The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-22
Houses Are All Unsafe.

Santiago, Chill, Monday, August 2O--6
p. m.-Only now can the seriousness of
the catastrophe begin to be appreciated.
The greater part OF the modern houses
here are unsafe for habitation and the
authorities have organized special corps
to pull down the totterng buildings. In
most Of the streets 1t is not safe to walk
on the pavement, owing 20 falling debris
Santiago resumbles camp. The public
squares and the principal avenues are
crowded with people sleeping In the open.
All kinds of carriages and carts have been
reculsitioned to sleep in, or even under
them.
The night of August 16 was rendered
dreadful by flashing lightning and pouring
rain, the electric cables and wires snap
ping a result of the constant, strong
earth shocks, were heard all that night.
causing the greatest consternation which
was heightened by the pealing of the fire
bells announcing the breaking out of fires
In various quarters of the city. Each
earth shock was followed by walls and
prayers from the people, who were kneel-
ing In the rain and mud. The first great
shock lasted four minutes and fifty sec
onds. Such a long shock had never oc-
Cured before in the memory of any in
habtant of Santiago. II caused the bells
out from the walls. and there was great
heavlng motion of the ground.
Circular Motion Helped Some.
Experts say the only thing which saved
Santiago from complete ruin was that
the motion was circular. The principal
shock was from Valparaiso to Santiago
and Mereipilla with its center at Lima
che. The last two mentioned towns were
destroyed, as also were Quillota and
Llaillai
The statement that the approach of the
earthquake was announced at the naval
observatory at Valparaiso two days pre-
vious to its occurrence is confirmed. The
news was published in the Chilean press
on Wednesday, August Is, the day be-
fore the earthquake occurred.
Santiago is still practically isolated tele-
graphically from all other parts of Chile.
but an improvised line to los Andes con-
Meeting with the European cables Is
working No really definite news has yet
been received here from Valparaiso ex-
cept the governors official report to thes
president. outlining the situation and adk'
ding that he earnestly requests reinforee-
ments tof troops. which today were Sent
to him by forced marches.
Sheds for the Homeless.
The governor Informed the presidento
that he had caused the construction Of
sheds on Brazil avenue In order to shelter
the homeless families He estimated that
the quantity of provisions on the way
to Valparaiso and the stock on hand
there would be sufficient to last a month.
The water supply, however, is very short.
owing to the destruction of the water
works.
The governor says the only illumination
Of Valparaiso at night Is that furnished
by the burning buildings. Difficulty Is
experienced In burying the bodies of the
dead owing to the panic prevailing.
The authorities of Valparaiso also have
TO contend with serious difficulties in
succoring the wounded owing to the fact
that all the drug stores apparently were
destroyed and that some time elapsed be-
fore medical supplies from this city
reached the stricken port. The state Of
affairs existing at Valparaiso furnishes
a serious outlook for Santiago, since many
OF the homeless people at the former place
will undoubtedly make their way here.
and there is not sufficient accommodation
of food in this city for the destitute peo-
pie of Santiago. The lighting and fuel Is
also growing more serious since no coal
can be brought to Santiago owing to the
railroad being damaged north and south
OF this city.
A dispatch received here from Limache
says that hundred bodies there remain
unburied and that the authorities up to
the present time have only been able to
bury 200.
Communication Is Restored.
The task of the authorities in the pres
ent situation became easier today, on
account of the fact that telegraph and
telephone communication was re-estab-
lished between Valparaiso and Santiago,
enabling the governor of Valparaiso to
consult at length with the authorities
here. Nothing definite appears to be
known of the number Of people who lost
their lives as a result of the earthquake
and fires at Valparaiso. The authorities
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