.
The breaking Of the cables cut Kingston
of from communication for several days,
but when news OF the calamity came
finally the United States took the lead In
carrying succor. War vessels under com
mand OF Rear Admiral Davis carried large
quantities OF food and supplies from the
naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba. sur
geons aud marines were landed and every
assistance gwen the needy and suffering
Congress authorized sufficient outlay foi
the task Hardly had the relief work be-
gun than Governor Swettenham, the
British colonial officer in charge at ia
maica, addressed a curt note to Admiral
the United States was not needed or de-
sired, as the local authorities had the stu
alton in hand, and requesting the immeci-
ate withdrawal OF the American armed
guards. Davis OF course complied, though
the mayor of Kingston and the people
begged him to stay. The incident has
created much i'll feeling against Swetten-
ham in this country. The British govern
ment has thanked the United States fol
its prompt action, and officially all u
calm. but Swettenham will probably Il
recalled for his churlishness, which !:
ascribed to his dislike of Americans, ano
his resentment at anything that looked
like interference with British control al
Jamaica.
The earth disturbance did not amount
to much outside of Kingston, but the chan
nels in the harbor were changed, the light
houses disappeared and navigation there
is attended by such danger that sevtrs
steamers have been beached. As far al
can be learned, no Americans were killed
but many Englishmen perished, including
Sir James Ferguson, member OF parlla'
ment. England is raising relief fund FOL
the stricken.