Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-31

of the catastrophe, inquiries concern
ing whom are coming from all quar-
tiers.
consuTs Fate Confirmed
Admiral Makharoff, Russian COM
mander of the battleship which arrived
with the fugitives at Naples today,
confirms the report of the death of the
American consul at Messina. Arthur S.
Cheney, and his wife, who were buried
in the ruins of the consulate.
The number of Americans in Italy
and Southern Sicily is believed to be
small, and several of them are report
ed to be staying at Tormini, which Is
on the east coast, about thirty miles
southwest Of Messina.
According to the latest reports the
place suffered no harm from the earth
quake.
The minister of war is dispatching
orders to the military authorities who
have practically taken over the abso-
Lutte power throughout the zone OF the
earthquake, explaining:
"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
is always preceded by a period of prep
aration, this has happened within forty
seconds.
while war only affects the young
and strong among the people, the polit-
ica.l calamity has moved down women
and children, old men and youths.
Long Without Aid
while in war the armies are fol-
lowed by the most complete camp
hospitals, the numberless wounded in
Calabria and Eastern Sicily have been
left in many cases forty-eight hours
without assistance.
Even when rescued it is impossible
to house them, everything available
having been filed by the dead. Lack
of care and starvation will complete
the work that the forces of nature have
left undone."
All the heads of foreign states have
sent expressions of warmest sympathy
and deepest coincidence.
The message of France was especial
ly warm, and she is dispatching five
Warships from Toulon to Messina. This
is hailed as a token of love from sis
ter race.
The minister of marine today re-
oeived word that the steamships Taor-
nina and Campania, laden with $4,000
beds and a large supply of provisions,
has left Genoa bound for Messina.
Other steamers, also bound fully
stocked, are on their way to the
stricken cities from various ports.
The rescue parties, military, naval
and civil, OF different nationalities are
performing prodigies, but the task be-
fore them is almost hopeless.
Added to the difficulty of obtaining
food and water, there are no drugs or
surgical appliances.
improVise Hospitals
Temporary hospitals are being rugged
up, but comparatively only few can
defy description.
The survivors of the earthquake are
suffering cruel extremities, and In Mes
sina they may be be seen everywhere
vainly searching in the dust and debris
for morsels of food.
The dispatches state that the city of
Palmi contains 1900 dead and twice as
many injured.
Two-thirds of the town was laid
waste All the villages adjacent are
damaged severely.
The king has telegraphed Premier
Giolette informing him that Reggie is
In the same awful condition as Messina
and announcing that Russian steamer
with 500 injured will arrive at Naples
tomorrow.
His majesty asks that all prepara-
lions be made for their reception at the
hospitals and requests that the ship be
sent back with all the doctors that can
be mustered.
Dispatches from Catania describe
Messina as appearing like huge in
candescent furnace.
The fire spread to the buildings that
had not yet fallen, completing the work
Of destruction.
Strait choked with corpses
The Strait Of Messina is now cholred
with the corpses of men and animals.
At the present time there are twelve
warships at Messinay-four Italian, four
British and four Russian-as we'll as a
number Of destroyers and steamers.