Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-01-01
Aftermath Of Earthquake.

ministry of marine from the commander
Of the torpedo boat sent 10 the islands to
investigate yesterdays startling rumors
that the islands had sunk into the sea.
The commander says that the only dam
age sustained by the islands Is the crack.
ing OF most of the buildings. 1t is be-
lieyed there we're few if any ofthe deaths
on the islands.
Msssiua, it is now conceded, will
never be rebuilt into the prosperous city
of $50, 900 that it was before the ele-
ments destroy it and q large item in
Italy's foreign trade will be lost as con-
sequence.
Pslmi, Bsguara, Reggie aud other of
the destroyed cities also played an I'm
portant part in Italy's commercial life, 8
part that DO other section of Italy can as
assume, at least for many years.
The rural districts in the sffected
region have suffered almost as much as
the cities. These districts we're the
richest of all Italy. Reports today say
that enormous stretches of the richest
farm country have been transformed
into q wilderness. Great assures seam
the land, water courses have been
changed, oyeraowiDg hitherto dry lands
aud making swamps of what we're form
erly the garden spots Of Oslabria and
Sicily. In other places springs and
streams have appeared.
The net loss in commercial aud ag-
ricultural way will work permanent
and severe loss to Italy's material pres
tige.
The American embassy sent official
Representatives to Messins to get news
concerning the scores of tourists reported
missing. Inquiries. have been sent to
officials on the scene but they have been
so rushed with work Of greater urgency
that the inquiries have been unanswered.
The embassy holds out 70 hope for
the safety of those who have not been
heard from.
Rome, Jan. l The resere measures
now in operation in Messins AID E.eggio
are proving wholly inadequate TO meet
the terrible demands made upon them.
Reports from both these places today
say that every time food was offered to
the hunger crszed survivors, soldiers had
to stand guard to keep the people from
killing each other in their mad scramble.
At Reggie two of the soldiers who we're
guarding some Scaut supplies, landed
from a AMP, we're killed 10 the hysteri-
cal rush for the stock of provisions.
Women carrying emaclsted children
Joined 10 the fight aud a number Of per
sons were injured before the mob could
be driven back.
Scores Ct suicides among the crazed
unfortunates are reported today. Cana
tia sends word that several of the sur
vivorG who reached that city committed
suicide shortly after arriving.
Both the king and queen have donned
coarse working clothes aud are entering
the ruins frequently at the head Of the
rescung party. The king has had but
few hours sleep since he arrived on the
scene and is worn down by bis harrow
ing experiences. The king left Messins
today and returned to Reggie which is
The most desolste spot in the entire zone
Of disaster. He personally superinteuded
the gathering OF medical supplies for the
few suffering survivors along the yes
coast OF Oalabris.
Minister of Public Works Bartolini,
who is accompanying the king, tets-
grsphed today that there are 5000
people in the most AFFECT condition and
that the world must respond to the ap-
peals for aid more generously than to
date or thousands more will be added to
the already appalling death list.
Estimates of the dead are still con-
aicting. The ministry Of marine is TO-
clined to think that its estimate OF yes
t.rdsy of 1000 will not have to be
raised, unless the report of the destruc-
ton of the Lipsri Isles Is confirmed.
The Marquis di Ruvolito puts the
number a: 300,0 but he is alone in
this estimate.
CatsDis, Jan 1.-Geu. Marrazzi, who
is heading a rescue party that is attempt
ing to reach Reggie by land, reports that
after "a hours he had been unable TO get
to the stricken city.
All bridges are down, roads are oblit-
Grated, the topography of the land
changed and in many places arms Of the
sea stretch inland. Forty ships are now
being used in carrying the refugees from
MeSsina and sixty Others are expected
today and tomorrow.
The shooting between soldiers and
hooters continued all through the night.
Scores of hooters and ghouls have been
slain bat their depredstiOns continue al
most unsbsted.
They brave any peril through their
lust for loot.
Most of the hooters, however, are the
starving local victims OF the catastrophe,
who are bent on obtaining food at any
cost, even to the killing of those who
would hold them in check.
A pack OF hungry wolves pulling down
a stag could not present more savage
picture.
Naples, Jan. Two priests who
reached here from SCills, by way of Mes
'ins, today declared that they we're the
only survivors at Scills out OF populs-
lion of 2, 500.
ga tidal wave engulfed Scille," one
Of the priests said, "snd we we're swept
put to ses. We escaped death by cling
ng to bits of wfecksge and were finally
picked up by small boat and taken to
Messins. The last we saw OF Scilla
we're the angry waves rolling over it.
1on't think any Others escaped. 1 don't
.hink there Is coast town in Oslabria
hat is not practically destroyed"
The priests statements agree with re.
ports that "Scilla has drooped into the |