The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-31

| place suffered no harm from the earth
/ quake.
| The minister Of war in dispatching or
| ders to the military authorities who have
practically taken over the absolute power
| throughout the zone Of the earthquake,
explained:
Terrible Situation.
This disaster has resulted in a greater
loss of life than any of our wars for in
dependence Indeed, the situation is much
worse, as while war is always preceded
by period of preparation this has hap
pened within 40 seconds. While war only
affects 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 fol-
lowed by the most complete camp hos
pitals, the numberless wounded in Ca
labria and eastern Sicily have been left
in many cases IS hours without assist
ance. Even when rescued 1t is impos-
sible to house them, everything avail
able having been filled by the dead. Lack
of care and starvation will complete the
work that the forces of nature have left
undone."
All the sovereigns and the heads of
states of the foreign governments have
sent expressions of warmest sympathy
and deepest coincidence. Frances mes
patching five warships from Toulon to
Messina which is hailed as a token of
love from a sister race.
The minister of marine tonight received
word that the steamships Taromina and
Campania, laden with Al, 900 beds and a
large supply of provisions. had left Ge-
noa bound for Messna. Other steamers
also bountifully stocked are on their way
to the stricken cities from various ports.
Pressing Needs.
The dispatches from the stricken zone
say that large army would be required
to cope with even the pressing needs of
the unfortunate people who are roaming
about half-clad and starving, some of
them dragging articles of clothing from
the smouldering ruins to protect them
selves from the piercing winds. Terrible
suffering is inevitable before the much
needed relief stores can arrive.
The rescue parties, military, naval and
civil of different nationalities are per-
forming prodigies, but the task before
them is almost hopeless Added to the diff
ficulty of obtaining food and water there
are no drugs or surgical appliances Heart
breaking appeals for help are heard on
every side. Temporary hospitals are be-
ing rigged up but only a comparatively
few can he relieved and the scenes of
horror defy description. The survivors of
the earthquake are suffering cruel ex-
tremitfes and in Messna may be seen
everywhere vainly searching dust and
debris for morsels of food.
Late dispatches state that the city of
Palmi contains 1900 dead and twice as
many injured. Two-thirds of the town
was laid waste. All of the villages ada
cent suffered as severely.
The King has telegraphed Premier Gio-
lotti, informing him that Reggie is in
the same awful condition as Messna and
announcing that a Russian steamer with
500 injured will arrive at Naples tomor-
, row. His majesty asks that all prepara-
tions be made for their reception at the
hospitals and requests that the ship be
sent back with all the troops that can be
mustered.
Like Huge Furnace.
Dispatches from Catania describe Mes
sna as appearing like a huge furnace.
The fire spread to the buildings that had
not yet fallen, completing the work of
destruction The strait of Messina is now
choked with corpses Of men and animals.
AT the present time there are IL war
ships at Messina, four Italian four Brit
ish and four Russian, as well as a num-
Der of destroyers and steamers the latter
belonging to the italian general naviga-
ton company. The injured are being
carried aboard the steamers and will be
removed to Naples.
The relief work Is now we'll begun,
but hundreds of persons are wandering
about the ruins like madmen. They are
being given food and clothing as fast as
1t is possible.
General Marazzi, commandant at Catan-