The Washington times., 1906-08-19

LIMA, Peru, Aug. 1s.-WOrd reach
ed here late this afternoon that the
magnificent city OF Santiago de
Chile. the third city IN South Amer
lea in wealth and population, has
been practically destroyed by the
terrible earthquake shock which'
wrenched the west coast Of lower
South America on Thursday night.
The telegraph service is so badly
demoranzed that only the most
meager reports are coming through.
but every dispatch gives color 20
the growing belief that the splendid
capital OF Chile Is a mass of ruins
which are being consumed IN many
places by flames.
More than half OF the $4,000
persons vino made up the popUla-
ton are believed 70 be homeless.
and many of the great public struc-
lures are destroyed or badly dam
aged. These include the magnificent
capitol building. IN which the na-
tional congress and the supreme
court meet; the great cathedral.
which is one OF the finest in South
America; the palace OF the arch
bishop OF Chile; the summer resi-
dence Of the president Of the repub-
lie. colleges, libraries, converts
monasteries. municipal structures,
and the homes Of many Of Chiles
wealthiest men.
First Shock Most Severe.
The first shock. which was the most
violent. seemed 10 rip the very fOunda-
lions Of the city walls. and hurled them
into the streets. The entire electric
light system was put out OF cOmmis-
sion.
The scenes that followed were plufuL
In the poorer section OF the city the in-
habitants fed half dressed 10 the streets,
and as shock followed shock their cries
and suppIcations could be heard above
the crash Of falling walls
AZ in Valparaiso aTes broke out in
many places. and owing to the failure
of the water supply IL was almost i'm
possible 20 stay their progress. Block
after block Of once magnificent structures
was attacked by the flames, and It was
at last necessary 70 resort 20 the use OF
dynamite.
Buildings Being Blown Up.
Many buildings have already been
blown up. and the flames are stiu
spreading with alarming rapidity. The
business section has suffered worst thus
threatened. and II the spread OF the
flames is not soon checked practically
nothing viii be left Of the city,
At this time IT is especially difficult 10
gain even the vaguest estimate OF the
number of dead. either in Santiago or
Valparaiso. owing to the confusion and
excitement which prevail IN those
places. Most Of the telegraph lines
from the coast TO the interior are down,
and the few which are stI1 working are
in bad shaoe-
People Flee to Hills.
Word came from one Of the telegraph
operators IN Santiago this afternoon
that there had been a renewal Of the
shocks and that many buildings that
had not been destroyed by the first
quake had been thrown down. Every
where fires were burning. and the
heavens We're aglow for miles with the
reflection OF the flames as they eat their
way from street to street The inhab-
itants IN panic were fleeing 20 the hills
for safety. and the thoroughfares were
choked with frenzied men and women
trying to save their own belongings.
Both there and in Valparaiso the au-
thOrities with great prompIness called
out the entire military force. and the
soldiers. acting under orders. we're
shooting down the lOOters. who put in
an early appearances. Dozens or ghOuls