The San Francisco call., 1908-12-29
3 PROVINCES
DEVASTATEDBY
SEVERE SHOCKS
inhabitants Flee to Churches
and ImpIOre Divine
Mercy
Pope Greatly Distressed, but Is
Restrained From Visiting
Scene of Havoc
Tidal Wave Increases Horror
and mandates HarbOrs
in Sicily

formed heroic work in trying to save
life
The Italian government proceeded
energeticaIly to relive the widespread
distress, concentrating at the points of
greatest need troops and engineers.
Members OF the Red Cross were dis
patched to various places and camps
with provisions. which were immedi-
ately prepared. al available railway
lines and warships being used for their
transport. The city of Messina has suf-
fered probably more than any other
place. the latest information coming
directly from that quarter stating that
tFSo-thirds Of the town was destroyed
and several thousand persons killed.
THo gf1t Ii End of the World
The steamers Washington and Mon
febello. which were in that harbor later
proceeded TO Catania. loaded with in
jured. who were so stupefied by terror
shat they seemed unable TO realize
what had happened. simply saying that
it looked as though the end of the
world had come. Five steamers left
Catania for Messins to assist in re-
moving the injured from that place,
who are reported 10 number thousands.
At Catanis the panic stricken people,
fearing new shocks, absolutely refuse
10 enter their houses and are camping
on the squares that are free from water
End in the surrounding country.
The tidal wave sank 500 boats there
and did great damage to several large
vessels and steamers. including the
Austrian steamer Budapest.
Not only did Catania suffer from the
effects Of a tidal wave. but a similar
body OF water inundated the handsome
streets Of Messina which fanked the
llsrbor. covering them with thick
layer cf mud, which rendered more dif-
ricvIt the suecoring of The wounded.
many Of whom could be seen lying un-
der the wreckage
1t is reported that the villages OF
Faro and Ganzirri, adjoining Messina,
have disappeared. The effects of the
earthquake were aggravated through
az explosion OF gas. The flames swept
along several streets. adding terror
upon terror
Stefanac0ni Is Destroyed
In Calabria the region around Monte
leone was most affected. The city of
Stefanaconi. the inhabitants of which
humber 5000. was virtually destroyed
only FIVE persons We're killed, but many
were injured.
Monsignor Morabito, the bishop Of
Mileto who distinguished himself in
the earthquake Of 1905. did valiant work
sgein today. He rushed into places
where the ruin was greatest and
gave aid and encouragement 10 all.
Thousands Of persons abandoned
their homes, although terrific rain
storm prevailed, and filled the air with
lamentations and prayers. IN some
places, such as Prizzo, Cotrone, Santa
Severina and Piscopio. the people en-
tered the churches almost while the
latter were falling and carried out the
saints. They bore these in procession
through the open country, Invoking the
mercy Of God.
Take Refuge in Caves
In the mountainous regions inland
the population has taken refuge in
grottos and caves, where peasants and
priests, soldiers and persons of gentle
birth are living in common. They
sleep on the ground and fires burn to
keep of wild animals. In Aloi alone
1000 persons are homeless.
Extraordinary scenes are reported at
Catania. Following a violent earth
shock AZ $50 O'Clock the sea rose in
tremendous wave. which wrecked many
small boats. IT then suddenly retired
and returned as Quickly. causing fur
ther great damage and wreckage.
ImpIOre Divine Mercy
Awakened by the shock the inhabi-
tants fed panicstricken from their
homes into the streets and squares
Professions were organized, and soon
ali the churches were filled with weep
ing crowds imploring divine mercy
Cardinal Nava, bishop Of Catania. ex-
h0rted the people to be calm. He
promised that the body Of st. Agatha
should be carried in procession. St
Agatha is regarded as the special de-
liFerer for ali scourges and according
10 history the pious inhabitants OF
Catania diverted the course of the lava
stream in 1853 when fearful erup-
tion OF Mount Aetna took place. by
extending the veil OF ST. Agatha toward
81. thus saving the city as the lava
was turned aside near the Benedictine
monastery and descended into the sea
While the number Of deaths at that
place is not believed to be large. there
were several terrific occurrences.
Among the children swept away by
The wave was 4 boy 10 months old
who was torn from the arms of his
mother The mother. too. was over
come by the force Of the water and
lost consciousness. but her body was
caught by railing and she remained
there until she was rescued.
Midnight reports stated that Reggie.
the capital Of the province OF Reggie
81 Cslabria. eight miles from Messina
on the opposite side OF the strait. has
met the same fate as Messins, but
these reports have not been confirmed.
owing 10 the lack OF telegraphic IA
cilities
a very severe shock was felt at Cal
tanissetta. city OF Sicily, and although
much damage was done no one was
killed. The shock created great alarm,
and Notwithstanding the downpour OF
rain the whole population remained in
the streets throughout the day and
marched ia religious procession.
Pope Greatly Distressed
The pope was greatly distressed at
hearing Of the scourge that had aflfct-
cd he, al .1ors