New-York tribune., 1906-08-19
rny Telegraph 70 tn. 1ribune.1

Galveston Aug 1s-Advices received In this
city show that Valparaiso has been practicaily
wrecked by earthquake and fire, and the fe"
buildings which escaped serious damage from
the auakes have either been burned or are
doomed TO the flames. The people are panic
stricken, and all attempts at organization have
proved futile. Martial law has been proclaimed.
and effort Is being made 70 calm the popuiace.
but with little hope. shocks were still being
felt this afternoon. They were not so frequent
or so violent, but were enough 20 keep the
people in state OF terror. The Mexican cable
was in operation all day 10 Valparaiso. but to
interior points all overland wires are down. and
it will be several days before they will be re-
stored.
The entire business portion OF Valparaiso has
been destroyed, and tonight the country is
lighted for miles by the burning buildings The
authorities will not permit any lights In the
buildings and at dark the cable office was
closed for the night by the authorities. The
dead and injured are estimated at between four
thousand and five thousand. while Wild r1uiors
place the figures at eight thousand and ten
thousand, but, owing 20 the lack Of systematic
reports. all figures are conjectures. though an
official gave out report that the dead and in
jured would certainly reach four thousand.
The shocks have continued since Thursday
night, and five shocks felt to-day. They
we're not severe, but were enough 70 keep the
people in a state of terror and discourage any
organization. The operators OF the cable COM
pany deserted their posts and all except two re-
fuse TO remain on duty. The shipping in the
harbor escaped damage. and every vessel is :
haven for refugees. Several panics to-day came
refuge on the ships. All buildings have been
deserted and the fire is burning. with hope
of being checked except when the flames reach
sections where the earthquakes have claimed the
structures.
Practically nothing has been done in the way
of clearing wrecks or searching for dead bOdies.
ana Iaborers refuse TO enter the ruins because OF
the continued shocks Soldiers Will force the
rescue work tomorrow
The newsgatherers have been busy. it is re-
the cable company is refusing everything except
personal and commercial MESA ses. and. owing
to the crippled force of operators. the number Of
messages is limited
Santiago is reported to have suffered severely. |
and many persons are said TO have been killed
and injured there. but no detailed report had
been received here up 10 this evening.
Santiago de Chill Aug 1S-It is reported from
Valparaiso that hve thousand deaths resulted
from the earthquake there. Details are incom-
plete. as there is no direct communication be-
tween Valparaiso and Santiago. In this city
there were thirty deaths The value of property
destroyed will reach s2,0o0Oo0
The earthquake here lasted three and half
minutes.
All telegraph and telephone lines inter
rupted for some time and as yet there is no news
regarding the extent Of the damage done in the
provinces.
jured.
few fires broke out. but these were promptly
extinguished by heavy showers after the earth
quake,
Practically half the population passed the
night in the squares or avenues of the city.
The observatory seismogIaph was rendered
useless by the violence Of the shocks.
Great excitement prevailed in the hospitals
and jails
Busine,s is suspended to-day. All the railroad
lines are interrupted.
1t is officially announced that part Of the city
of Valparaiso has been destroyed by earthquake
.nd that several buildings are on Arc.