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

Rome, December sO.-rhe immensity of
the disaster in Southern Italy and Sicily
can only be measured by the fact that 1t
Is now estimated that 1lv,0O0 people per-
ished in Messina and Reggie alone. A
score of other towns have been de-
vastated and thousands of victims in
these places must be added to the roll. In
face of these awful totals, Italy stands
appalled,. Nor has the full death list
yet been reported. Ship loads of fugi-
tiyes have arrived at Naples and other
ports, and the vast majority OF these
are severely injured. Other thousands re-
main near the ruins of their homes or
wander half-starving, half-naked, over
the land. The forces that on Monday
overwhelmed the cities also destroyed the
means of sustenance. Telegraphic com
munication has been established with
Messina, the apparatus having been es-
tablished in a railway van. Messages
which have come over the line, though
they have been meagre in detail snow
that hope is gone. Nothing remains OF
the city but mass of ruins that nave
survivors are being cared for by the
rescuing forces but their distress is great
and 1t has been increased by the violent
cold wind that followed the heavy rain.
Destitution is everywhere and appalling.
There is little food and less water of
Messina's $4,000 population 1t is belleved
that fully 10000 perished. Forty thous-
and people died in Reggie.
King and Queen In Messina.
The King and Queen were in Messina
today. The King explored the ruins re-
gardless of the danger to which ne ex-
nosed himself. He was often moved to
tears at the heartrending scenes he came
mon at every turn The King was loud
In his praise of the splendid work ac-
complished by the Italian, Russian and
English bluejackets who saved many per-
sons who otherwise would have perished
The Queen spent the day in the wards
of the hospitals, visiting the wounded,
many of whom have lost all that was dear
10 them. Her majesty did her best to
cheer them with womanly words of con-
ISOLATION, often breaking into sobs as she
listened to their dreadful tales of suffer
ing. The King left for Reggie tonight.
Catania, the largest city nearest to the
zone of the disaster, is crowded with ref
ugees and the continuous stream of fugi-
tives coming in, the sight of the wounded
and repetition of real or imaginary earth
ouakes have so alarmed the population
that they are becoming uncomfortable.
There is no longer any place where the
refugees may find shelter. Cardinal
Francica Nava di Bontife, archbishop of
Catania, has employed all the money in
his possession to provide food for the
fugitives. but the people of Catania also
are in great need as the ordinary business
pursuits have been entirely interrupted.
Fate of Foreigners.
The government is finding difficulty in
ascertaining the fate of the many for
eigners who were in the earthquake zone
at the time of the catastrophe, inquiries
concerning whom are coming from all
parts of the world. The commander Of
the battleship Admiral Makharoff, which
arrived with fugltives 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 num-
ber 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 on the east
coast about 80 miles southwest of Mes
~iua. According to the latest report, this