The San Francisco call., 1906-08-20

~ ANTLGO DE CHILE. Aug. 1s.LIt
> is known that eight lives were
lost in this city. by the. earth
quake. but it is. believed that
many persons were killed by the fall
ing buildings and that their bodies will
be discovered. later Several persons
became so panic-stricken during the
tremblings of the earth that they threw
themselves from the balconies of their
homes and were killed. The fires which
followed the earthquake IN this city
were promptly extinguished, but while
they lasted they added greatly to the
terror of the people.
AS all telegraph and telephone lines
were more or less damaged the exact
situation throughout the country is not
vet known, but advices have been re-
ceived 10 the effect that the towns of
Virlage and Casa Blanca were entirely
DESTROYED and that San Felipe, Ran
cagua, MiIpilla and Llaillai were Sc
verely damaged. At Conception the
shocks were severe and number of
persons were killed or injured. The
towns of Rengo, San Fernando, Quill
lotta and San Antonio and many viii
lages are in ruins. All railway service
in the central zone is either interrupted
entirely or greatly delayed and COM
In the city of Santiago much damage
was done Many public buildings, par
ticularly churches, were idsmantled
The buildings of Congress. the munici-
pal buildings, the Normal School, the
courts. the Peruvian Legation, the res
idence of President Reisco, the Cen
traI Market the Prefecture of Police
and the national telegraph office all
were seriously damaged The lines of
ctar
tic light wires were short circuited.
!nterrupting street car traffic and
rIunging the city into dIrkness.
The scenes at the hospitals and
prisons during the excitement were dis
tTessing in the extreme. The prisoners
tried TO escape from the jails in tile
hope that they might reach place of
safety, and prison guards were obliged
to fire into the air in order to intimi-
date end quiet their panic-stricken
There have been several return
shocks of slight intensity. These
shocks have served to continue the
state of public alarm and a state of
panic still prevails. The astronomical
observatory, has given out statement
to the effect that il does not appear
possible that there Will be a repetition
of the severe shocks. Last night many
persons slept in the. tramway cars. in
carriages and in the open air in the
public squares and inosthe streets The
Government has taken steps to restore
order An inspection of all houses left
standing has been ordered and ditec-
tions have been issued for the dfstribu-
ton of relief supplies to those in need.
A troop of cavalry has been sent to re-
establish communication With Valpa-
raiso
The alarm, ng news first received by
the Government from Valparaisof as to
the situation in that city has not been
confirmed, but it is known numerous
buildings in the vicinity of the port
were destroyed and that there have
been severe fires. in. the Almendral
quarter The Mayor of Valparaiso sent
word that he did not know the number
of killed and wounded. but he believed
they were numerous. Firenen left San
tiago yesterday for Valparaiso to aid
in extingHishingz tlie-fires there. The
customs house in Valparaiso. is report
ed to be burning.
Several travellers who have Just ar
rived here from Valparaiso say that re-
ports of the situation in that city were
exaggerated. An eniploye of the tele-
graph service. sent. word from Salto.
near Valparaiso. con firtnfng the news of
the serious fres in the Almendral quar-
ter. This employe also sent news that
the Spanish Italian Bank was destroyed
s.by the earthquake A traveller who