The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-29
CONTINUED from First Page)

massive buildings OF ancient construc-
ton were shaken down upon the heads
Of their occupants.
The whole of Calabta and Sicily have
been placed under martial law. Lieut.
Gen Fiera di Cossatto, an army corps
commander. has been assigned to take
charge of the troops in the stricken ter
ritory. His first order was TO shoot loot
ers and thieves on sight
Strict military rule has become
necessity because the police officers in
the earthquake zone who escaped death
or injury themselves suffered the loss
OF members of their families or of rela-
tives and are completely demoralized
The Chief OF Police of Messna lies
dead in the ruins of his office.
Vandsls Rob the Dead
The barracks at Messina were demol-
lshed by the earthquake, the commander
of the troops was Killed and many of
the emil sted men are numbered among
the victims Troops are being rushed
to Calabria and the Island of Sicily on
every available ship.
The shamelessness and horror Of the
vandalism that has been practised in the
absence Of any police military re-
strictions is indcscribable. II would APP
pear that the naturally lawless and reck-
less, of whom there remain many in Ca
labria and Sicily, escaped injury. In
Sicily the bandits and outlaws flocked
from hiding places in the mountains TO
the ruined cities and villages and found
to their unholy JOY that there were few.
If any, policemen or soldiers to restrain
III cir criminal bent.
The ruins were pillaged, the bodies OF
the dead We're robbed and houses that
had escaped destruction, but were de-
serted by their owners. We're ransacked
Last night In Messina was one of hor-
ror, but the arrival of troops this morn
Ing sent many of the ghouls scur-ying
back to their mountain retreats.
Mount Etra In Eruption.
",ro add to the horror of the situa-
ton in Sicily, nit. Esna began to rum
BILE and groap this morning and day
light showed thick smoke belching
from the crater. che disturbance of
the volcano 81 directly due TO the
earthquake, but rc:cntists do not an
ticipate an eruption ouch az has devas-
rated the Island in times past.
Fires starting III the ruins throughout
the stricken district ragged unchecked all
of yesterday and last night To-day
they have either burned themselves out
or have been extinguished.
?estiIence Feared.
The weather Is warm and pestilence
is feared because of the difficulty that
will be experienced in removing bodies
from under the massive stones that
compose the ruins of the finest palaces
churches, theatres and public buildings
of the ruined cities. This danger has
been anticipated by the authorities, and
sanitary precautions are being arranged
for.
The disaster is so widespread and so
complete that even the most complete
relief measures would prove inadequate.
The whole province OF Reggie de Gala
bria is in ruins. and progress over much
Of the district is possible only on foot
The tidal wave thirty-two feet high that
followed the earthquake materially al
tered the confgurauon of the Straits Of
Messina between Sicily and the main
land, wiped out lights and guiding marks
for mariners, changed harbors and made
navigation matter of guess Work. This
adds to the difficulty Of giving relief to
the points where the disaster was most
severe, along the banks of the Straits Of
Messina.
Warships to Aid.
Wireless telegraphy has been Of great
assistance in gathering information
and despatching aid Three Italian
battleship bound out through the Medi-
terranean for cruise in the Atlantic.
were called back by wireless and are
now at Messina. a British squadron of
warshps has left Syracuse for Messina
carrying doctors and medicines and sup
plies for the wounded and also disin-
fectants.
Catanla, Sicily. suffered severely. The
Bishop of Messina is buried under the
ruins of bis palat there. Sig. Fulci, a
member OF the Chamber OF Deputies
from Messina and the most prominent
citizen OF Catania, was killed with all
the members of his family, The tidal
wave of Riposto was 35 feet high and
moved landward for AZ seconds before
II began TO recede.
Dead at Other Points.
Reports have been received from two
other towns in Calabria, Cassano and