Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-05-04
Worse Than Stated.

ICSi'Ltt tuc dttCibplS W AOoN ~ WV
san Francisco misfortune from an OPP
tlmistic standpoint, there are dark
features that appal the stoutest heart
at times, when some incident recalls
the mighty and hitherto unexpected
that result from the
Earth's upheavals. Very seldom has
there been much anticipation Of dam.
age from anything but falling build
ings, but now result has been demon.
strated, beyond question, that the same
mighty power will, under present con-
ditiors, start fires and destroy by the
same uphcaval the means of arresting
their progress. The Use Of electricity
for many purposes likewise increases
the liability of flames from crossed
wires, at many points, amid the COM
bustiblc material shaken loose, and
distracts effort for its extinction, even
were the usual appliances for fighting
the de-tro! ing element to remain in
order.
The disposition to look upon the
bright side i'll tho present emergency
has been at times ovcrshadowed by
shocks that have made themselves
manifest over the whole area of ruins,
since the great disaster. At an early
hour, Monday morning, two shocks
we're felt in an interval OF an hour. No
damage was done, except to brighten
the people and diminish the conf
dence felt in restoring the city. Three
lighter shocks were felt Sunday, but
they were quite severe enough to keep
the mind from soaring away from stern
realities to the realms OF blissful I'm.
consciousness OF impending danger.
H. G. Brysou, OF Walla Walla, who
returned home a few days ago from
the burnt city declares, in a statement,
dated on Monday, that the condi.
tons are persistently understated !;
that the dead will number $4,000, and
the ruin and desolation is beyond COM
prehensior; that every effort is being
made to restore q confidence that may
enlist help from the outside in re-
establishing trade conditions. He says
that "The burned area OF the stricken
city extends over 5000 acres and the
stencil arising from the dead who are
being dug out as fast as possible, is 90
terrible it can scarcely be endured. In
one emergency hospital 700 people,
who had been injured in the earth.
quake, were burned before they could
be removed and in Chinatown it is
believed that at least 1000 were suf-
located and burned to DEATH"
The spirit Of theft and robbery is
again rife in the city. It has been
found that many members of the
same family have applied for rations
and have secured supplies sufficient to
stock small groceries; that teamsters
have been storing away instead OF
delivering food supplies at their proper
destinations.
The military forces are, however,
systemizing matters so as to detect
such outrages and put stop to them.
Gen. Funston informs the government
that the presence of U. 8. troops ia
necessary for the main ten ance of any.
thing like discipline or good order.
He thinks that it will be necessary to
keep 5000 troops there for an indefi-
mite period; till at least civil authority
is fully established.
The Mayor gives notice that food for
q couple OF weeks is ell that is at hand
now, and that charitable people will
have to continue their good offices to
prevent suffering.
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