Connecticut western news., 1907-01-24
Fire Completes Work of De-
 stfuetion In Kingston. 
CITY NOW MASS OF RUINS
Number of Victims May Reach
 Many Hundreds.
GOVERNOR DECLINES AMERICAN AID.

GOVERNOR DECLINES AMERICAN AID, CoIony's Ruler Objected to Bluejac<eta
 PatroIiins Streets of Stricken City
 and Also to Fleet Surgeons Attend
 ancs on Wounded - Declared Local
 Resources Sufficient to Take Care oi
 Property and of Injured Persons
 Residents DspIore Govsrnor's Action
 and Suggest Petition to Home Office Z Asking Fer His Resignation-Tota
 Known Dead 450 and at Least 25o
 Unaoeounted For Food and Tents
 Greatly Needed.
 London, Jan. 23.-Charred ruins are about all that remain of the city of Kingston, capital of the island of Ja- maica, devastated by an earthquake shock that was felt about 3:SO D. m. Jan. IA.
 What was left by the earthquake was destroyed by the fires that broke cut intermittently later, and as 1t was Impossible to attempt to fight the flames practically every house in the city was destroyed. Hundreds of lives have been lost.
 The greatest portion of Kingston Is still smoldering ashes, and the smell of burned flesh pervades the air.
 The earthquake came as sudden oscillation, not from any particular d. rection, but up and down.
 Thousands of persons were on the streets of Kingston at the time, and great numbers of them were crushed.
 American Warships Render Aid.
 By order of Rear Admiral Evans, in command at Guantanamo, Cuba, Rear Admiral Davis came to Kingston with the battleships Missouri and Indiana and the gunboat Yankton to render as- sistance.
 Admiral Davis mission of mercy to stricken Kingston has come to an ab- rupt and painful conclusion in conse- quence of Governor Swettenham's ob- lection to the presence of American sailors engaged in the work of clearing the streets, guarding property and sue coring the wounded and sick on the ground that they were not needed. Governor Swettenham's objection cul- minated in letter to the admiral per smptoriIy requesting him to re-embark au parties which had been landed. The letter was couched in sarcastic and in- sulting terms.
 Admiral Davis was greatly shocked and pained and paid formal visit to Governor Swettenham, informing him that the United States battleships Mis- souri and Indiana and the gunboat Yankton would sail from Kingston at once They then left for Guantanamo, Cuba.
 Admiral Davis when interviewed later said that immediate compliance with Governor Swettenham's request was the only course consistent with the dignity of the United States.
 Governor Swettenham when asked about the Davis incident said he had not invited Rear Admiral Davis to land sailors. Asked if he indorsed the action taken by Rear Admiral Davis, the gov ernor replied, "That is a matter be- tween myself and Rear Admiral Davis, to whom I must refer you" The gov ernor said his reference in his letter to Rear Admiral Davis to tramp pill laging the house of New York mil honaire was merely a jocular parallel.
 Friction Began Early.
 The friction between che governor and the admiral began with the arrival of the American war vessels, when the governor objected to the firing of 8 salute in his honor on the ground that the citizens might mistake the firing for a new earthquake. He also declar- ed there was no necessity for American aid, that his government was fully able to preserve order, tend the wound ed and succor the homeless.
 Rear Admiral Davis, however, landed parties of bluejackets, who patrolled the streets, cleared the debris, razed ruins, attended many of the wounded and won the highest praise from citi- Eens and military officers for excellent work.
 The London officials, in thanking Washington for American aid, say that no official advices have been received from Swefsenham regarding the Davis incident They are awaiting word from him.
 After conferences of officials of the foreign and colonial offices the colonial office cabled to Governor Swettenham asking him for his version of the incl dent.
 Governor Swettenham has cabled asking the British government to con vey to the government of the United States the thanks of the nation for the American assistance rendered by Rear Admiral Davis, and Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey in forwarding this message to Washington with the thanks of the imperial government well e1 presses the feeling of the government