The sun., 1909-02-14

c,udes the area where the shock was vio-
lent but the damage caused slight. 1ts
diameter is about 800 kilometers.
The next line, marked 9, includes the
area where the shock was very strong
but no damaged was caused. This line
could only be traced 30 far In Sicily
through Pollina, Serradifalco and SYRIA
cnse. The other isoseismic lines. marked
6, 4, and s, include areas where the earth
quake was respectively strong. mediocre
and slight.
The intensity Of the earthquake, which
had as its centrum the Strait OF Messina
and a direction from northeast to south
west, rapidly diminished outside the
central isoseismic area. Prof. Rco0 IL
convinced that it was OF exclusive tee
tonic origin. and he says that its direction
was identical with the geological structure
OF the Strait OF Messins, which extends
In a northeasterly direction through all
the strata down TO the primitive crystal
line rocks.
The tidal wave that accompanied the
earthquake struck the western and
southern coasts OF Calabria from the ex-
tremity OF Calabria to Gerace. and in
Sicily from Termini Imerese 10 Syracuse.
The wave was from nine to eighteen feet
high.
The economist Signor Nitti. a member
of the Italian Parliament, has attempted
to measure in a general way but on a
scientific basis the loss resulting TO the
country from the earthquake.
Signor Nitti reckons the wealth Of
Messina at 81 70 SOC. 600 and that Of Reggie
at 500 OOO. 900. By wealth lie means
everything that has value-lands, houses,
money and movable property.
In calculating the loss OF wealth he dis
tinguishes proper ty lost by the State from
that lost by private individuals. TheState
has not been a heavy loser. The land
in the district has suffered great depre-
citation. but this does not constitute
loss to the State. as despite the depression
in trade due to the falling of in the expor-
tation Of agricultural products both In
Sicily and iu Calabria the value OF land
had increased ont OF proportion as result
OF emigration.
Calabria and Sicily have for many years
past furnished a great contingent OF the
emigrants to America. In fact some pro-
vinces, especially Reggie. Catona. Canni-
tello, Bagnara and Santa Eufemia were
practically depopulated. The ideal OF
all emigrants was to make enough money
abroad to enable them TO return and live
on it the rest OF their lives. All bought
land on their return and built houses.
The inevitable result was that the value
Of land increased considerably. and this
increase was artificial. as il did not benefit
trade. Now the loss resulting from houses
being destroyed by the earthquake is felt
by the owners and not by the State. The
State lost the income derived from land
taxes.
The total amount of capital invested in
buildings at Messna is calculated at
about $4,000. 900, at Reggie at $40. .OO0. 900.
and the greatest portion Of this capital
is irrevocably lost. As regards the loss
Of m ovable property, this is also sub
divided between the loss Of II by the State
and that by private individuals.
The wealth OF Reggie and Messina was
not so considerable as was at first mag
ined. The m oney invested in State bonds
Is not lost. as even IL the bonds were
pay able TO bearer and the bearer is dead
the capital invested, which becom es the
property Of the State, Is to be used on
behalf Of the survivors especially orphans.
The m oney lost either in coin or notes does
not constitute loss 10 the State.
The real loss consists in furniture,
household goods. valuables and jewels.
a great proportion OF which have been
stolen and hence were not destroyed but
changed hands. Signor Nitti does not
consider the loss sustained by insurance
companies as very great. at least not as