Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-06-19

Il" morrow of the most appall-
ing catastrophe in human
history, writes Austin West, CORE
spondent of the London Chronicle. In
less than half minute at that dull
December dawn, what the world of
today talks of as 'the Messina earth
quake" had shattered into dust no
fewer than twenty-four towns along
the Siculo-C alabrian seaboard. The
devastation caused by shocks. by-tjdal
wave and devouring flames extended
over an area of 100 square miles.
With Just one swipe of his scythe
Death had moved down nigh upon a
quarter Of a million members of hui
mainly.
Here, banked by mountains and ly-
ing snug between the fiery breasts Of
Etna and vesuvius. slumbers the new
twentieth century Pompeii.
On approaching its magnificent
sickle shaped Interchangeable Of
Messina's ancient name of Zankle-
one sees that the long, stately sweep
OF palatial facades along the Marine,
which formerly seemed to be playing
a hideous joke in belying the utter
destruction hidden behind. has lately
been in part demolished, exposing Wv
idly to view that vast metropolis
where almost every crumbled edifice
Is at once an altar and tomb. The
harbor works, which ought to have
been among the very first concerns
in reconstruction, are instead the
most neglected. The government
gave out 100000 Of repair work
nearly a year ago, but the contrac-
tors have not yet started on the job
found the port much as I had
left 1t. Yet. so lucky IL Messina by
virtue of its natural position that, de-
spite all drawbacks, the worlds ships
prefer dropping anchor here in in.
creasing numbers, and its port trade
Is greater than before the disaster.
Neptune Alone Remains.
Wavelets ripple over the sunker
wharves, the quayside and adjacent
streets remain rent asunder in mighty
gaps; the Parade all uphoven
smashed, and incumbered with rub
bish as when the tidal wave. $50 feet
in height. retired after its vent Of
herculean casitgation. One object
rivets attention. The giant form o.
Neptune, trident in hand surveys the
scene serenely from the summit Of
his superb fountain. The sea has re
spected its god. Pious folk pointed
me to the survival Of this and like
pagan memories. in contrast with the
humiliation Of their own sacret
shrines, as proof positive that tn.
quake was the handiwork Of demons.
Among the most artistic fanes o
Old Messina was the fourteenth cen
; fury church Of San Niccolo. Sevora
months before the calamity a commits
sion Of civil engineers reported thu
building to the authorities as being
In an exceedingly dangerous condi
ton, and an order was issued for I'll
immediate closure to public worship
San Niccolo Is the one solitary church
which the great earthquake spared!
! The grand old Norman csthedra
which bravely withstood the upheav
ais Of 800 years presents an unfor
gettable appearance. Cleared Of IL
mountain of debris, the interior-SOI
| feet long and 146 feet across-lookl
a. though It had fallen prey to tn
: iconoclasm Of q barbarian horde
} 6culptured fragments Of it, gloriou
] baptistery, pulpit and royal tombs ar,
piled in the nave. Twenty-Five gigan
tic pillars Of granite that upheld tn,
clerestory lie smashed and tumble,
! about the pavement in impressive
chaoS.
! What . wonderful history has beel
thetrSi Centuries before Christ tro'
!: the earth these columns reared thst
" heaAD aloet h the famous Temple Q