Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-18

Except for Il few private messages
received early today reporting an
earthquake in Chile and damage to
buildings in Valparaiso, no direct news
from Chile has as yet been received.
The early reports, coming from differ
ent points, stated that the earthquake
had resulted in great loss of life and
widespread damage to property. Up
to II o'clock tonight, however, there
had been nothing to confirm these re-
ports.
The Associated Press correspondent
at Buenos Ayres cables that it is fear
ed the town of Los Andes in the prov
ince of Aconagua, has been destroyed
At the same time he points out that
Buenos Ayres has no direct commune
cation with the disturbed district.
No official information has reached
Washington from Chile and while posi-
tive information is lacking, New York
officials OF cable companies having
connection with South America tonight
express the opinion that the first re-
ports of the earthquake We're exaggcr-
ated.
All cables reaching New York from
Chile and Valparaiso early tonight
We're evidently much delayed, accord
ing to the statements of these officials
who are themselves unable to get any
inf a vim 11n cit
other than the fact that an earthquake
had occurred; that the disturbance
has disarrangcd the telegraph APP
paratus and interfercd with commune
elton. There is much anxiety tonight
among these who have friends and
relatives in Chilli. The cable companies
and newspapers are making every eff
fort to secure definite information.
1t is pointed out that the entire alb
scnCc Of any word from official sources
in Valparaiso ana other points in
Chile may be taken as Indicating con-
siderable cXasgcration in tn" reports
of loss of life and extent Of damage.
Tho reports received from various
quarters of the globe regarding the
Valparaiso disaster have varied greatly,
some going 50 far as to compare the
havoc wrought to that of tn" San Fran
cisco catastrophe with details much the
same. 1t is said that the city at first
was shaken by q violent earthquake,
took FIRE and WAS burning fiercely.
many scores pcrishinG in the flames and
the ruins Of the falling buildings.
The latest Of the reports along this
line comes by way of London and are
to the effect that a Hamburg firm has
received dispatch to the effect that
numerous districts of Chile have been
destroyed. many ships lost and more
than 100 persons killed. 1t is added,
however. that the dispatch is not well
authenticated. This is true of all the
dispatches and rumors which purport
to give details of the disaster.
One London firm has received ca
blceram from Valparaiso which says:
"Scyere earthquake. Commerce par
alyZed. Town afire. Staff safe.
\, mention is made of serious loss
Of life in this brief but probably accu-
rate dispatch and this is regarded as
honeful sign of the situation.
The central cable office of the West
ern Union Telegraph Co. in New YORK
has received service message saying
the VALPARAISO office closed for the
night at II. 80 o'clock. Eastern time.
This is an unusual proceeding, but II
is not explained. None of the private
messages coming from Valparaiso
some Of them in response to messages
of inouiry rs to safety of relatives OF
friends make mention Of serious loss
of life.
New York. Aug 1.-THE city OF val
naraiso. Chilli, is reported badly dam
ed by earthquake. One report recelN-
cd here is that the situation in 'aipa'-
also NAV prove to be as serious as Tie
San Francisco disaster.
Practically every building IN 'iie oiss
is damaged and there are fires III tie
different parts of the city Man od
sons are reported killed and injured
The earthquake has interrup.eu canie
facilities to lower South An 0-;n1
POINTS and communication is restricted
r. The route VIC Lisbon
Another report from Nalaraisu G So m
the loss of life has not been conn. i.'e ~.
FIRES are burning in various p''' VI
| the city. .,ed this city
| One report which reached sro iaos were
said that portions Of Valparaiso ne