The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-04-16
The Devastation at Chic.

A correspondent at Chic telegraphs, under
date of April Z, as follows: 81 have just ar
rived here from Constautinople, and find q
picture of desolatien such as is rarely witness
sed. The town looks as if it had been terri
bly, bombarded. Hundreds of houses are
transformed into & shapeless mass of ruins,
under which lie buried an unknown number
of victims. A majority of the remaining
houses are already cracked and rootiess, and
may fall at any moment. Nearly every build
ing in the town has suffered more or less.
The inhabitants wander about anxious to
search for missing relatives or lost property,
but are afraid to risk their lives in the peril
Gus work of clearing away the rubbish. Many
who are willing to expose themselves to the
danger are prevented by friends or the police.
tear, grief and despair are depicted on nearly
every face. All have some sad or tragic tale
to tell.
The first shock was felt on Sunday after
noon at about 80 o'clock Immediately
houses began to fall. Wild shrieks we're
heard on every side. Then followed an aw-
full silence of some minutes. The terrified
survivors gradually ventured into the narrow
lanes and reached the open spaces. Shortly
atterward another terrific shock completed
the devastation. Then it remained quiet an
I'll sunset, when it again began to shake the
night the shocks succeeded each other at
short intervals, and each one was preceded by
dull sounds like subterranean explosions.
Since that frequent shocks have been felt.
\ few minutes ago, while writing the present
dispatch, distinctly heard an explosion like
sound and felt the earth tremble, but rs ! am
under canvas have nothing TO fear. The
old Genoese fortress, containing about four
hundred houses, inhabited by MusselmanS and
Jews. suffered more than the rest of the town.
The ground there sank about half metre,
and nearly all the houses were Immediately
destroyed aud several hundred persons must
have persisted. 1; is known that about thirty
MasSuIman women were assembled IN one
Of the huaseS, not one Of whom escaped. 4
medical commission Is now sitting TO consider
the expediency OF covering the rubbish in the
fortress with earth, as there Is no hope Of
saving any lives, and the disiuterment of the
dead might produce an epidemic. Il is now
believed that throughout the whole island,
which contained 70,0J0 inhabitants, G. 600 or
1000 were killed and - per cent. Of the sur
viycrs we're wounded. The French, British,
United States and Austrian gun vessels in the
harbor are doing all ia their power TO assist
the authorities In the work OF relief Only
ten OF the inhabitants Of Chesme we're killed,
but many houses were ia ruins, and 81. 600
people are without shelter. The southern
part Of the Island Is said 10 have suffered more
than tins town. Her majesiys gan vessel
Bt,eru arrived here this evening. The cap
tasu ~ once came ashore. and after consulting
with the Governor al the Island, organized
relief parties for teEdiAg the woundsd and
extricating the dead from The ruins. he then
went over 30 Chrsme and made careful in
qairiss regarding the state ct the town and
inhabitants. Tomorrow he intends visiting
the southern part %; the Island, where less
has been done tor the relief Of the sufferers.
| visited Chesme this afternoon. Only
about zen inhabitants we're killed but many
houses are ga rugr. and very many more are
dl.aPlAicd. The mayor assaTed ne that
ihree-tourih uf the houses are ~ a dangerous
condition. be inhabitants are afraid 10
live even ;n those which are auiniarei, for
every night -Irce Sunday fr.qzeu, shocks
have been felt Nearly all prefer To camp
out As the weather l- 6ac the hardship in
tBIs respect IS nos great Is Is said That
throughout che district mot less than $4,000
people are vithoai shelter Ia kaslro the
work oi rS,ficaaug bodies and a;'cndin. the
WosRJed Is progressing satisfactorily, bu, tie
Sitting o45r ,a tac vicinity ~ nsaHy of the
ruins proves that lhe 'nraer operation is far
from complete. Ga the other hSsd, some
wonderful escapes hare olcarsed. Oue NO
ulsn vas barred uHaer The ruins Tor - hoar-
aud a. last aas rssces-i. having giyea birth IN
she meantime 20 cA3li. The child IS dead,
bli iar mother j. d1i1s aeH.
Dispatches on Tuesday state thai earth.
qsakes contnsp a, Calo, Ferry ave villages
on iac island have been destroyed.