THE EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA. (Hansard, 10 April 1905)

§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Marquess of BATH)

My Lords, the names of those who, up to this morning, are reported by the Government of India to have been killed or 964 injured have been communicated to the Press; but it is feared that the list is still incomplete. The Secretary of State has received the following particulars from the Government of India in a telegram dated 9th inst.— From Viceroy, April 9th, 1905.—In Lahore, twenty-five natives killed and considerable damage done to private and public property; in Amritsar, Golden Temple damaged and some lives lost; at Tarn Taran, nine killed and seven severely injured. At Dalhousie, damage to property, but no deaths. Palampur, in Kangra district, reported totally destroyed, and many hundred lives lost. Very serious damage also reported in Kangra and Jowala, Mukhi and other villages in Kangra Valley. Every building, without exception, in Kangra and Bhawan in ruins, including Sessions House and Mission buildings. The Kangra treasury has collapsed and treasure boxes lying under débris. Of police, only Deputy-Inspector of Police, one sergeant, and one constable uninjured, and three other constables alive, but injured. Of Tahsil Establishment only office kanungo and two chaprassies, of whom one is uninjured, are alive. Total number estimated to be alive is 500. Many people still alive are imprisoned in ruined houses. Similar state of affairs in most other villages in the neighbourhood. At Dharmsala, all houses and buildings throughout the entire station, including cantonment and bazaars, have been totally destroyed, with enormous loss of life. The mortality among natives is not yet known, but the following casualties among native troops have been reported— Killed, 140(including women, children, and followers); injured, 186; missing, 71. Relief party, with doctors, medicine, food, and tents, sent from Lahore on April 5th. A double company of 34th Pioneers also left Mian Mir on April 7th to render assistance at Dharmsala, Palampur, Kangra and other places in Kangra Valley. Two more companies are being sent and two or three Pioneer companies are being sent from Umballa. Military authorities have been asked to hold other forces in readiness to send if necessary. An Assistant District Superintendent of Police with 200 constables are being sent to protect property and to take place of constables killed. No further information at present. This morning the Viceroy telegraphs as follows— Latest information from Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab does not add to details already wired. It is clear that towns of Dharmsala, Kangra, and Palampur are virtually destroyed, that loss of life has been very great, and that full measure of catastrophe, owing to difficulty of communication, cannot be ascertained for some time. I have only desisted from proceeding at once to scene of disaster at urgent request of Lieutenant-Governor, who will go there himself. 965 In reply to an inquiry from the Secretary of State as to the desirability of opening a relief fund, the Viceroy adds— I am starting Indian subscription list for sufferers whose losses it will be impossible to meet from other sources, and in a day or two, when fuller information has reached me, I hope to be able to tell you whether we should also appeal to wider circle. I think that this may be necessary. Commissioner further reports that at Dharmsala, owing to splendid work of Ghurkhas and others, nearly all bodies have already been exhumed. Special party been despatched to visit all tea estates round Palampur, and similar parties in other directions. Police report from Kulu shows some loss of life there, but no European casualties reported. In Kangra nearly all Government native clerks have perished. I am certain there can be only one feeling in your Lordships' House with regard to the terrible calamity which has overtaken India.