Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-29

of the city, but took advantage of the
| light for their vandalism. The night in
Messina was one OF horror indeScribable-
| fire, robbery, dead and dying on every
| side, the city in the utmost confusion,
and the people panic-stricken and under
spell of terror.
Troops began to pour into Messina last
| night and this morning a number of
steamers arrived from. the peninsula with
soldiers on board Patrols We're at once or
ganized and efforts made to bring some
| order into the situation. Bands of citizens
were formed and helped heroically in the
| work of rescue. Many courageous acts
| were performed by soldiers and citizens
alike, and in some cases the rescuers
themselves lost their lives in trying to
help others. Toward morning several of
the worst fires had been extinguished,
the looting was under partial control and
comparative order had been established.
Everything possible is being done to sue
cor the wounded. but the relief measures
are still utterly inadequate, owing to the
immensely of the disaster.
Dead Lie in Heaps.
| The finest palaces, churches and theaters
of Messina are heaps of ruins. Countless
dead bodies are scattered through the
| wreckage, and their decomposition will
doubtless bring pestilence to add to the
horrors of the situation. The devastation
over the entire district was more or less
complete. No part of the province of
Reggie de Calabria escaped.
The disturbance was most severe along
the shores of the Straits of Messina, where
i<l of nd nru3n cit
ated. In more than one town the shocks
caused gas meters to explode, and disas-
| trous fires resulted. The flames helped
greatly to swell the death list.
The configuration OF the Straits of Mes
sina has been materially altered. The
tidal wave that completed the destructive
work of the earthquake was thirty-two
feet high.
Wireless telegraphy has been of the
greatest assistance in getting in reports
from the devastated regions and In help
ing the authorities to realize the extent
of the disaster and to send help to the
places where it was most urgently needed.
Ships Hurried to Messina.
A flying squadron of the Italian navy,
composed of the three best battleships.
had left for cruise on the Atlantic be-
fore the first news of the disaster came
to hand. Through the medium of wire
less telegraphy it was possible to reach
these vessels and order them to proceed
at full speed for Messina.
A British squadron that was at SYRIA
cuse has left for Messina, taking doctors
and supplies of medicines, etc, for the
succor of the wounded. There are also
several Russian ships at Syracuse.
1t is reported from Catania that the
Bishop of Nessna is buried under the
ruins of his residence. Signor Fulci, a
member of the chamber of deputies from
Messina together with the members of
his family, also Is reported dead The
Fuci family was one of the most promi-
| nent in Catania.
The dome of the cathedral at Catania
| collapsed. and other churches as well as
| the city hall threaten TO fall at any mo-
ment.
F.! The tidal wave sank numberless small
boats in the harbor of Catania.
At Riposto the tidal wave was thirty
five feet high. 1t swept in with appalling
power and lasted for forty-two seconds
Hundreds Under Ruins.
the Tribuna publishes an interview with
refugee who made his way into Monte
| leone i'm Calabria. This man says the
| entire countryside is crowded with vic
| tins of the desolation. Many hundreds
| of living persons are still beneath the
| ruins i'm Calabrian towns. but it is quite
| impossible to relieve them.
| At Riposto the tidal wave was terrific.
| AT first the sea receded for a great dis
| tance from the shore, and then it swept
forward with tremendous violence The
! water. advancing in huge wave. swept
| before it every house and building for a
thousand feet from the shore line The
waters rushed through the streets at
| Riposto to a depth of from ten to twenty
| feet.
| The government is sending troops with
| the utmost despatch by land and by sea
! to the scene of the disaster. -Four thou
sand men from the garrison at Rome al
| ready are on their way. Various steam
/ ship companies have placed vessels at the
| Continued ON Third Pasel