Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-08-22
EXTENT OF DISASTER
NOT YET REALIZED


Santiago. Aug. 21.-Only now can
the seriousness OF the catastrophe be-
gin to be appreciated. The greater
part of many houses are unsafe for
habitation and the authorities have
organized a special corps to pun
down the tOttering buildings. In most
of the strets 1t is not safe TO walk on
the pavement, owing to falling debris.
Santiago resembles a camp. The pub
lie squares and principal avenues are
crowded with people sleeping in the
open The night of August 16 was
rendered dreadful by the flashing of
lightning and pouring rain.
Electric cables and wires swapping
as the result of constant strong earth
shocks which occurred all that night
caused the greatest CONSERVATION
which was heightened by the pealing
OF fire bells announcing the breaking
out of fires in various quarters of the
city.
The first great shock lasted four
minutes and fifty seconds. Such a
long shock had never occurred before
in the memory of any Santiago inhab-
liant The experts say that the only
thing which saved Santiago from
complete ruin was that the motion
was circular. The principal shock was
from Valparaiso to Santiago and Me-
ripilla with its center at Limache. The
last two mentioned towns were de-
stroyed as were Quillota and Llaillai.
The proximity of the earthquake was
announced by the naval observatory
two days previous to its occurrence.
The task of the authorities in
the present situation became cas-
Ter today on account Of the fact that
the telegraph and telephone was re.
established between Valparaiso and
Santiago. enabling the governor of
Valparaiso to consult at length with
the authorities here. People arriving
here from Valparaiso confirm the
alarming reports of the extent of the
catastrophe but they declare the local
authorities have taken the most en-
ergetic measures to maintain order
and prevent pillaging. All persons
caught robbing are shot on the spot.
People arriving here estimate that 80
per cent of the buildings in the re-
mote districts have been destroyed by
fire. All reports agree that Almendral
and the southern district of Valpa>
raiso suffered the most severely. Ac-
cOrding to some reports, Valparaiso
may be said to have been totally de-
stroyed It being asserted that all the
houses which remained standing have
been shaken so that they must be
pulled down.
Chilean Sailors to Rescue.
Valparaiso, Aug. 23.-The oppor-
tune arrival of the Chilean fleet which
steamed into Valparaiso harbor here
to welcome Secretary Root helped
save the situation following the earth
quake. AS in San Francisco, the
sailors were landed and placed in
charge of the city pending the arrival
of government troops. They patrolled
the water front and guarded the
wrecked banks and other buildings
containing valuables, with orders to
shoot thieves and robbers on sight.
| The soldiers shot a number of labor
ers who were caught rifling the dead
and robbing buildings and their bod
| les were suspended from telegraph
poles, bearing large placards reading,
| "por ladrones," warning looters. A
strange fact in connection with the
earthquake is that the daily papers
| published a prognosticatlon of the ca
| tastrophe several hours in advance of
the first shocks.
President TO Head Relief Work.
Buenos Ayres, Aug. 21.-The Ma
cion today published a special dis
patch from La Paz Bolivia, announce
| ing that two thousand persons lost
their lives as the result of the earth
quake shocks and fires at Valparaiso,
that 100 deaths from the same causes
occurred at Limache forty at Quillota,
thirty-five at Conchali, eleven at Pc
trada, ninety at La Placilla and six at
| La Colera. on Sunday there was Il
strong CONFUSION at Valparaiso which
| produced further panic. A dispatch
from Santiago today announces that
President Riesco is proceeding to VAL
paraisO accompanied by the minister
of the interior and of war to super
pervise the relief work.