Milford chronicle., 1906-08-24
EARTHQUAKE
SHAKES CHILE
Thousands Are Dead and Property
Loss Over slOO,QOO,OOO.
VALPARAISO SUFFERED MOST

Destroyed.
Valparaiso, Aug 22.-The creates
damage from the earthquake Occurre,
in the provinces of Valparaiso ant
Aconcagua The town OF Abarca sui
fered severely. Llai Llai is reported
TO have entirely disappeared, an,
Limache and Hierroviejo have beer
almost totally wrecked. At Vina de
Mar three-quarters of the houses are
in ruins.
The loss of life by the earthquake
of Thursday, August 16, probably viii
not be short of 5000, while the proper
ty destroyed is estimated at 100000,
600 and possibly far in excess OF that
sum.
The authorities of Valparaiso have
taken over the feeding of the people,
and provisions are being brought in
from places that were not destroyed.
Slight earth shocks are continuing.
The people have not yet returned to
their homes, but are sleeping on the
surrounding hills and in the streets
and squares. The fires have all been
extinguished More than 100 men
taken in the act of committing rob
berries have been shot.
Relief is being organized with sys-
tenn. and the government has taken
complete control of the situation. The
foreign legations are active in relief
measures. as are private persons. and
the greatest energy is being devoted
to getting in supplies for the desti
tute The government has authorized
the provincial governors to spend all
money necessary for the relief of the
needy in their districts. The funds
subscribed in Iquique to celebrate the
election of Pedro Montt to the presi
dency viii be expended to relieve the
sufferers. Public relief subscriptions
have been opened in Buenos Ayres
and the Argentine government will
pass an appropriation to the same /
end Chile will ask its congress for |
money for the reconstruction of Val !
paraiso.
The statement is made that every |
building in Valparaiso has been dam
aged and the city has been described I
as "uninhabitable The Almendral |
quarter and the principal streets are
mere heaps OF ruins. The people still |
throng the surrounding hills and the
seashore, and many are leaving the
locality as best they may. It is re
ported that at several points the coast
has lifted above its former level. The
troops are maintaining perfect order
and the military ambulances are car
rying the wounded to the hospital
and medical supplies are be
ing sent down to Valparaiso from
Santiago. A commercial crisis is
feared and very little business is be
ing done.
The streets of the city are con.
stantly patrolled by military and other
'orces. The authorities are taking en-.
srgetic measures to maintain order.
Many robbers have been shot and
lilled on the spot Martial law pre-
,ails.
It is firmly believed here that the
earthquake was more Sc
ere than the one which visited San
Losses in life and property
re enormous, but all estimates are as
ct premature.
Twenty Dead at Santiago.
Santiago suffered much less than
-alparaiso. The number of dead in
antiago is reported at 20. The prop
rty loss is estimated at $1.50O00O. A
zeal relief committee has been or
anized, the street cars have resumed
inning, and the normal aspect of the
ty is rapidly returning. Refugees
ON Valparaiso are coming in in
reater number every hour. The rail
,ads are not yet in operation.
Vina del Mar (three miles from Val
lraiso and having a population OF
'er 10000; Quirihue 1925 miles to
e southwark, with a population OF
00), Salto Iimache Us miles to the
'rthwest, with population of $500
iilloto (25 miles to the northwest
It'll a population of 10000. and vii
ges all around were destroyed.
The night of August 16 was ren
red dreadful by flashing lightning
d pouring rain. the electric cables b
d wires swapping as result of the I
Instant strong earth shocks which u
Cured all that night, causing the Fl
eatest CONSERVATION. which was q
ightened by the pealing of the fire n
tls announcing the breaking out OF I,
es in various quarters of the city n
ch earth shock was followed by s.
lis and prayers from the people b
% we're kneeling in the rain and
Id.
The principal shock was from Val
also to Santiago and Meripilla, with -
centre at Limache The last two u
ntioned towns We're destroyed. as -
o were Quillota and Llaillai 81
he statement that the approach Of g
earthquake was announced by the le
-al observatory at Valparaiso two m
s previous to its occurrence is con. m
ned. The news was published in the
lean press on Wednesday. August
the dav haforr fha parfhouake oc. to