The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-31
new HORRORS.
Starvation and PeStilence
Threaten Survivors
Lett by Earthquake, Fire and
Water in Sicily.
IN PALM CEMETERY
We're Buried 1900 Bodies in
One Day.
Whole Regiment of Soldiers Re-
ported Drowned.
IN PALMI CEMETERY

spectacle of death caused by Mondays
earthquake has now been added the
horror of starvation and the fear of
a spread of pestilence. In the ruins
of Messina, Reggie and various towns
in Sicily and Calabria lie the bodies
of the dead which it has been impos-
sible to extricate. while everywhere
thousands of hungry and homeless
persons throng the Uttered thorough
fares. Words are inadequate to ex-
press the horror of the ruin and
desolation that has overwhelmed
Calabria and Sicily, where the earth s
trembling and fire and water have
combined to change the smiling
Verdant country into deserts. Messina
exists no longer. and at least 80 years
VIII be necessary to repair the ruin
that natures violences have wrought
there As yet it has been found i'm
possible to obtain any news of the fate
of the little villages along the coast.
many of which it is believed have
been entirely wiped out
In many cases entire buildings have
been swept out to sea and no trace of
them remains. Flourishing villages
have been wiped out of existence In
some of the smaller towns such as
Palmi near Monteleone. the sudden
ness and the completeness of the
catastrophe was overwhelming. of
the : 900 people living in Palmi. only
few score are still alive today.
Yesterday 1900 corpses We're buried
in the cemetery there. Survivors of
Palmi, reinforced by rescuers from
other points and under the lead of
soldiers and doctors are performing
prOdigieS of Valor. Many of them
have been overcome by the awful con-
ditions under which they are work
Ing. The bishop of Morabito and
priests with touching devotion and
courage have done much to preserve
order by the example of calmness and
self denial they have given the people.
They are busy carrying com fort and
consolation to the dying and the
bereaved.
The first of the survivors of Reggie
20 reach Catanzaro were so broken
down by the shock of their experiences
that it was almost Impossible for them
TO give any connected account of the
obstruction OF the city. They speak dis
connectedly of whole districts swept
away in moment. and entire families
annihilated. Reggie remains isolated in
ghOstly desolation. The railroads and
the footpaths throughout the surround
ing country have been utterly destroyed
while the survivors lack food, water and
medical supplies.
The visit of the king and queen of
Italy to Messina and Reggie has arous-
ed widespread enthusiasm.
In spite of the universal mourning
and distress the sOvereigns were saluted
when they disembarked by the firing of
guns from the Italian and foreign war
party set foot on shore they were greet
ed with scenes of indescribabIe woe His
majesty spoke highly in praise of the
Italian soldiers and the sailors from the
foreign warships for their heroic work
of rescue. He shook hands with several
officers, saying it was his desire to be
informed of every detail of their splend-
id work Accompanied by Ministers
Orlando and BertoHni, he visited both
MeSsina and Reggie, spending several
hours at each place. He visited per-
sonally every quarter of these cities.
giving words of encouragement, praise
and consolation.
Her majesty, the queen, talked with
the wounded on board the ships in the
harbOr. comforted the women, spoke
kindly to the children and promised as
sistance. Everywhere the visit of the
Sovereigns has impaired fresh impetus
to the work of rescue.
General Marazzi has divided the mil
itary forces working in Calabria pro-
vince into two bodies. One is working
on the Tyrrhenian coast and the other
on the Ionian shore and they are con-
verging on Reggie. The troops are dis
tributing ratiOns to the starving people
to the utmost limit of their resources.
The waters of the strait of Messina
are covered with the floating bodies of
wreckage. The shores of the strait
have become completely transformed in
appearance. The light houses on the
headland have disappeared.
Whole Regiment Drowned.
Reggie, Dec. 31.-There is reason to
believe that an entire regiment of in
fantry was drowned by tidal wave at
Palmi Three hundred of the soldiers
bodies have already been recovered.
Burning the Bodies.
Reggie. Calabria, Dec 31-As a !
precautionary measure against an Il
outbreak Of pestilence the bodies of
persons killed in the earthquake are
being burned. and strong disinfec-
tants are being strewn among the
ruins of the city.
The troops have set up field kit
chens and are baking bread in the
streets Strong guards have been
placed over clothing and provision |
stores in order to prevent their be-
ing pi1laged-
barked on board the battleship Napoli |
and others have been sent home.
Experience of Survivor.
Rome, Dec. Skiing Victor EN-
manuel, who left Messina last night |
with Queen Helena, arrived early this |
morning at Reggie and after visiting |
the town in company with the queen |
re-embarked on warship and sent
the following wireless telegram to |
Premier GioHtti:
Il return from Reggie, which |
found in a condition no less disas- |
trous than that at Messina. The pre- |
feet of Reggie says that grave injury |
has been done to the communities of
his province
wounded on board will arrive at
Naples this morning and everything |
must be prepared for their landing |
and housing. Another Russian ship. |
viii carry wounded to Syracuse. 1t !