New-York tribune., 1906-04-20

parture On the further western side the flames
cut a wide path TO Van Ness avenue. but here.
owing 10 the width Of that thoroushfare and to
the additional fact that there was a weak water
supply In the mains. 1t was hoped to check the
ruin at this line
There is still much confusion concerning the
loss of life. This forenoon there were twenty
seven bodies lying in Portsmouth Square, gath
cred from various sections 1t is said that else
where bodies are lying in the streets. there being
no means available TO remove them. In his
travels down Market street the Associated Press
representative saw three bodies lying IN the
debris. some rude covering having been thrown
over them.
At 1870 o'clock the flames were sweeping up
Russian HILL famed by a brisk wind
The most lamentable feature OF the conhagra-
ton is the utter absence of means to stay It's
progress There is not sound water main east
OF Van Ness avenue and west of that street the
supply has been made scanty by numerous
breaks in the continuity of the pipes. due 10 the
earthquake Yet at Van Ness avenue the fire.
men. though practically exhausted from over
twenty-fcur hours work and lack of food, de-
termined to make a desperate stand Should
the fire cross Van Ness avenue and the wind
continue its earlier direction toward the west.
the destruction of San Francisco will pracu-
caIly be complete West Of Van Ness avenue and
north of McAllister street lies the finest
part OF the metropolis. Here all the finer
homes OF the well-to-do and wealthier classes.
and Il they should fall before the conaagration
there would be little left of the city except
few scattered suburbs. 1t is in these latter
p,sces and especially the ones nearer the ocean
beach, that the bulk of the homeless are seeking
safety. although the rush to the ferries was in
the nature OF panic.
BEGINNING a DAY OF TERROR.
The magnitude OF the calamity that had be-
fallen San Francisco became partially apparent
this morning when a red sun arose above the
horizon and dissipated the pail of darkness that
hung over the stricken districts. Looking east
ward from the heights in the central portion OF
the city everything attested the awful havoc
wrought by earthquake and flame. Where once
rose noble buildings stood nothing but frail
walls tottering chimneys. heaps OF twisted iron
and huge piles of brick and mortar. Adding to
the horror of the situation the fact that the
work of destruction had not reached its cul-
mination.
It was with saddened hearts that the COM
munity viewed the ruin of their city but the
people are seemingly half dazed by the masni
tude of the disaster and it will be some days
home TO them.
Possibility of famine is already presenting its
hideous face. At best the city never carried
more than three days supply OF food. and now.
with the wholesale districts and warehouses
wiped out, there is shortage of food already.
Prices to-day were in most instances more than
trebed.
SHORT sHRIFT FOR THIEVES.
This morning policemen stationed at
some of the retail shops regulating the sale of
food, and permitting only small portion be
delivered to each purchaser. the idea being to
prevent a few persons from obtaining large
quantities of supplies. Reports were received
that many men caught in the act of looting had
| been shot. The military unusually strict in
| the enforcement of the order to shoot all loot
ers. One man in Market street. found digging
in the ruin of jewelry shop discovered
by a naval reserve man and fired on three
times. The fellow sought safety in flight but
the reserve man brought him down by running
| bayonet through him The bodies of three
thieves We're found in the streets on the South
Side this forenoon. It is impossible to verify
the many reports of shooting. Concerted action
of any kind. in fact is out of the question. and
almost every official is acting on his own re-
sponsibility. it being physical impossibility
to communicate with superior authorities.
Yesterday some sort Of systematic conmuni-
but to-day every street is piled high with ruins.
and to add to this trouble there is constant
danger from falling walls. On miles of streets
the front walls of ruined buildings still stand.
swayng with the conclusions Of distant dvna-
mite explosions and the rising wind. Ere
quently crash of stone and brick. followed by
cloud of dust, gives warning to pedestrians
of the unsafety of travel
All manner of reports of death and disaster
are coming 10 the temporary headquarters Of
the authorities. but these reports are received
guardedly, allowance being made for the nkeli-
hood of exaggeration due to the confusion that
prevails in the stricken city.
Probably two hundred thousand refugees are
struggling get out of the city. and hourly
the task is becoming more difficult as the fire
and heat cut off avenue after avenue OF escane