New-York tribune., 1871-06-05
GENERALSsFOREIGN NEWS.
TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA.

TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA.
OVER TWENTY THOUSAND SQUARE MILES OF
COUNTRY DEvAsTATED-TEMPLEs, GOVERN
MENT BUILDINGS AND DWELLINGS DE-
sTRoYED-ovER TWO THOUSAND LIVES LOST.
WASHINGTON, June 4.-Our Minister in
Chins, Gov Love- has forwarded to the Secretary of
State the following translation Of report Of terrible
earthquake from the Chinese Goyernor-Genera of
Ibe province in which it occurred:
sRHy ACCOUNT OF THE EARTHQUAKE AT BArHANG IN
sZCHUES.
Ihave ascertaned that Bahang lies very elevated
spot beyond borders OF the province 2O miles
west from Ii Tang and than 80 post stations from
the district of Tasien, the high road to Thbet
About IL O'Clock a. m. the 11th Of April, 1871 the
earth trembled violently that the Government offices,
temples granares stone and store houses and fortihoa
tons with all the common dwellings and the temple OF
Tngin were at once Overthrown and ruined; the only
exception was the hall in the temple grounds called
Ta-ehaO, which stood unharmed in its isolation. .as
Of the troops and people escaped, but most OF
the inmates were crushed and killed under the falling
timber aud stone Flames also suddenly burst out in
four places which strong winds drove about until the
heavens darkened with smoke, and their roaring
mingled with the lamentations Of the distressed
people On the 10th the flames were beaten down, but
the rumbling noises still heard under ground like
distant thunder and the earth rocked and rolled ike
ship storm at the mercy of the waves The multi
ped miseries of the afflicted inhabitants increased
nv thousand fears but In about 10 days matters began
10 grow quiet and the motion to cease.
The grain collector at Bathang says that for several
DAYS before the earthquake the water had overhOwed
the dyke but after it the earth cracked in many places
and black fetid water spurted ont in furious
N poked earth the squirting instantly followed,
ius az is the case with the sawels and frewells lin
the eastern part the province and this explains how
IL happened that fire followed the earthquake in Bathang
As nearly as ascerained. there destroyed two
large temples the Offices Of the collector OF grain tax the
local magistrate and the colonel, the nngin temple,
and nearly 700 fathOms OF wall around IT, and 351
in all inside: six smaller temples, numbering 22l rooms
beside s39 rooms and houses Of the common people
The number Of people soldiers and lamas killed by the
crash was z9s among whom the local magistrate
aud his second in office.
The earthquake extended from BsthanG eastward to
Pang- -Chahemuh westward 20 Eantun; the south
30 Lin-tsahshih and the north 10 the salt wells OF
A-timsz, circuit of miles IL occurred stimuli
taneously the whole OF this reOn. In places
steep hills split and sunk into deep pits In Others hills
level spots became preciptous cliffs, and the roads
and highways rendered impossible by distractions
The people beggared and scattered like Autumn
leaves and this calamity TO the people of Bathang and
vicinity really OF the most distressing and de-
structiye that has ever happened in this country.
The GovernorGeneral twice memorialized the En-
respecting it, who granted aid to relieve the misery
or repair the Offices and dwellings they were needed
Many resuming occupations and the roads
are everywhere psssable.