Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-02
ISLANDS OF LIPARI
UNINJURED BY QUAKE
AND NO LIVES LOST

ROME, Jan. 1.-The first cheerful
news since the devastation of Calabria
and eastern Sicily by the earthquake,
tidal wave and fire last Monday, was
received this morning by the minister
of marine.
A dispatch from the commander of
the torpedo boat sent post haste to
verify the report that the Lipari, or
Aeolian islands, had been engulfed and
all Of the population, some $4,000 peo-
pie, annihilated, brought the grateful
information that while the islands had
experienced the earthquake only a few
buildings had been demolished and
that no lives were lost.
Otherwise the story coming from the
south today is repetition of the
previous recitals of devastation, suffer-
ing, starvation and horror.
The king and queen of Italy continue
their pious pilgrimage along what was
once the beautiful and smiling eastern
coast of Sicily, but which today is a
desolated region strewn with unsepul-
chered dead, and where thousands are
dying in anguish amid the ruins of
their homes.
The duke of Aosta is also on the
scene devoting himself to the succor Of
his countrymen. The duke has visited
Palmi and all the surrounding villages.
This section, after Messina and Reggie,
suffered more heavily than any other.
The duke said to one Of the aides with
him:
"A Scourge from God"
"The catastrophe, indeed, is a
scourge from God. The time has come
when it is no longer possible to think
about those beneath the ruins. All
hope of saving any Of these unfortu-
mates after the four days that have
/ a aYcnd Iicaz
| necessity be abandoned. All our eff
forts must be devoted to caring for
the injured survivors
! In view of these conditions the gov
eminent has decided to concentrate its
energies to removing the injured to
points where they can receive proper
| attention.
sisted from the devastated territory
and it is hoped that in this way serious
epidemics can be averted.
| The colossal emigrant steamships
| that for years have been engaged in
| transporting the surplus population of
Calabria and Sicily to the four corners
of the world, but especially to the
United States, are today being en-
ployd in removing survivors and refu-
gees to places Of safety.
Messina and Reggie, the two typical
| southern cities of Italy, are today no
more.
The fury of land and sea has COM
| pleted their ruin, and what little re-
mains-heaps of shattered masonry
| covering countless dead bodies-is now
tc be covered with quick line to prevent
the outbreak of epidemic.
Thousands to Be Fed
| The system of gathering the surviv-
ors on board the huge emigrant steam
ers will solve one Of the most impor-
tant problems that confronts the au-
thorities-namely, that of feeding the
people.
1t is found impossible to set the ref
ugees on shore, and the land accommo-
dations are rapidly filling up with the
! injured. They can be fed on board
ship, for each vessel is provided with
thirty days rations for full passenger
| list, and this leeway will give time for
decision as to where the unfortunates
had best be landed.
This advantage of feeding, however,
applies only to the survivors of Reggie
and MeSSina. There are still scores of
smaller inland towns and villages
where it is impossible to send relief.
The conditions in these sections are
| indeed desperate. The survivors have
no shelter whatever, and no food the
| persistent rains make it impossible to
! kindIe fires, and the majority have but
! tattered rags for clothing.
! In the inland villages surrounding
Reggie that have been destroyed the
dead number 1000.
| Whenever it has been possible to get