The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-16

der Sweetenham. assisted by Sir Alfred
Jones, Is directing affairs.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON is SAFE.
Boston. Jan. 16.-The officials OF the
United Fruit company received cable
gram from the companys representative
at Port Antonio last night stating the
earthquake occurred at Kingston on Mon
day and that part OF the city was on fire.
No mention was made OF any loss OF life.
The cablegram was sent from the cable
station at Holland bay, which is located In
tho sWampy section OF the island, some
miles from Port Antonio. From the tone
of the cabegram the officials OF the COM
pany in this city say they are OF the Opin-
ion that the reports OF the calamity have
been exaggerated.
The cablegram also stated that the COM
pany's steamer Admiral Sampson arrived
safely at Port Antonio on Monday from
Boston.
The cablegram added that the samp-
sons passengers were safe The steamer
sailed from here last Wednesday with
about 35 cabin passengers. Nearly all Wis
itors 10 the island landing at Port An
tonic spent a day or two there before
crossing the island To Kingston.
Among those on the steamer were John
Berry, second vice president OF the Boston
and Maine railroad, and Mrs. Berry;
Mrs. Eliza Birdwell and Mrs. Maud c.
w. Emerson OF South Bend. Ind; Eugene
Smith and NJ. NJ. Morse of Hartford,
Conn: Mr. and Mrs. l.. G. Fuller Will
liam Hay and a. w. Elliott OF New York.
Allen Ainslee OF the firm OF Ainslee &
Grabow, proprietors OF the TItchfield hotel
at Port Antonio, received a cabegram
last night from his partner, Edward r.
Grabow, al Port Antonio stating that
Kingston was shaken by an earthquake
Monday afternoon and that a fire was
raging there.
The cablegram added that the earth
quake did no damage on the north side
OF the island, where the Titchheld hotel is
situated
SAYS FAULT" CAUSED SHOCK.
New York. Jan. 16.--Prof. J. F. Kemp,
head OF the department OF geology at
Columbia university, last night discussing
the disaster at Kingston. ia, said:
"The earthquake was no doubt due 10
what Is known in geology as a fault
as was the case at San Francisco. There
is great crack or assure formed. one
side OF which slips from the other either
in downward or a sideward direction.
At San Francisco there was slide TO
one side. The coast OF Cuba from San
tiago eastward is very abrupt and precip-
itous and gives an area Of decided
fault
Probably the tidal wave which usually
accompanies an earthquake shock has
been the cause OF the damage This is
more destructive Go cities on the coast
line than the shock itself 1t is pro-
duced by sudden shaking beneath the
sea, which starts great rolling upon
the land. I don't know of any recent
shocks that we would be justified In
connecting with this one. The Samoan
Islands arc too far away and II Is not
likely that the recent disturbance there
is Identified with that al Kingston.
1--WE do not feel any anxiety in New
York on account OF earthquakes because
We have never had any important shocks
and we seem 10 be pretty solid. We are
not In a region OF earthquake shocks
along this coast and do not anticipate
them. They are vastly more prevalent
in the Pacific coast. Earthquakes are
occurring somewhere almost ali the time.
We would not have attached so much
Importance TO the one recently i'm San
Francisco had it not been for the confla-
grafton"
CITY ALMOST DESTROYED.
Halifax y. s, Jan. l6.-A dispatch an
nouncing the destruction OF part. OF
Kingston. ia, by earthquake has caused
4rtense excitement here as scores OF
Halifax people reside in the stricken city
The bank OF Nova Scotia has a branch
in Kingston and nearly all OF the stan
of 10 employees are former residents of this
city.
Much local capital is also invested
In industries OF Kingston. and a large
business is done through this port with
that city, lines OF steamers running from
here direct
The Halifax and Bermuda Gable com
pany. whose head office is In Halifax. has
not had a word over its cables since
Monday from Kingston. and IT is Inn
possible 10 say when communication will
be restored
ID. Bulge, the manager Of the Halifax
and Bermuda Cable company, received a
cable message last night from William
Sullivan, the manager of the Bermuda
Gable company at Kingston. The cable is
dated Holland bay, and reads:
Nearly whole OF city destroyed by
earthquake and fire: staff all rafe with
the exception Of one member. who is
seriously injured"