Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-02
RESCUE WORK PROCEEDING.
Heavy Rain at Messina Increases Suf-
fering Of Injured.

Catania, Jan. 1.-The rescue work at
Messna is proceeding today with un-
abated energy but the conditions are
most difficult The STREETS are - en-
numbered with wreckage that the
movements of the rescuers are very
slow and the area to be gone over so
vast that much time must elapse before
all the crevasses, holes, cellars and
heaps Of ruins can be examined.
heavy rain continues to fall at
Messina and it increases the suffering
of the injured and fnakes more difficult
tine work OF MScue. But it is quench-
ing the fires. and having a slightly
purifying effect on the air.
The distribution of food has been or
ganized Bakeries Nave been opened
and slaughter houses established and
it is hoped that by nightfall, or at the
latest tomorrow morning, no one need
be without bread.
The road between here and Messina
is filled with refugees. There are
crowds Of them at every station of the
railroad and they are pouring into the
main highways from outlying villages,
hamlets and huts. Some OF them stag
precious possessions; others are driv-
ing before them a donkey or a COW
weighed down by the household goods
on it's back while still others are ac-
companied by a sheep or few goats,
or perhaps a faithful dog. But vast
majority of the survivors have saved
nothing All their possessions are on
their backs in the shape of tattered
clothing and in many cases even these
garments only partially cover their
owners The survivors, one and all
tell awful tales of death and destruc-
ton. They say that there are undoubt-
eddy still living people trapped in the
ruins OF the smaller villages that have
not been carefully searched, that others
are straying along the beach and that
still others are high up in the noun
tains. Many people fed to the high
land to escape the waters.
More than four days have now elaps-
ed since the first shock, and it is hard
to believe that there are still living
souls in the wreckage. Death would
be preferable to their agony and suf-
fering.
While nothing yet is definitely known
concerning the Americans supposed to
have been in Messina at the time OF
the earthquake, it was learned today
that party of 20 English speaking
persons. which may have included some
Americans made their escape. crossing
large tract of country, which was not
harmed by the shoks. in the direction
OF Palermo.
Soldiers have been called from the
rescue work at Messina to quell dis
turbances in the surrounding villages
where the survivors were in state
of riot because assistance had not been
given them. They could not under
stand the difficulty. indeed, the impos-
sibility, of succoring all Immediately
and providing the needy thousands
with food and shelter. On the arrival
of the soldiers. however, the disturb
ances soon ended, the peasants being
speedily subdued.
The doctors OF the Russian and Brit
ish squadrons have joined together in
installing hospital at the trollet sta
ton and another at the maratime po-
lice station. Both are full to overflow
ing. The seriously wounded have been
taken aboard the ships. Several Rus
sian soldiers have been killed during
the rescue work by falling walls.