The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-12-21
ORDER ARREST OF
SHIPS CAPTAIN
Inquiry 20 Fix Blame for Ex-
pI0Sion on Munitions Yes
sci In Halifax Harbor.
NO AMERICANS WERE KILLED
Several Thousand Killed ant Wound
ed-Relief Rapidly Coming In,
10 Report Of u. S. Consul
Vice Consul Hurt.

-
Halifax. Nova Scotia, Dec. 10
Acting Chief OF Police Ranrahan has
announced that officers have been
sent out to arrest and hold for nd.
miraity hearing. Capt. LameGoo OF
the nunition ship Mont Blanc and
Piict Mackny, who was bringing the
vessel in when il was rammed by the
relief ship limo.
The limo survivors were removed
to n British cruiser in the harbor and
held for the admiralty investigation
OF the government, which began to-
day. The number in custody was not
made known.
No Americans we're killed in the
explosion, according to reports re
ceived by Ethelbert Watts, American
consul general. Theodore Fisher, vice
consul, was cut badly about the head
by flying glass, but otherwise was IN
hurt.
Mr.. Watts has received a number
OF kilograms from the state depart
ment asking about the situation. es-
pecially regarding the safety of
Americans, and while answers were
promptly fled, apparently they never
reached washington.
Department regrets it is still with
out information in regard conditions,
needs and injury to Americans Sec
rotary Lansing wired. Your tele-
graph report ~anxiously awaited
In reply, Mr.. Watts sent this mes
sag to the state department:
Consulate and staff safe. No cas-.
ualties among American citizens here,
excepting Vice Consul Fisher slightly
injured. Several thousand killed and
wounded. Relief rapidly coming in"
A torrential rain flooded Halifax at
daylight. Accompanied by a fifty
mile gale, it added greatly to the suf-
ferings of thousands OF persons who
had found none too sure shelter after
the destruction of their homes.
Systematic search for the lead in
a two and a half square mile area, in
which the entire available population
was expected to take part, was held
up. Throughout the devastated zone
the rain turned three feet of snow
into slush knee deep at points, but
Notwithstanding these conditions, men
and women went early to the scene
to continue their own hunt for mem.
bers Of their families lost in the dis
aster. Toward noon the wind shifted
slightly and the skies were brighter,
but not clear. The temperature has
dropped sharply.
No additional estimates were forth
coming as to the number of dead. The
officials do not agree. Wagons car
ried to the mOrgues a cor Of bodies
found in unexpected places and it
was said many of the injured had
died during the night.
Sunday services were suspended in
the churches. BY orders of the may
or, Sunday was not observed as a
holiday and the stores which supply
food, fuel and clothing remained open.
Workrnen wandered about the streets,
but traffic conditions were de%plorable
and show progress was made toward
restoring normal conditions.
After reports from committees
which are ~endeavoring to handle a
situation almost beyond them, the
mayor issued this proclamation:
"On account of the serious lack of
accommodations and scarcity of food
supplies, all non-residents at present
in the city not on relief work, or bust
ness of extreme emergency, are re-
quested kindly to cooperate with the
relief committee by leaving the city
ar Snnn &c nOSSihlp"