The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-02
SAODEST Mn YEARS.
DAY is SPENT BY The
MOURNING POPUlACE
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Helena Are Doing Wonders In
Actual Rescue Work Among
the Victims and Encour-
age the Despairing.

Rome, January 1.-Professor Ricco, d.
rector of the observatory at Mt. Aetna.
estimates that the victims of the earth
quake exceed 100000.
Hundreds of dangerous criminals have
been arrested by the troops and are under
close guard.
Although graphic stories are coming into
Rome of the horrors In southern italy and
Sicily, these are but repetitions of indi-
Avidual tragedies already recorded. What
chiefly concerns the government and the
people is the progress that is being made
toward the relief of those who have suf-
fered by the dreadful visitation. Consid-
erable advance in this respect has been
made at Messina, where, according to Of
fetal reports received here, the supply
service is beginning to work satisfactorily.
The different regions on the coast have
been allotted to the various warships and
other ships as centers from which torpedo
boats and launches convey and distribute
rations and water to the different vii
lagos.
The minister of justice has wired from
Messina to Premier Giolotti that large
bodies of troops have arrived, and are
now occupying all parts of the town. The
appalling extent of the disaster renders
anything like systematic search of the
ruins impossible, but persons are being
dragged ont all day long and are quickly
transportea to sne relief ships as soon as
their wounds have received attention.
Slight Shocks Felt.
There were slight shocks felt in the
earthquake zone today, completing the
ruin of the crumbling buildings. These
shocks are contributing to the keeping up
of the alarm of the population. One quite
severe shock was felt at 8 o'clock in the
morning and another at 9. Fires are
still burning. although much rain has
fallen. The latest Investigations on both
sides of the straits make 1t certain that
many more than half the population of
the coast towns and villages have been
killed
Great relief was felt here when the an
islands, which were reported to have dis
appeared with their population of 1900,
suffered little or no damage from the
earthquake. Public opinion is seriously
concerned with regard to the safety OF
the King and Queen and the possible dan
ger from tottering walls. The King fire.
quently has tried to persuade the Queen
20 70 ,f ha Ixyuv
refused, declaring that it would break her
heart to abandon her husband in his
labors for the country in its anguish.
New Years day in Italy Is usually the
occasion of festivities and rejoicing as
widespread as on Christmas. Imposing
ceremonies are celebrated in the churches
where the people crowd to give thanks
for past mercies and to implore still
further mercies for the new year. The
King spends his day receiving greetings
from the foreign diplomats, his ministers
and officials of state; the Pope admits
privileged hundreds to his mass and dur
ing the remainder of the day receives
good wishes.
Festal Spirit Gone.
But these ceremonies and the festal
spirit were wanting today. Instead of re-
joicing ONE Is filled with lamentations;
pictured on the countenance of all is
grief for the destruction of two beauti-
full regions of the mother country where
thousands now lie dead. The flags fly
at half mast and the bells of thousand
churches ring not for the TIE Deum, but
toll sad knells for requiem masses.
King Victor Emmanuel has been inde-
fatigable He has shown wonderful activ-
ity and endurance, leaving no point in
Messina unvsited. He has supervised the
entire work in the fallen city and his
presence has infused new courage and
energy into the rescuers and the surviv-
ors. hungry and wounded as they are.
Often he is surrounded by crowd of
victims who, as though the sight of the
King had restored their strength. cheer
enthusiastically and shout: I'VE have
King; we have protector"
A large number of soldiers have been
landed from the various steamers arriv-
ing at Messina and other stricken places,
and efforts are being directed toward en1-
barking the wounded refugees who are
crowding all available places. Some Of
these will be sent as far as Genoa.
People Give Freely.
A touching feature of the material aid
offered by all classes of people in Rome
is the donation Of clothing and bedding
which the workmen are freely giving to
collecting students. Reports from all
parts of italy Indicate the same generous
spirit The King has placed the royal
palaces at Naples and Caserta at the
disposal of the injured.
Princess Yolande. the 7-year-old daush-
ter of the King, having had the reason
for her parents absence explained to
her, carried about a contribution box
among her little friends at a party given
in her honor at the Quirina1 this after
noon. She. herself, put in the box her
first tiny gold ring. which was given to
her on Christmas by her grandmother
Dowager Queen Margarita: her younger
sister Mafaltoa gave a gold chain. while
Umberto. the heir-apparent. years old
a headless DOLL
Vessels loaded with refugees continue
to stream into Naples and Palermo. and
each day secs the arrival Of additional