New-York tribune., 1917-12-10
Halifax, Short of
Food, Warns All
Visitors AWay
Continued from page !

make temporary repairs 70 damaged
homes the following was needed:
Glass, 100000 lights, or panes, as
sorted sizes; putty, so tons; sashes,
$4,000; doors, 1000; scantling, 100000
feet; boards (matched), 100000 feet;
roofing paper, 5000 squares; wall
board, 100000 square feet; nails. 1000
kegs, 21l to inches.
1t was officially stated tonight that
the arrest and detention on a British
cruiser Of the survivors of the steamer
Imo was not due to the discovery of
evidence of an enemy plot. Inquiry
by government experts has established,
it was said, that the collision was &C
cidental.
There was, however, fault on the part
of the nsvigators, and there were un-
official reports that the Mont Blanc was
taking the wrong side Of the channel.
Justice Drysdale, an expert in sdmi-
ralty law, was tonight designated by
the government to conduct the inquiry.
This will be public and farresehing.
The justice will have the assistance of
nautical assessors.
The construction committee accepted
an offer from Governor Milliken Of
Maine for the shipment by special train
tomorrow Of 100000 panes of glass.
ten tons Of putty and 100000 rolls of
tar paper.
Rain Floods the City
A torrential rain flooded Halifax at
daylight to-day Accompanied by a
ffty-mile gale. il added greatly TO the
sufcrings of thousands OF persons who
had found mono too sure shelter after
the destruction of their homes Thurs
day BY the explosion on the ammunl-
tion-laden steamer Mont Blanc IN the
hsrbor here.
no Americans were killed in the OK.
plosion, according to reports received
by Ethelbert Watts, American Consul
General Theodore Fisher, vice-consul,
was badly cut about the head by flying
glass, hut otherwise was unhurt.
Mr.. Watts has received kilograms
from the State Department asking
about the situation, especially regard
ing the safety of Americans, and while
answers we're promptly filed apparent
~ they never reached Washington.
Department regrets IL is sull with
out information in regard TO condi-
tion. needs and injury to Americans y
Secretary Lansing wired last night.
"Your telegraph report anxiously
awaited"
In reply Mr.. Watts sent this mes
sage to the department to-day.
Consulate and staff safe. No
casualties among American citizens
here excepting Vicc-Consul Fisher
slightly injured. Several thousand
killed and wounded. Relief rapidly
coming in"
Consul Escapes Death
Except for the fact that he was two
minutes later than usual in reaching
the consulate, in Granville Street, the
Consul General would have been killed
or seriously injured. for the plateglass
window behind his desk was shattered.
The consul's chair and desk were piled
high with debris.
IAEllHE iNOutulS dUOdih Ailt AAOlN
Blanc before the ship became an en-
CINE OF destruction were described by
her officers to-day. Captain Lamedoc
persistently has refused to make
statement. 81 shall make my state
ment TO the Admiralty Court" he said.
Admiralty Inquiry TO Open
The inquiry OF the Admiralty Court.
TO which is attached profound interest,
will be opened tomorrow. To-day Cap
tain Lamedoc took the survivors Of his
crew TO the French consulate. Later
the men were taken 20 a shop 20 be pro-
vided with extra clothing.
All those on board the Mont Blanc
escaped from the ship, but three were
subsequently wounded by projectiles.
One, a gunner, died to-day. A wireless
operator struck by a bit OF steel was
dangerously injured and may die. The
injuries of the third man were not seri-
Gus.
Taking up the story at this point, an
officer said:
There were tanks Of benzol and
picrio acid aboard, and we knew that
the jar OF collision causing a spark had
ignited these chemicals, among which
the flames could burn but few mo.
ments before they spread 10 the T y
7. Our small boats were nearly
swamped in our efforts 70 escape. We
feared that the explosion would come
before we could make the short boat
trip 10 the shore. and We pulled for
the shore like desperate men.
"0n the beach we found a multitude
lining the waters edge and watching
the dense mass Of black and yellow
smoke rising from the deck Of the
Abandoned shin A few took Marninc