The Washington times., 1908-12-29

ROME, Dec. 29.-Italy is a na-
ton paralyzed.
With evening newspapers claim
ing 5000 dad and semi-oficial
government estimates from enough
districts TO make It practically Ger
tain that the total dead cannot he
less than $4,000, with possibly as
many more facing death from in
jurieS and exposure, the true awful
ness Of yesterdays disaster is being
revealed.
MOUNT AETNA ACTIVE.
To add, If possible, to the misery
Of an already teTOr-numbed people.
Mt Aetna is today emitting giant
clouds of black Sulphurous smoke
and waking the echoes of the
Siciiian mountains with its detona-
ton and rumblings, while a torrent
OF rain, driven before a biting north
wind, has intensified a hundred fold
the anguish of thousands of half
clad proYiSionless refugees.
TelegTaphiC communication has
been completely restored as far as
Palmi, and II is to this point that re-
ports are coming by couriers. YES
SelS, and Isolated bits of telegraphic
wire.
Il is feared that the American con-
sui at MeSSina has periShed.
DETAILED REPORTS.
A fsV Of these reports follow:
NIESSiNA-Shaken by quake and
swept by tidal wave. 1900 OF popu-
lation Of more than 100000 reported
dead
REGGIO-Entire city reported de-
stroyed. 50 per cent or population Of
$4,000 either killed or wounded. Death
list reported upward Of I.3yC
CATINA-Death list here light
probably not reaching 100. bat activity
OF Mt Aetna has terrorized peasants
and officials are unable 10 drive them
from oonSested churches where fataIi-
ties would terrible in event Of another
shock
PALMI-Entire city wrecked and
more than 500 Of the 10000 inhabi-
tants killed.
Troops Rush In
Troops are being rushed into the
stricken districts from e--ery quarter.
and King Victor Emmanuel is on fis
way south 20 take personal charge OF
the work Of rescue
No word has vet been heard Of the
feet Of ten torpedo-boats. known 10
have been Of AIessina, and it is feared
that all Of them went to the bottom.
In addition to the Italian flying squad
ron, consisting OF the vittario Emman-
uele, Regina Elena, and the Napoho,
which IS expected or Messina tonight.
two French battleships and three tor
rcjO-boats Of the Mediterranean squad
ron, are speeding to the scena- Late
his afternoon, the British battIeship
Exmouth and cruisers Euryelus. Min
erva. ard Sutlej were ordered TO Mes
sina from the Malta station
The 5eauuful city Of Messina. on tie
eastern coast Of Sicily, and the imme-
oiately surrounding country. appear 10
have been the most sOrely stricken.
With a population Of I5o000 and con-
tanning many Of the most notable struo-
lures in Sicily, MessIna's fate is told in
two brief words. "BlOtted OUT
A victim Of the combined wrath of the
earth and sea ana fire, practically
nothing IS left OF what was the second
city in the island. The official figures
of the dead in Aessina were early placed
at 1880, but il was soon seen that this
estimate was far too low and the fig-
ures gradually crept up until they in
dicated I2.0oO dead in this city alone.
vitb(Ihe dreadful fear that even mis-
estimate viii be overtOpped-
Is Repetition.
What happened in Messina took place
on a smaller scale at Reggie. eight miles
south and Immediately across the strait
of Messina on the Italian mainland.
And what happened al Reggie hap
pened In scores OF other towns Oa a
effr1 er,aTTar scale