Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-21
were destroyed, as also were Quillota al
Llaillai
Earthquake Was Predicted.


Llaillai.
Earthquake Was Predicted.
The statement that the approach of the
earthquake was announced by the naval
observatory at Valparaiso two days previ-
Gus to it's occurrence is confirmed. The news
was published In the Chilean press on We'd
nesday. August Is, the day before the
earthquake occurred.
Santiago is still practically isolated tel
graphically from all other parts of Chile,
but improvised line to Los Andes, con-
Meeting with the European cables is work.
ing. No really definite news has yet been
received here from Valparaiso, except the
governors official report to the president,
outlining the situation and adding that he
earnestly requests reinforcements of troops.
which today were sent to him by forced
marches. The governor informed the presi-
dent that he had caused the construction
of sheds on Brazil avenue in order to shell
ter the homeless families. He estimated
that the quantity of provisions on the way
to Valparaiso and the stock on hand there
would be sufficient to last month. The
water supply, however, is very short, ow
ing to the destruction Of the water works.
He calculated that two weeks must elapse
before traffic would be restored in some of
the streets.
Burning Buildings Sole Illumination.
The governor says the only illumination
by the burning buildings. Difficulty is ex-
perienced in burying the bodies of the dead,
owing to the panic prevailing.
The authorities of Valparaiso also have
to contend with serious difficulties in sue
coring the wounded owing to the fact that
all the drug stores apparently were destroy
ed and that some time elapsed before medi-
cal supplies from this city reached the
stricken port. The state of affairs existing
at Valparaiso furnishes serious outlook
Tor Santiago, since many of the homeless
people at the former place will undoubtedly
make their way here and there is not suf-
nc1ent accommodation or food In this city
for the destitute people of Santiago. The
lighting and fuel question Is also growing
more serious here, since no coal can be
brought to Santiago owing to the railroad
being damaged north and south of this city.
The uncertainty as to what Is occurring
elsewhere in Chile and the almost complete
Isolation OF Santiago. combined with the
continuing earth shocks. are terribly trying
and render the people almost desperate.
A dispatch received here from Limache
says that hundred bodies there remain
unburied and that the authorities up to the
present time have only been able to bury
two hundred.
The villages of San Francisco and Ii
mache have been totally destroyed, includ-
ing the hospitals, churches and all the pub
lie buildings.
Task of the Authorities.
The task of the authorities in the present
situation became easier today on account of
the fact that telegraph and telephone COM
munication was re-established between VAL
paraiso and Santiago, enabling the governor
of Valparaiso to consult at length with the
authorities here. Nothing definite appears
to be known regarding the number Of peo-
pie who lost their lives result of the
earthquake and fires at Valparaiso The
thOrjtiQg there ha vii tai kap
sixty bodies from the ruins, though they
add that the number of injured is very
great.
People who have arrived here from VAL
paraiso, however, confirm the alarming re-
ports of the extent of the catastrophe, but
they declare that the local authorities have
taken the most energetic measures to main
tain order and prevent pillaging. All per-
sons caught committing robberies are shot
on the spot. The people arriving here es-
innate that So per cent of the buildings
in the Terremote district have been de-
stroyed by fire. All reports agree in saying
that the Almendral and the southern dis
tricts of Valparaiso suffer the most Sc
verely. According to some OF the re-
ports Valparaiso may be said to have
been totally destroyed, 1t being asserted
that nearly all the houses which remained
standing have been so shaken that they
must be pulled down. One Of the travellers
who arrived here today says that more
than three hundred persons were killed in
that part of Valparaiso known as the Port,
and that eight hundred persons were In
jured there. but it is impossible to verify
his statement.
Populace Camped on Hills.
The majority Of the inhabitants of VAL
paraiso are camped on the hills surround
ing that city, in the parks and main thor
oughfares, or have sought refuge on board
the vessels at anchor in the bay. Martial
law continues there.
An ambulance train left here today for
Valparaiso, with large supply of medi-
cines, etc, and a detachment Of medical
students who have volunteered to assist
the earthquake sufferers. The train also
took a quantity of provisions. Supplies OF
food and medicines have also been sent to
other towns which have suffered from the
earthquakes.
r Preparations are being made to resume
trading on the Santiago stock exchange,
interrupted since the earthquake, and the
principal financial houses are taking steps
to guard against a financial panic.
In the midst Of so much distress a laugh
able incident occurred. A detachment OF
carbineers while on its way to Valparaiso
made a halt for refreshments. While the
bolted towards Valparaiso and the carbi-
that city on foot or in any vehicles which
they were able to requisition at short no.
tice
AS the correspondent closes this despatch
a further slight earth shock made the
building in which he was writing tremble
to its foundations.