The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-31

1t is now estimated that 10000 people perished in Messina and Reggio alone A score Of other towns have been de- xastated and thousands of, victims in these places must be added to the roll In the face of these awful totals. Italy stands appalled,. Nor has the full death list yet been reported. Ship loads If fugitives have arrived at Naples and other ports and the vast majority are severely injured. other thousands re- main near the ruins Of their homes sr wander half starving, hall naked. over the land.
 The forces that on Monday over wheimed the cities also destroyed the means of sustenanee.
 Tslegraphic communication has been established with Messina. the appara- tus having been established in rail- way van. Mesaages which have come aovsr the iiney though they have been msagre in detaii. show that hops Is gone. Nothing remains of the city but mass of ruins. A handful of surviy- css are being cared for. but their dis tress aa great and increasing by the violent cold wind that followed the heavy rain. Destitution is everywhere and appalling. There isliittie food and less water,
 Of Massinas so.ooo people. 1t Is be- lievsd that fully 7o.oOO perished. Forty thousand people died in Reggio.
 The King and Queen were in Messina today. The King explored the ruins. fegardiesa of the danger to which he exposed himself. He was often moved to tears at the. nesrt-rending scenes he came upon at every tura. M
 rbs 41rnx vas lsua ia his praise Of the splendid work accomplished by tue Italian. Russian and English blus- jackets. whs saved many persons vhs otherwise would have parished.
 . The Queen spent the day in the wards of the hospitals. visiting the wounded. Her majesty did her best to cheer them with womanly words of consolation. of- ten breaking into sobs as she listened to their dreadful tales of suRefinE. Ths King left for Reggie tonight.
 Refugees in Caaansa.
 Catania, the largest city nearest to the zone of the disaster, is crowded with refugees and the continuous stream of fugitives coming in, the sight of the wounded and the repetition of real or imaginary earthquakes, have so alarmed the population that they are Becoming uncomfortable. There is no longer any place where the refugees may find shelter.
 Cardinal Francisco Maya of Bontff Archbishop of Catania, has employed all the money in his possession to provide for the fugitives. but the people of ca tania also are in great need as their tlrely interrupted.
 The government is finding difficulty n ascertaining the fate of the many Foreigners who were in the earthquake zone at the time of the catastrophe. 7 inquiries concerning whom are com-
  The commander of thes battIeshfp Admiral Makahroff. which arrived with fugitives at Naples today confirms the report of the death of the American consul at Messlna, Arthur s. Cheney and his wife. who were buried in the ruins of the consulate.
 The number of Americans in Sicily and Southern Italy is believed to be small Several of tiTem are reported to have been staying at TaormTna which is on tfse east coast about thirty mile southwest of Messfna. Accordtno . ed no harm from the earthquake
 The Minister of War in dfspatching orders to the military authorities who practically have absolutely taken over the power. explained:
 s'Thfs disaster has resulted in a greater loss of life than any of our wars for independence Indeed the situation is much worse, as while war is always preceded by a period of preparation, this has happened within forty seconds. While war only affects the young and strong among the people, the present calamity has now ed down women and children, old men and youths. While In war the armies ara followed by the most complete camp hospitals. the numberIess wound ; ed in calabria and eastern Sicily have been left in many cases without as- distance. Even when rescued it is im- possible to house them. everything available having been filled by the dead. Lack of care and starvation will complete the work that the forces of nature has left undone."
 Sympathy of Powers. =.
 All the sovereigns and the heads Of states Of the4foFeign governments have s. sent expressions of warmest sympathy and deepest coincidence. Frances message was especially warm and she is despatching five warshlps from Toulon to Messina. which Is hailed us a token of love from sister race.
 The Minister of Marine tonight re- ceived word that the steamships Taro- nina and campania laden with 45000 beds and 8 large supply of provisions had left Genoa bound for Messina. other steamers also beuntifully stock ed are on their way to the stricken cities from various ports.
 The despatches from the stricken zone say that a large army would be required to cope with even the pressing needs of the unfortunate people who are roaming about half clad and stary- ing. some of them dragging articles