New-York tribune., 1909-01-01

thVcoast. What has become of the Inhabitants
Of these villages is not known. Those that were
left alive after the destruction Of their homes
doubtless Joined the great army of refugees
seeking safety. or have fallen by the wayside
The Calabrian coast for thirty miles has been
torn and twisted. From Bagnara to Reggie,
distance OF twenty-five miles, the line is half
demolished. Assistance has reached few OF
these places and they are practically without
supplies Of any kind At Bagnara surgical
operations are being performed with pruning
knives. but az Reggie even that is impossible
Bands Of thieves infest the country, and the
DESPAIR Of the unaided villages is complete
Hunger supplies the motive for scenes Of shock
ing violence. and piIlagers and robbers defy the
few surviving policemen and soldiers.
II has been impossible yet TO ascertain
whether there any Americans at the hotels
81 Messna. The Hotel de France collapsed az
the first shock and sixty guests were killed. II
IS asserted that none Of taese was American.
Only two walters escaped. as they were already
up and had the presence OF mind TO seek shell
ter from the falling walls under the staircase
Of the hotel The Continental Hotel was de-
stroyed. but it seems that no Americans were
stopping there Almost all the guests at the
Hotel Trinacria. including J. c. Martens. the
Swedish Consul are dead. Nothing has been
learned definitely as to the number Of Americans
IN that hotel. which was the leading one of the
<ity
The Foreign Office has completed arrange
ments for Iloyd g. Griscom, the American Am
bassador TO leave Naples tomorrow board
Italian steamer for Messna. MI. Griscom
will gather information regarding the fate OF
the Americans who supposed TO have been
In Calabrla and Sicily. The Ambassador will
take with him several consular officers, among
whom he will divide the work. AS soon as the
service of investigation is started the Amhas-
sador win return TO Rome.
Bayard.Cutting, jr.. the American Vice-Consul
a. Milan. will take charge Of the consular in
serests Messina- Winthrop Chandler. Of
Philadelphia Will accompany the Ambassador
to the south.
The American Embassy here has received a
great number of messages Of inquiry from the
United States concerning Americans believed
TO have been in the earthquake zone, but IT has
been found impossible to obtain any informa-
ton Even though they had escaped, American
visitors in that section Of Italy would find il
impossible TO communicate by telegraph with
their friends account OF interruptions 20 tele-
graph lines
In view Of the irnpossibility Of properly hous-
Sng and feeding the tens Of thousands who have
survived the disaster, the authorities have
agreed that the only course is 60 transport them
as quickly possible out Of the stricken terri
tory. Accordingly, il has been arranged that
Messina and various other ports for the purpose
Of taking of the refugees and distributing them
n the different cities Of Itsly.
King Victor Emmanuel to-day visited all the
wrecked villages along the Siciiian coast, every
where meeting scenes of desolation. Tomorrow
he will visit the villages and hamiets in Gala
hrfa which have been overwhelmed.
The King. who left Messna last night with
Queen Helena, arrived early this morning at
In
with the Queen re-embarked warship, and
cent the following wireless telegram 70 Premier
Giolitti:
I return from Reggie. which l found in
condition no less disastrous than that at Mes
sina- The prefect of Reggie says that gave
injury has been done TO the comrnunes OF his
a Russian warship with five hundred wounded
on board will arrive at Naples this morning ana
everything must be prepared for their Landing
and housing Another Russian ship will carry
wounded to Syracuse. II is desirable to provide
at Naples Russian ship with an abundance
of medical supplies
Messages from Messina say that what is most
needed now are the elementary necessaries-
water bread and light The streets at night
are in absolute darkness. and this is taken ad-
Vantage of by thieves and murderers who gather
about the banks and palaces for purposes of
robbers-. Coal oil lamps are called for urgently
The Pope has sent TO the bishops in the earth
quake zone $4,000 He is also sending special
envoys to report on the most urgent needs. His
holiness has suspended all audiences and solemn
masses will be said for the repose of the souls
of the victims the churches at Rome ct the
expense Of the Pope
No news yet has been received from any Of
the Americans thought 10 have been in the
devastated district. excepting the Right Rev.
David Sessuns Bishop Of New Orleans, and his
daughter Alice. who safe at home.