The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-12-31
THREE PROVINCES IN SOUTHERN
ITALY DEVASTATED ~
EARTH TREMoR.
THOUSANDS ARE HOMELESS
Tidal Wave Sunk Many Vessels and
Inundated Towns On The
Eastern Coast Of
Sicily.

VI Ohldblld loInS inc bOuluWeSLeI0
extremity of Italy or the toe of the
boot, we're devastated Monday 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 killed. Owing
however, to the fact that telegraphic
and telephone Communications we're
almost completely destroyed, It is i'm
possible 10 obtain even an approximate
idea Of the vast damage done.
The fate Of entire regions within the
earthquake zone Is unknown but re-
ports received here up to late hour
Monday night 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 fllled all Italy
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 ninteen centuries ago over
whelmed POmpef and Herculaneum.
Tidal Wave Follows Shock.
Reports show that the present
catastrophe embraces larger area
than the earthquake in 1906. The
tidal wave which followed the earth
shocks on the eastern coast of Sicily
sunk vessels and inundated the lower
part Of Caiania. II is known that
number of people were killed at that
place; but the rushing waters carried
everything before them and caused
such an indescribable confusion that
It will be impossible for some time to
estimate the damage and the lives
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The Italian government proceeded
energetically to relieve the widespread
distress concentrating at the points
Of greatest need troops and engineers.
Officials of the Red Cross were dis
patched to various places and camps
with provisions were Immediately pre-
pared all available railroad lines and
warships being used for their trans
pert.
The city Of Messina has suffered
probably more than any other place,
the information coming indirectly from
that quarter stating that two thirds
of the town was destroyed and several
thousand persons killed.
In Calabria, the region around
Monteleone was most affected The
village Of Stafanaconi the inhabitants
Of which number 1900 was practically
destroyed only five persons were
killed, but many were injured. Mgr,
MoraDito, the bishop of Mileto, who
distinguished himself in the earth
quake of 1906, did valiant work again
Monday He rushed into places where
the ruin was greatest and brought
aid and encouragement to all.
Thousands of people abandoned
their homes, although a terrific rain
storm prevailed and filed the air with
lamentations and prayers. In some
places such as Apizzo, Cotrone, Santa
Severina and Piscopio, people entered
the churches almost while the latter
were falling ana carried out the saints
They bore these in procession through
the open country. invoking the mercy
Of God. In the mountainous regions
inland the population has taken refuge
In grottoes 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 Abba alone 1900 people are home
less. Extraordinary scenes are report
ed at CataAia. Following a violent
earth shock at $50 a. m, the sea
rose in q tremendous wave which
wrecked many small b oats. 1t then
suddenly retired and returned ~
quickly causing further damage
and wreckage. Awakened By the
shock the inhabitants ned panic
stricken from their homes into the
streets and squares Professions were
organized and soon all the churches
were nllcd with weeping croWds Inn
plorlng Divine mercy.
Midnight reports state that Reggio
the capital OF the province Of Reggie
al Calabria, miles from Messiah on
the side OF the strait has met the same
fate as Messina, but these reports have
not been confirmed owing TO the lack
Of telegraphic facilities.
A very severe shock was felt At
Caltanissetta, a city Of Sicily. and al
though much damage was done, no
one was killed The shock created
great alarm and Notwithstanding the
downpour OF rain the whole popula-
ton remained IN the streets through