New-York tribune., 1908-12-31
GREAT NUMBERS PERlSHlNG FOR LACK OF AID

Rome Dec 30-The immensity of the disaster
in Southern Italy and Sicily can be measured
on1v bv the fact that IT is now estimated that
10000 persons perished in Messina and Reggie
alone A score of other towns have been dew
astated and thousands Of victims in these places
must be added to the roll. In the face Of this
awful tota, italy stands appalled, The Minister
of Marines estimate of the victims OF earth
quake and tidal wave in Calabria and Sicily is
$4,000
The fulF death list has not yet been reached
ShipIoads Of fugitives have arrived at Naples
and other ports and the vast majority of these
are sorely injured. Other thousands remain
near the ruins Of their homes, wander half
starving. half naked. over the land. The forces
which on Monday overwhelmed cities also de-
stroyed the means of subsistence
TeIegrap aphic communication has been estah-
Iished with Messina. the apparatus having been
installed in a railway van Messages which
have come over the line. though they have been
meagre in detail, show that there hope is gone
Nothing remains of the city except a mass OF
ruins which have been swept by fire mere
handful of survivors are being cared for by the
rescuing forces but their distress is great and
it has been increased by the strong icy wind
which followed the deluge Of rain. Appalling
destitution is everywhere. There is little food
and less water. OF Messina's 10000 population
il is believed that fully 10000 perished. Forty
thousand persons died in Reggie.
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Elena were
in Messina to-day The King explored the
ruins. regardless Of the danger to which he ex-
posed himself He was often moved to tears at
the heartrending scenes which met him at every
turn. The King was loud in his praise OF the
splendid work accomplished by the Italian. Rus
sian and English bluejackets. who saved many
who otherwise would have perished- The Queen
spent the day in the wards Of improvised hos
nitaIs visiting the wounded many of whom have
lost all that was dear TO them, Her majesty did
her best to cheer them with womanly words Of
consolation. after breaking into sobs as she
listened TO their dreadful tales of suffering. The
King left Messina for Reggie tonight
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 repetition of real
or imaginary earth shocks have alarmed the
population that it is becoming uncontrollable
There is no longer place there where the refu-
gees may find shelter. Cardinal Francca-Nava
di Bontife Archbishop of Catania, has employed
all the money in his possession TO provide bread
for the fugitives but the people of Catania also
are in great need, as ordinary business pursuits
have been entirely interrupted.
The government is finding difficulty in ascer-
tanning the fate of the many foreigners who
were in the earthquake zone at the time of the
catastrophe inquiries concerning whom are
coming from all quarters of the globe. The
commander Of the battleship Admiral Makaroff.
which arrived with fugitives at Naples to-day.
confirms the report of the death OF the Ameri-
can Consul at Messina. 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. and
several of them are reported to have been stay
ing at Taormina which IS the east coast
about thirty miles southwest of Messina. Ac-
cording to the latest reports this place suffered
no harm from the earthquake.
The Minister of War in dispatching orders to
the military authorities. who have practically
taken absolute power throughout the zone of the
earthquake. said:
This disaster has resulted in greater loss
of life than any OF our wars for independence.
Indeed. the situation is much worse. as. while
war always is preceded by period OF prepara-
ton this has happened within forty seconds.
While war affects only the young and strong
among the people. the present calamity has
moved down women and children. old men and
Youths While in war the armies are followed
by the most complete camp hospitals, the mum
berIess wounded in Calabria and Eastern Sicily
have been left in many cases forty -eight hours
without assistance. Even when rescued. il is
impossible to house them, everything availa BILE
having been flled by the dead. Lack of care
and starvation viii complete the work that the
forces of nature have left undone"
AL! the sovereigns and the heads OF states OF
the foreign governments have sent expressions
of warnest sympathy and deepest condolences
Frances message was especially warm. and she
has sent nve varships from Toulon TO Messina.