Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-02
RELIEF BEGINS
TO ARRIVE FOR
NEEDY ITALIANS
MANY AIDED, BUT THOUSANDS
STILL STARVING
TROOPS ESTABLISH SEMBLANCE
OF ORDER AT MESSINA
Many Cities of United States Raise
Large Sums-Graphic Tales Una
fold Details of Awful
CatacIysm

n ONE, Jan. Although graphic
h. stories are coming into Rome of
n the horrors in Southern Italy and
Sicily, these are but repetitions of in
dividual tragedies already recorded.
What chiefly concerns the govern
ment and the people is the progress
that is being made toward the relief of
those who have suffered by the dread
visitation.
Considerable advance in this respect
has been made at Messina, where, ac-
cording to official reports received here,
the supply service is beginning to work
satisfactorily.
The different regions of the coast
have been allotted to various WarShipS
and other ships as centerS from which
torpedo boats and launches may dis
tribute rationS and water to the differ
ent villages.
The minister of justice has tele-
graphed from Essina to Premier Giolitti
that large bodies of troops have ar
rived and are now occupying all parts
of the town.
The appalling extent of the disaster
renders anything like a systematic
search of the ruins impossible, but per-
sons are being dragged out continually
and are being transported to the relief
ships as soon as their wounds receive
attention.
More Earthquakes Felt
Slight shocks were felt in the earth
quake zone today, completing the
ruin of the crumbling buildings.
These shocks keep up the alarm of
the population.
One severe shock was felt at 8 o'clock
in the morning and another at o'clock.
Fires are still burning, although much
rain has fallen.
The latest Investigations on both
sides of the straits make it certain that
many more than half the population
of the coast towns and villages have
been killed.
Professor Ricco, director of the OBJ
servatory at Mount Etna, estimates
that the victims of the earthquake
exceed 100000.
Hundreds of dangerous criminals
have been arrested by the troops ana
are under close guard.
Great relief was felt here when the
announcement was. made that the Lii
part islands, which were reported to
have disappeared with their population
of $4,000, suffered little or no damage
from the earthquake.
Public opinion is greatly concerned
with regard to the safety of the king
from tOttering walls.
The king frequently has tried to per-
suade the queen to rest, or to return
to Rome, but she always has refused,
declaring it would break her heart to
abandon her husband.
New Years Lay a Sad One
New Years day in Italy is usually a
Gay Of rejoicing as widespread as on
Christmas.
Imposing ceremonies are celebrated
in the churches. But these ceremonies
and the festal spirit are wanting to-
day. Instead there were lamentations
The flags waved at half mast and
the bells of thousand churches ring
not for the te deum, but toll sad
knells for requiem masses.
King Victor Emmanuel has been in
defatigable. He has shown wonderful
activity and endurance, leaving no
point in Messina unvisited.
He has supervised the entire work
in the fallen city and his presence has
infused new courage and venergy into
the rescuers.
Often he is surrounded by a crowd
of victims who, as though the sight of
the king had restored their strength
enthusiastically shout, eve have a
king, we have a protector
touching feature of the material
aid offered by all classes of people in
Rome is the donation of clothing and
bedding.
Reports from all parts of Italy indi-
cate the same generous spirit. The
king has placed the royal palaces at
Naples and Caseta at the disposal of
the injured
Princess Yolande, the 7-year-old
daughter of the king, having had the
reason for her parents absence ex-
planned to her. carried about a contri-
button box among her little friends at
o1~trv ~rixv 50
rinal this afternoon.
Donates Her Gold Ring
She herself put into the box her first
tiny gold ring, which was given her on
Christmas by her grandmother, Dow
ager Queen Margherita.
Her young sister, Princess Mafalda,
gave a gold chain, while Prince Um-
berto, the heir apparent, 4 years old,
contributed a 9headless doll.
Vessels loaded with refugees continue
TO stream into Naples and Palermo.
The big emigrant steamer Nord
Amerika arrived at Messina today. She
can accommodate 1900 persons, and
four other vessels which are following
her will be able to take off altogether
5000 or more.
1t is the governments intention to
remove all the survivors possible to the
various italian ports. AS an instance
of his grasp of the situation, the king
soon after his arrival at Messina tele-
graphed Premier Giolitti:
Send ships and men; above all, send
ships loaded with quicklime'
So far as has been possible quick
lime has been used on thee dead; many
bodies have been burned and others
buried.
Men Are Untiring
In the relief work the officers and
men of the foreign warships have been
untiring, and their courage is beyond
words.
The crew of the British cruiser Drake
gave up everything they possessed for
the benefit of the refugees, and prac-
tically forgot rest and sleep for more
than thirtysiX hours in their devotion
to duty.
Reports are published that it is the
kings intention to sell his property in
Sicily and devote the proceeds to the
assistance of the sufferers.
It is also stated that the pope will
suppress the dioceses of Messina and
Continued on Page Two)