The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-30
TEE NUsDATIOSs IN SWITZERLAND.

Oi,lcinl Report Of the Recent Terrible Disas-
ter--lmmenso Destruction Of Property
Thousands Of Families Rendered House,
less-Appenl "a the Charitable.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1885,
The following Official account OF the national ca
la,ity In Switzerland has Just been received at tho
Department OF State:--
LEGATION or THE UNITED STATES,
BERNIE, Oct. TO- 1865.
SIH:--Swltzerland has recently been subjected to
what may justly be termed national calamity.
country has been visited by . heretofore une-
quaIled rain fall, and much OF the cantons of 0rG
have, in consequence thereof. been literally desc,
lated by inundations. The mountain rivuets amd
Lagos hainets cattle roads, bridges, dKes earth ana
stone debris upon the fields below, which NuN
rendered forever hopeless wastes.
The appeal oil the authorities II the canton OF res.
sin 10 their more fortunate fellow countrymen Ofi-
ciay forth the cnects OIL the storm, and this
scrption may be taken rs applicable IN greater
less extent 10 the other cantOns named.
In the night OF the 18th and 18th OF september our
Volume OF water precipltated itself as dcige nns
the valleys OF Blenio, OF the Levantne, the Rvevas
the Vcrnasco and the hagga. This scourgc raS
accompanied by the destruction OF buildings ana by
the fail or trees by earth and rock slides Ia such
manner Is Ii all the elements had combined TO rival
each other in the work OF devastation. Ali the beau
THU country that extends from Giornies and Oiivone
10 Blasca, unrecogniz able to-day, IS nothing tut u
mass 81 debris. Roads, bridges and diacs are
destroyed houses mills and stables have been
swept away tho rich fores.s the fertile ields and
vineyards, but yesterday nourshing. have disap
peartd cattle have perlshed by thousands, aud nak
which adds 10 the CONSERVATION Is the loss or more
than nifty personssomc surprised IN their sleep and
others the vctias OF their devotion while attempting
TO rescue and assist the drownng fathers anu
mothers OF families have been crushed under the
falling houses and their bodies swept on by the rush
the disaster SURPRISES nil that imagination can
picture Thousands vi families nave been struck b.
The aInity, and TOO many OF them have been re
duccd 10 inc last extremity, without roo, without
clothes, without bread and several deprNed Of their
fathers. 1he. losses which Tor the moment cannot
90 stated. viii rise 10 millions.
Tre authorities, the societies and the citizens Of
this canton, reserved by Heaven for 80 cruel an ex
the Immediate wants OF the yic.lms; put AL our
forces VIII not provide for THIS immense burden TO
You we address the appeal. which, Ia TINS supreme
necessity. Ia an uterance OF the heart rather than
tho thoughts We ask OF your brothers will, conf
dcrcc not abandon us TO these blows or destiny.
and that they share with tue cross or adversely
All spcgies Of VIII be accepted by us Win
ana the canton authorities wiz take
care that the most suffering shal be the hrst 70 re-
ccve the benefits or your charities.
desolate OF Lne valley OF the tessin aunress tssr
''ps''' - LuGAso Oct. ], 1858.
Subsclucni information proves that this rad pic-
tura il not oyerwrought. The governments, both
federal and local, as also the people, are Tor
promptly and GENERALLY responding 10 the appeals
Of which IRIS is Dut one. Tie President OF tue
federation at the Instance OF the Federal Council.
at once repaired to the scene OF tue disaster ihc
military engineers were Immediately despatched "
oupcrntend and direct the RESTORATION and reouiih
Ing OF the highways aud bridges and dikes IN order
| TO restore communications altogether suspended.
Citizen committees been org inized III the rc-
manning cantons for the purpose OF visiting each
house Tor assistance and every possible means ~
I Iut In rcqusitIon To relieve the suifcrcrs
| AMI repair the otherwise heavy public damages.
1 Tie disaster however has been SO extended, ana
the number or people left mt the threshold OF VIII
ter without shelter clothes and bread, has pecn too
large De more tnan scaptiiy ana pa.usy sepaiea
| ard relieved by the local contributions however
generous they may be-. -.
am not aware that appcnls Win &c maoe 70 Tue
AVIS. nr otner residents abroad. Should such be
csscd to resident SWISS OF The United states
beg 10 state thus briefly but officially nat no human
ioresht rund have cyadcd this blow and that THIS
crv b! strrss appeals with equal force To the benevo
eit Of our counlrymen OF whatever origin nation
With great respect, your obeiient servant
GEORGE HARRINGTON.
Hon. WILLIAM . SgwAED, secretary OF state, wcsl-
iugtou, ID. 4.