Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-23
REFUGEES INDIGNANT.

ugeeS from Kingston, Jamaica, arriy-
ing here today on board the steamer
PrinZ Eitel Friedrich, which sailed
from the stricken city on Thursday af-
ternoon last, the third day after the
earthquake, We're unanimous in con-
demning what they termed the in
activity and utter inefficiency' of the
English authorities on the island dur
ing the first days following the dis
aster. For three days. or up to the day
the Prinz Eitel sailed there was no
semblance of order and nothing definite
done in the matter of relieving the suf-
fering of many of the wounded.
1t was assorted that men and wo-
men who sought shelter on board the
British steamship Port Kingston.
which was chartered for Sir Alfred
Jones' party from England. were put
ashore and that the plea of the Ameri-
can refugees that the women of their
party be allowed at least the privilege
OF sleeping on the open decks of the
Port Kingston, was refused with
great inciviliIy." The wounded who
had been taken on board the same
steamer FOR an asylum, were put
ashore the day following the earth
quake, Tuesday, and were left on the
railway wharf until cared for by the
American naval authorities on Thurs
day.
The Prinz Eiters passengers told Of
the great relief the arrival of the Am
eriCan squadron brought to the terror
stricken people and were amazed to
hear of the rupture between Gov
Swettenham and Admiral Davis.
The protest of the American refugees
against the conduct and behavior Of
of certain official on tn" island, was
voiced at mass meeting held on
board the Prinz Eitel Friedrich Mon
day, when resolutions We're adopted
and addressed :" TO the General Public
and the International Press The res
olutions follow:
1--WE company of American refu-
gees of Kingston, jamaica, Jan. 18th.
1907. on board the steamship Prinz
Eitcl Friedrich. herewith utter en-
phatic condemnation of the conduct
and behavior in that period Of certain
officials Of rank, specifically. Capt.
Parsons declined to furnish food for
one meal to the small number of Ger
mans led by Capt. Richard Nahsel,
Hamburg American Line, who pre-
vented four docks from burning on the
niAht OF the 18th. among them the Port
Kingstons own wharf.
"Sccond-That such American and
other refugees as the small boats man
ned by cant. TahsCl and others. gath
cred and lodged on Monday on board
the Port Kingston. were summarily or
dared ashore at i. NJ. Tuesday TO
make room for English refugees.
though women and children tearfully
pIeadci that they had neither food nor
clothing on shore.
.Third-That the wounded Of mixed
r,tlnnalitics were taken ashore NJ the
same hour and left IN a crude situation
on tho railway wharf until cared for by
American naval authorities on Thursday.
cycept such as were removed 10y train
to Spanish Town or by relatives who
found them.
..t,,urth-Tllat when Father O'Danovan
or Rostou. Gavin L. Paine of 1n'iianap-
dis and the Rev. II. +. AUD OF Ia--
boro. Pa. took a petition TO Sir Alfred
Jones and Capt Parsons from the ref
upeer sleeping on trunks, sacks or COT
fce and the cargo-fouled planks Of the
IIarb,r.e- American docks. to allow the
said refugees to so on board the Port
Kingston, then at her dock. and sleep
on her bare. clean decks where they
would be safe from recurrent earthquake
shocks. Capt. Parsons refused with great
inciyilitv. and coming to the Hamburg
American dock showed the party further
discourtesy-
"rifth-That in the three days. though
Sic Alfred Jones and his party on board
the Fort Kingston had all the comfore
OF o large, well-equipred ship, no tender
was made either of food. water, coffee,
bedding or medical supplies.
"sixtf-That in three days. save for
tie above unpleasant visit CT Capt Par
sons. no official visit was paid either by
the police. military or colonial authori-
ties to the large body of American ref
ugees on the Hamburg American docks,
the known center for American refugees
in any way even to ascertain the con-
d!tion in which they wera.
..Seventh-Tkat in individual cases aiid
Continued on Page Two)