The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1909-01-09

Rome, Jan. 2.-The immensely of
the disaster in Southern Italy and ST.
ely can be measured only by the fact
that it is now estimated that 10, 900
persons persisted in Messina and Reg
gio alone. A score of other towns
have been devastated and thousands of
victims in these places must be added
to the roll. In the face of these awful
totals all Italy stands appalled,. Nor
has the full death list yet been report
ed.
Shiploads of fugetives have arrived
at Naples and other ports and the vast
majority of these are sorely injured.
Other thousands remain near the ruins
of their homes or wander half starved,
half naked over the land. The forces
that on Monday overwhelmed the cities
also destroyed the means of sustenance.
Telegraphic communication has been
established with Messina, the appara-
tus having been set up in a railway
station. Messages that have come over
the line, though they have been meagre
in detail, show that hope is gone.
Nothing remains of the city but mass
of ruins that have been swept by fire.
A mere handful of survivors is being
cared for by the rescuing forces, but
their distress is great and it has been
increased by the recent icy wind that
followed the deluge of rain. Destitu-
ton is appalling. There is little food
and less water.
OF Messina's 80, 600 population, it is
believed that fully 10000 persisted.
Forty thousand people died in Reggie.
Catania, the largest city nearest the
scene of the disaster, is crowded with
refugees, and the continuous stream of
fugitives coming in, the sight of the
wounded and the repetition of real or
imaginary earthquakes have so alarm
ed the population that they are becom-
ing uncomfortable. There is no longer
any place where the refugees may find
shelter.
The government is finding difficulty
in ascertaining the fate of many for
eigners who were in the earthquake
zone at the time of the catastrophe, in
quiries concerning whom are coming
from all parts of the globe. The COM
mander of the Russian battleship, Ad-
miral Makharoff, which arrived with
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.
Late 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 destroyed.
The king has telegraphed Premier
Giolitti 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
preparations be made for their recep-
tion at the hospitals.
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.
The strait of Messina is now choked
with corpses of men and animal.
General Marazi, commandant at Ca.
tanzaro, has telegraphed to the gov.
eminent that he has tried vainly for
days to reach Reggie by land and sea.
The roads are impossible and the shore
has been so torn and twisted, as far as
he travelled in Calabria, that it was i'm.
possible to approach by water.