The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-18
Special to the REcoRD-US1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-USIoN.
ATHENS, April 17.-Once more the
Island of Zante is scene of desolation
and terror. The island, which is one of
the principal of the Ionian group, was
visited by a most destructive earthquake
this morning. The greater part of the
city of Zante was destroyed. The people
are panic-stricken and the authorities are
helpless. The streets are blocked with
the debris of wrecked houses.
So far twenty bodies have been taken
from the ruins, and it is feared that many
more are still buried. Hundreds of per-
sons have been injured.
Most of the inhabitants have fled to the
plains back of the city, where they wan
der about bemoaning the loss of relatives
by recent earthquakes. Tents were again
set up as shelter for the women and chill
dren.
The city is scene of utter desolation,
and it is doubtful if it ever RECEIVERS from
the series of disasters which have recently
befallen it. There will be great destitu-
ton, and outside help is urgently needed
The shock occurred at 1870 o'clock.
Most of the buildings that stood erect in
the shocks of February and March were
either thrown down or shattered so as to
be unable for occupancy. The Church of
st. Dionysius and the Government offices
were thrown down.
Advices from the interior show that the
whole island is devastated. Many viii
lagos have been destroyed, and it IS
thought that the loss of life is very great
The news of the disaster comes in very
slowly, as communication with the inte-
rior of the island has been greatly inter
rupted by the destruction of many tele-
graph lines. The full extent of the ca
lamity cannot be estimated at present.
Warships will be dispatched from
Pir@us with clothing, provisions and
medicines for the sufferers.
1t is pointed out here that the disaster
is confirmation of the prediction made a
few days ago by Professor Kalb, who pre-
dlcted the former earthquakes, that dis
turbances more serious than the recent
ones would occur April 10th or 18th. His
prediction has proved true, for this morn
ing's shock was the worst that ever Wis
tied Zante, which is noted for earth
quakes.
Since 7:30 o'clock this morning two
more heavy shocks have shaken the
whole island of Zante. The people are
fleeing from all towns to find safety in
the plains and hillsides, all terror
stricken. Thousands are without shelter.
and few have sufficient food
The Island of Zante is situated in the
Mediterranean Sea, about ten miles south
of Cephalonia and fifteen miles from the
nearest point of the coast of Morea. 1t is
twenty-four miles long by twelve miles
wide, and is indented with deep bay at
its southeast extremity. The east coast
has harbor within which is situated the
town of Zante.
The greater part of the interior consists
of an extensive plain, which is extremely
fertile. Gypsum appears in various
parts, but the most remarkable mineral
feature of Zante is its pitch wells, stu
ated about ten miles from the town and
celebrated since the time of Herodotus.
Earthquakes frequently occur on the
island. The population of the island is
A, 557.
Zante, the Capital of the island, is built
chiefly in the Italian style, the houses
being seldom more than one story high.
The principal street is broad and hand
some; the market-pIace is spacious and
serves both for an exchange and a public
promenade. The churches are numerous.
generally substantial and richly decorated
within.
Zante was nearly destroyed byan earth
quake October 80 1871. 1t has popula-
ton of nearly 10000.
TERRIBLE SPECTACLE PRESENTED.
New YORK, April ia Herald Zante
dispatch, timed at 900 P. NJ, April 18th.
says: Another earthquake of terrific
force occurred at 7:O6 this morning. 1t
was far more violent than the first. The
island is now entirely ruined The shock
lasted thirty-five seconds. Since then
the ground has been in continual move
ment. The morning broke with lovely
weather and a cloudless sky. With
out warning the island oscilIated
with intense violence from east
to west for nearly a minute. Clouds
of dust from falling walls of houses and
churches enveloped the city. The air
rang with shrieks of people buried be-
meath the ruins. The streets presented a
terrible spectacle. Entire blocks of
houses were lost. There are assures in
the road over fifty yards in length.
All church belfries and hotels are
either down or lettering to ruins. Not a
dozen houses on the whole island are in
habitable. The killed in town number
fourteen and in the villages sixteen. The
injured number about 200. The victims
are less numerous than might have been
expected, owing to the hour of the shock.
In the villages the destruction is meal
culable. Not one stone is left upon
another. The southeastern point of the
island was nearest the center of the
shock, and there are assures two feet
wide in the direction of the shock, east
and west, precisely where the former
ones originated. There was also a dis
tinct tidal wave. The level ground sank
one foot after the shock.
THE UPRISING IN BELGIUM.
Revolution Against the Chamber of
Deputies In Full Progress.
BRUSSELS, April 1.-THE industrial