The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-07

tails later. Elsworth's name was not
mentioned but it was assumed he was
safe and both were assisting in the
relief They had been sent to Halifax
to establish rest canteens for soldiers.
is Doctors, 80 Nurses on Train.
Boston, Dec. IA special train
carrying a Red Cross unit consisting
of Ii physicians and thirty nurses and
a quantity of medical and other sup
plies, will start for Halifax this after
noon in charge of S. Huntington Vol
colt Arrangements for the dispatch
of the relief train were made by
James Jackson, manager of the local
division of the Red Cross after
conference by telephone with officials
of the organization at Washington.
today was speeding on its way to the
stricken city of Halifax.
Among the party are Red Cross
workers, number of medical men
and civilians.
The special, carrying a party of 81.
was dispatched late last night after
Governor Mccall sent offer of any
possible aid to the devasted city.
Wires Still in Bad Way.
New York, Dec 7.-Telegraphic
service to Nova Scotia still is badly
crippled today.
The Western Union Telegraph COM
pany announced that service for
points in that province, for points
lay, due to wire interruption"
Saw Dead U. S. Sailors.
Truro. Dec IA telegraph opera
tor sent here from Halifax by the
Western Union Telegraph company
said today that he saw the bodies of
several sailors of the United States
navy who had been killed by the
explosion yesterday.
Washington, Dec. 7.-Reports to the
navy indicate there was no American
ship in the harbor of Halifax at the
time of the explosion and officials are
inclined to think If American sailors
had been caught in the blast it would
have been reported in the early dis
patches from naval commander who
went in to help after hearing the de-
tonation fifty-two miles at sea-
The American consulate at Halifax
is within two and a half blocks of
the water front and close to the Gus
tom house.
\ Efforts were made all night to get
in touch with Halifax by a state de-
partmentu cable. but the best that
could be done was to order Freeman
to go there.
The departments anxiety was
heightened by the fact that Watts is
always prompt to report such mat
ters. He is the father of Constructor
Watts of the navy and was American
consul in Brussels at the outbreak of
the war.
No American Ship Involved.
That no American ships were in
| volved in the Halifax disaster ap-
peared more likely this forenoon from
the fact that no mention of any was
included in the navy departments
reports.
| Terrible Suspense for Relatives.
| Boston, Dec. ITO the thousands
of Nova Scotians and their relatives
living in this city and its suburbs
! 1fax brought many anxious hours.
Telegraph companies were swamped
with messages of inquiry as to the
fate of many Halifax families. AT
least one Boston steamship is believed
to have been in the harbor at Halffaz
| at the time of the explosion.
| Eears for U. s. Consul.
Washington. Dec. Fears for the
safety of American Consul General
Ethelbert Watts of Halifax a Phila-
| delphian, were voiced at the state de-
partment today. Consul Freeman OF
Sydney, N. s., left early today to in
vestigate the fate of Americans in
the vicinity of the explosion.
Big Dutch Liner Safe.
New York, Dec. 7.-Word that the
passengers and crew of the Holland
| American line steamer NieuW Ans
terdam are safe in Halifax. was re-
ceived at the local offices of the line
today.
1t was known the Nieuw Amsterdam
| had arrived in Halifax some days
ago and in absence of word of her
| clearing that port, officials of the
line had feared for the safety of the
$50 members of the ships crew and
| her 800 passengers. The ship also
| carried a cargo of ten thousand tons
| of grain for the relief of Belgians.
Fewer than ten of the passengers
are Americans, according to officials
| of steamship company. Nearly all
| who took passage on the vessel are
| residents of Holland returning home
after stays in the United States or ir
Dutch colonial possessions. The NieuW
Amsterdam was the first Dutch shiI
released from an American port since
| an embargo against the sailing OF
Dutch vessels was declared by the
federal government several month:
ago.