Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-08-17
Great Loss of Life and
Property on South
American Coast.
FEW DETAILS RECEIVED
Seismic Disturbance Lasting
Several Hours Recorded
at Washington.

New York, Aug 17-Cable advices
report the city of Valparaiso, Chile,
was badly damaged by an earthquake.
Many persons were killed and injured.
May be Serious as at Frisco.
One report received here says the
situation in Valparaiso may prove to
be as serious as the San Francisco dis
aster. Practically every building in the
city was damaged. and there are three
fires in different parts of the city. The
earthquake has interrupted cable facil.
tiles to lower South American points
and communication is restricted to the
route via Lisbon.
LOSS of Life Not Confirmed.
Another report from Valparaiso is
the loss of life has not been confirmed.
Valparaiso is the most important COM
mercial town on the western coast of
South American, and has a population
of 10000.
Capital OF Province.
1t is the capital of the province of
the same name, and is situated on a
large bay in the Pacific ocean rs miles
northwest of Santiago, with which it
is connected by rail The bay of Val
paraiso, whish is we'll sheltered on
three sides, is bounded by ranges of
hills rising to from / 500 to LOO feet
high on slopes on which a considerable
portion OF the city of Valparaiso is
built
Has Fine Suburbs.
On the south sidekof the bay are the
spacious suburbs of Nuevo Malecon
and Gran Avenida. FROM which pass
out one of the finest rhoroughfares of
Valparaiso. Avenida De Las Delicias.
The lower central section of the city
has regular and attractive streets con-
tanning the principal business houses.
park, Plaza Victoria, and the National
theater.
Part Has Narrow Streets.
To the northwest of this section is
the quarter of the city known as Puer-
to Cor port), in which are situated the
greater number of public buildings
and vast warehouses which line the
quays and docks. In this portion of the
city, however, narrow and crooked
streets are still feature, but the new
er sections of Valparaiso have an at
tractive, modern appearance. buildings
in the business quarters being massive
ly built.
Important Commercially.
The port of Valparaiso is the termi-
nus of important lines of steamers for
Europe by way of the Straits of Magei-
Ian and Panama, and is the center of
the South American coasting service
1t contains a numerous foreign colony,
composed chiefly of British, German
and French merchants. Severe storms
and tidal wave at Valparaiso June
80, 1899, wrecked the railroad and did
great damage to the city.
ReestabIish Communication.
New York, Aug. 1.-THE Central &
South American Telegraph company
has reestablished its main Office in Val
paraiso and are working with the city
now This would Seem to show condi-
tions are not as serious as at first re-
ported.
burning All Night.
A report has reached the city that
portions of Valparaiso were burning all
night and the bodies of 100 residents
are buried in the ruins
shock Not Serious.
London. Aug. 17.-An earthquake
shock was felt at Mendoza. Argentina,
last night. but did not result in any SER
ious consequences, according to a dis
patch from Buenos Ayres.
Felt mt Washington.
Washington. Aug. E..-The weather