Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-17
PARTY is SAFE.
Nerbers of JONES Party Reported to
Have Escaped Harm.

London. Jan 16-The dispatches re-
ceiNcl here tonight. including some
from Kingston direct, declaring that
lvCG persons had been killed in the
earthquake Of Monday. leave the coun-
try n prey to renewed suspense as TO
the fall of the capital of the island of
jamaica.
Earlier reports, including government
dispatche had tended 10 minimize the
worst features of the messages receiv-
, ed, ana although there is an inclination
to credit these official accounts in the
absence of confirmation of the later re-
ports. the relief felt this afternoon
tends to give place to dependency at
the possibility that the worst fears will
be realized when the full accounts Of
the disaster come TO hand.
Two features stand out Of the general
gloom and bring intense satisfaction to
the British public. In the first place is
the fact. confirmed tonight in a dis
patch from Sir Alfred Jones himself.
that the Jones party are all safe and
requesting that all friends be so adj
vised. They praise the prompt and act
i've steps taken by the American gov
eminent to investigate the real cOndi-
lions and afford the necessary SuccOr To
the unfortunate citizens. Especial APP
probation is felt at Sec. Metcalf's deci-
sion to act without waiting for Con-
gressional sanction. All possible steps
are being taken here to the same end,
but this generous action is none the less
appreciated.
The King and the Queen and the
premier. have FASTENED to telegraph cX-
pressions Of the country's sympathy
and horror at the terrible calamity, ana
public bodies are arranging to hold
meetings to express their sympathy
and afford relief to the victims.
Up II q late hour tonight the colonial
office had 10 further news to commune
cate. and the public found satisfaction in
the Lelief that the casualties among the
English resid snts of the island had been
few. At the very moment of writing this
dispatch, however. there has been re-
ceived a message from Sir Alfred Jones
which confirms the worst fears. This
message is addressed to Elder Dempster
& Co. and is rs follows:
livingston was overwhelmed by an
carthquakc Monday at 80. All tho
houses within radius of 10 miles have
been damaged. and almost every house in
the city is destroyed. Fire broke out
after the earthquake and competed the
work of destruction. 1t is estimated that
1G0 persons have been killed ana 1000 in
iured. The public offices are in ruins.
Among the killed are many prominent
merchants ard professional men and Z
great many natives. There Were no ia
talitics at the Constant Springs hotcl.
"The business quarter of Kingston is
now hear os smouldering ashes.
eve are thankful that our parry is all
right
THIS dispatch from Sir Alfred g prac-
tically identical with other messages re- |
ccivrd from Kingston. including ons from
Il correspondent of TIE Standard. who is |
with the Jones party. with the exception
that all the others give the death list as |
several hundred, while u dispatch Of i |
similar purport received by the Dirccr |
West Indian Cable 90. says that the los |
of life was heavy and adds that Port
Antonio was not badly injured AT tho
present time, therefore. it is impossible |
t. form a reliable estimate of the num-
her Of lives lost.
Among the prominent visitors now Il
Jamaica or Just about 20 arrive there
are Sir Frederick Trcvos sergeant sur
geon to King Edward. and Lady 'rreves, |
Arthur Chamberlain. Miss Mary Cham !
bcrlan and Justice Smith.