Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-11
DEATH FOR The LOOTERS
Commandant at Messina Issues Strin-
gent Orders to Troops.
AMERICAN SUPPLY SHIPS ARRIVE
One Comes from Naples and Another
from the BattIeship Fleet
Both Garry Clothing and
Provisions.

MESSINA, Jan. 10-Balmy weather has
prevailed for the last two or three days
at this place, and 1t is a great blessing,
making it possible for the troops and sur
vivors of the earthqVsl's to live more or
less comfortably IN tite open. Occasionally
there are earth shocks, but the people have
become accustomed to them, Two severe
shocks on Friday brought down many
broken walls in Messina.
Mazza has adopted stringent measures to
protect the people and property. In addi
ton to establishing police service around
the city he has issued orders that any per-
son found excavating without a permit
shall be shot. General Mazza, whose COM
mand extends to both sides of the straits,
said some semblance of order was at last
being re-established. The work is now sys-
tematized and the situation. he believed, is
we'll in hand.
"The question of the ultimate rebuilding
of Messina," he said, belongs to the poll
teal authorities; It does not concern me.
My principal energies will be concentrated
with those of the authorities at Reggie In
getting out the remainder of the wounded.
burying the dead and disinfectlng the ruins
in order to prevent the spread Of sickness"
General Mazza explained that the pTeven-
tion of looting entailed the most rigorous
measures. He declared that under the
guise of rescuers, many thieves were COM
mitting robbery on every hand. He was not
able to check this during the first wild con-
fusion but had succeeded better in the
last few days because of the issuance of
the following proclamation:
Fair warning TO LoOters.
Crimes against public and private prop
erty and acts of pillage which, notWlth-
standing the vigilance of the troops. un-
fortunately are perpetrated hy the worst
elements gathered here, induces me TO re-
mind the people that the state OF serge
now ordered subjects those found robbinS
or carrying off objects from the debris
without authority the gravest penalties pro-
vided by the military code, including death
by shooting.
General Mazza stated further during the
course of the interview, which he gave just
prior to leaving for Reggie, that the ef-
! forts of the authorities to clear Messina OF
refugees and peasants who were swarming
| in from the interior did not mean that the
/ CITY was 20 be completely evacuated or
| isolated, unless sickness compelled this.
For a time no permits were issued for the
right to excavate for property, but today
! this suspension was removed and 300 per-
mits were issued, but under the stricteSt
safeguards Owners are required to de-
scribe the property they expect to find ana
all Valuables not thus described are held oy
the authorities until ownership is proved
| Sanitary conditions have been greatly I'M
nroved and it is now believed that there Is
little danger of the spread of disease dis
infectants having been used abundantly In
the great number of deaths however. II Is
impossible TO say how many resulted from
injury or were due to various diseases
| The American relief ship Bayern, flying
the Red Cross flag. arrived Friday. A
small amount Of clothing was sent to the
American consulate and the remainder OF
the stores are being distributed to the vari-
Gus ports along the south coast. One of the
relief party on the Bayern was injured
during the voyage. One of his ribs is frac-
tured.
Ambassador Griscom remained on the
ship until Saturday. when he returned tc
Naples.
The United States supply ship Culgoa
which arrived from Port Said on Friday
carried 1SO tons of provisions, including
5000 pounds of coffee. The vessel was wei
stocked with blankets and wearing apparel
After a conference between Commander
Patton OF the Culgoa, Commander Logan o.
the Scorpion. Major Lands. military at
tache. and the Italian admiral. the stores
OF the Culgoa were sent ashore and wer,
distributed from this point.
Many OF the women refugees have beer
SET 20 work making liniments. even thOs
who are suffering from injuries helping IL
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