The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-01

rs a telegram received by the state de-
psrtment this morning dated Rome.
Jan. !, from Ambassador Griscom: !
italian foreign office assures me
that Taormina escaped uninjured.
This answers many inquiries received
from American citizens as to relatives
and friends in that place. The foreign
office has received telegram saying
that there is no official news in regard
to our consulate at Messlna."
ROME, Jan. During the pande-
monium incident 10 the earthquake in
Sicily il was stated that the Aeolian
islands had sunk from View with 28,-
900 persons. A torpedo boat was dis
patched and has sent the joyfui news
that the Aeolian Islands and it's in
hsbitants are safe. A strong earth
quake was felt through the islands,
but there was no fatalities.
There have been AZ distinct shocks
since the first quake Of Monday, which
laid southern italy in waste, and tho
never will be known.
The Marquis 81 Ruvolto says $780,
600 persons have persisted, while other
estimates run above 100000.
The area in Sicily and Calabria,
which is now vast graveyard, may
become a desert uninhabited by man
The entire sea front of Reggie has
been swept away and the ruined city
is slowly sinking into the sea The
whole town was inundated by tidal
wave.
King Victor Emmanuel is at Reggie
and has taken personal charge OF the
rescue work.
Mobs OF rufians have pillaged the
ruins and robbed the dead. aud the
king has ordered that they be sum-
marily shot.
Many OF the survivors, wounded, are
lying exposed to the clements. The
relief parties are unable to deal with
them.
Ten thousand soldiers have been or
dered by the king to maintain order
and preserve property in Sicily alone.
News from Messina says that barely
10 900 of the 100000 inhabitants es-
capped alive. The city was completely
DESTROYED and today IL a cemetery.
Dispatches from Bagnara state that
not a single house remains standing.
Even the churches collapsed. -Four
hundred bodies and 500 wounded have
been taken from the ruins.
Lloyd c. Griscom, the American am
bassador, left Rome today Tor Mes
sina to obtain information about MISS
ing Americans.
Prince and Princess Galitzin. who
have arrived at Naples. say that
Taormina escaped with slight damage.
The king is hurrying efforts at Mes
sina and Reggie TO bury the dead De,
fore pestilence breaks out. TO warn
of an epidemic survivors in the nelgh-
horhood are being removed as quickly
as possible
The burials are being made In long
trenches as after a great battle
Several cargoes OF quicklime nave
been scattered about the ruins, partly
to prevent contagion and partly TO pre-
vent dogs from devouring the BODIES
Dogs have become ferocious under the
pangs of hunger.
News OF the extent OF the disaster
I'm smaller towns is brought In Dy re.
fugees. Reports from Palmi say tha'
whole regiment was drowned tneIe
IN the tidal wave. lt - SAID that inc
town OF Scylla. near the famous TOOK
OF that name. has disappeared entire
w. Even tho site has vanlshed' ac'
cordng to the report.
The town OF Semlnara has been ue-
ftroyed 800 OF the Inhabitants being
killed end as many badly injured SIN
opoli and san Procopio, IN the same
district. have been much Injured
Tho entire sea front or Reggie was
swept away. the public buildings were
laid in ruins and the whole lower town
Inundated by the tidal wave. Now,
what Is left Of the town on higher
ground. is steadily sinking and may
be swallowed by the sea.
Since Monday morning the suosid.
once has been slow, but steady, and
the succession of minor tremors which
followed the great shock have caused
such alarming changes in the earth
that II Is feared the ruined town vii
be cngulfed and obliterated.