The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-12-13
DELAYS WORK
OF RESCUERS
Another Storm Descends Upon
Halifax With Great Fury
STRICT EMBARGO IN FORCE

Exposure and Cold May Greatly An
crease Death Rate--Relief Agencies
Organized Under zone ,Iead--Aid
From United States Appreciated
Halifax, Dec. 1.-THE latest easu-
atty list is:
Known dead, 1890; identified. 900;
unaeeounted for. 1920; wounded. 5000;
homeless, $4,000.
/ Halifax, Dec. ia roaring Dliz-
card, the third to strike this sorely
afflicted city since the blast from the
| exploding munitions steamer made
| 25,0O0 persons homeless, burst from
| the northeast last evening. Ii all but
crushed the hear1s of the brave band
of workers struggling against over
| whelmlng odds to alleviate suffering.
| For while the contingents of the
| Canadian army stationed here toiled
| doggedly amid the Ice shrouded ruins
for the unrecovered dead, but when
| the wind veered suddenly to the south.
| east and blew with redoubled force
| the soldiers were obliged 10 withdraw
Pungs bearing hospital supplies and
| food TO the numerous relief stations
were storm-bound The crippled light
ing system broke down again, leaving
the city In darkness Burial parties,
who had volunteered their services
when the medical authorities an
nOunced that the recovered dead must
be disposed of at once if an epidemic
We're to be averted were driven to
cover.
From the devastated area of two
and half square miles hundreds of
men and women patiently seeking
their dead gave up their task for still
another day and sought shelter pro-
vided for them in buildings where
every pane Of glass had been shat
tered by Thursdays explosion.
Relief trains bringing workers and
supplies reached the city in the height
of the storm, but those so eager to
help found themselves helpless and
knew not which way to turn in the
confusion Of the storm, the unlighted
city and the wreck of familiar land
marks.
Homeless Given Shelter
In tents, barracks, private homes
and public buildings the homeless
were given shelter Reports from the
5000 wounded stated that for them at
least the storm brought no added dan
ger, so well had they been provided
for.
The storm had shut In suddenly
After the rain Of Sunday, which
turned the snow-filled streets into
rivers of slush, the weather turned
clear and cold. AT daylight a furry
of snow fell, but later the sun came
out. Its stay was brief, however. At
noon the storm broke with extreme
violence, reaching its climax when
the wind swung 10 the southeast
Then, rs suddenly as It had begun,
Ii ceased
SO serious is the problem of housing
and feeding those already In the city
that Il strict embargo was issued
against the admission Of all persons
not connected with relief or recon
struction work. Military guards were
detailed TO stop newcomers at Truro. |
Among the first to feel this stringent |
but necessary step were many Ameri. |
cans. who were halted at ST. John.
The citizens and the authorities gen.
orally recognize that the multitude OF |
visitors who have been fiocking here |
since railroad communication was re-
established are moved by the best of |
Intentions. The city appreciates their
generous desire to help. But there Is
simply no accommodation for them.
In a community Of $1,000 inhabi.
tants, $4,000 have been made suddenly I
homeless. These must first be pro-
vided for as well as the army OF work
men needed to clear away the debris
and rebuild the city.
Assurance has been given that there
Is food enough for the present. but II
will not be sufficient IL the expected
throBg Is to be fed rs It must
Authorities Fear Disease
The health authorities have been
disturbed by the thought of an alb
normal death rate due to long ex-
posture and cold The fear of an
epidemic Of pneumonia. especially
among non-residents, also Is upper
most In the minds Of physicians.
So widespread has been the dam
age that even the throng from the
provinces. familiar with the lay of
The town, have been unable 10 find
heir way about.
The numerous relief agencies, those
tut into operation by the citizens Of
he city directly after the explosion
md those reaching here In large num-
,ers since, were organized under one
read. with A. H. Whitman as chair
nan.
The plan was adopted al the sug.
sesiion Of A. G. Ratshesky. yice-chalr-
nan Of the Massachusetts committee
Il public safety and an experienced re-
lief worker. All the work. both on