Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-29
THOUSANDS ARE REPORTED KILLED
Full Result Of Catastrophe Not Yet
kncwn-Wires Down; Railways
Distracted by Lands'ides-many
Stu1cfied by Superstitious Terror
Whole Villages Disappeared.
(By Associated Press.)

ceS Of COSenZa, CatanZarO and Reggie
Di Calabria. comprising the depart
ment of Calabria, which forms the
southwestern extremity OF Italy. or
The toe of the boot, were deyastat-
ed today by an earthquake, the far
reaching effects of which were felt
almost throughout the entire country.
The town OF Messina. in Sicily. was
partially destroyed. and Catania was
Inundated. In Messina hundreds OF
houses have fallen and many persons
have been killed.
Owing however. to the fact that
telegraphic and telephone communi-
cations were almost completely des-
troyed. it is impossible TO obtain even
an approximate idea Of the vast
damage done.
Destruction is Terrible.
The fate of the entire regions with
in the zone of the earthquake is I'M
known but reports received here UP
to a late hour tonight indicate that
the havoc has been great and the
destruction to life and property more
terrible than Italy has experienced in
many years.
The uncertainty of the situation for
many thousands has filled all Italians
with the deepest distress. for they
still have fear that the day may come
when that part Of the country, which
seems to have been most blessed by
nature, will be destroyed by the blind
forces of that same nature which
nearly 10 centuries ago overwhelmed
Pompeii and Herculaneum.
All reports show that the present
catastrophe embraces larger area
than the earthquake in 1905.
Tidal Wave Sank Vessels.
The tidal wave which followed the
earth shocks on the eastern coast OF
Sicily sank vessels and inundated the
lower part Of Catania.
1t is known that a number of peo-
pie were killed at that place. but the
rushing waters carried everything be-
fore them and caused such an hides
cribable confusion that i: will be i'm
possible fer some time to estimate
the damage and the lives lost.
For q period the town Of Messing
and the whole province of Reggie
were completely isolated through in
terruptions to the telegraph and tele-
phones and landslides that obstruct.
ed the railways.
Torpedo Boat Conveyed News.
Absolutely nothing was heard from
Reggie throughout the day. while the
first news from Messina came in the
form Of a despatch which a torpedo
boat, flying at full speed. along tn
coast o: the peninsula. carried from
point to point, always finding the
wires down. until it reached Nico
terra. where the telegraph lines yer"
found TO be intact.
From this point the despatch was
sent
II briefly stated that the situation
was desperate and after SUMMARY
ing the immensely Of the catastrophe,
ended with the announcement that
Captain PASSING. commander Of the
local station Of torpedo beats. was
buried under debris after having
with other oficers performed heroic
work in trying to save others.
Government Relief Measures.
The Italian government proceeie i
enerSetioaIly 10 relieve the "a :.
spreaa disasters. concentrating a.
the points Of greatest need. troops
and engineers.
Members Of the Rel Cross ~er|
despatched to various places. and
camps with provisions were imme-
diately prepared. all available railway
lines and warships being used for
their transportation.
The city Of Messina has suffered
probably more than any other place.
the latest Information c-ming ind
rec,ly from that quarter stating that
two thirds Of the town was destroyed
and several thousand persons Killed
The steamers washington and Mon.
.iebio which were IN that harbor later
proceeded 70 Cstania. loaded with in