The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-12-14


fax returned last night and gave thei
estimate of the number of dead a
$500.
Halifax, Dec. S.-With the toll OF
dead still mounting it is now believed
that between two and three thousand
persons persisted in the explosion and
fire which followed the collision Thurs.
day morning in Halifax harbor be-
tween q munitions laden French ship
and another vessel loaded with sup
plies for the Belgian relief commission.
The disaster which has plunged the
Dominion into mourning probably will
rank as the most fearful that ever
occurred on the American continent.
Residents of Halifax and thousands of
volunteer relief workers who have
come to the city have been almost
dazed at the extent of the horror.
Last night the stricken city was
swept by Il raging blizzard. So fierce
was the storm that rescue workers
were forced to suspend operations in
the devastated section. 1t is believed
certain that all the injured buried
under the ruins of shattered buildings
have periShedr of cold and hunger.
Battered by a biting wind and blind
ing snow, the plight of the survivors
of the holocaust is little short of des-
perate.
The windows and doors of vOrtually
every house in the city We're shattered
by the explosion which wrecked the
Richmond section and devastated
large part of the waterfront. Impro-
vised barbados of boards give little
protection against the elements and
attempts to heat buildings into which
the snow is steadily drifting, are
hopeless.
City Again Dark.
The city was again in darkness last
night except for the illumination af-
fOrded by a scanty supply of oil lamps,
and unless these are carefully
screened they are extinguished as
soon as lighted by the gale which
whistles through the crude shutters.
Only a small percentage of the build
ings have even this slight protection
from the storm.
The sufferings of those who escaped
injury have been increased by the fact
that every available blanket, quilt and |
comfort has been requisitiOned for the |
hundreds of injured in the temporary |
hospitals. Many of these are so grave |
ly wounded their only hope lies in the |
best of care. Serious fears are felt |
that cold, shock and exposure will re-
suit in an outbreak of pneumonia.
One Telegraph Wire.
A single telegraph wire, bending
dangerously in the storm, offered Hall
fax only precarious means of com
munication with the outside world.
and it was feared momentarily that
this line would snap. AT best it gave
only a hating connection with other
points. Telegraph and telephone com
panies are making desperate efforts
to provide makeshift service but the
work is beset with great difficulties.
While many generous offers of ma
terial relief have been received and
trainloads of supplies are on the way,
the spectre of famine is abroad, for if
the storm continues it may seriously
interfere with railroad traffic. There
is enough food on hand for immedi-
ate needs, but it will last only a short
time unless additional supplies are re-
ceived.
immensely of Disaster Grows.
AS the day wore on the immensely
of the disaster increased rather than
Hundreds of bodies were
70 |
squads were constantly finding new
victims buried under tons of debris
until the blizzard forced them to cease
work. There is every reason to be
Iieve that many more will be re-
covered.
No concerted effort has been made
as yet to compile a list of the dead
as every effort is being made to iden-
tify those who persisted. The condi-
ion of many of the bodies makes this
exceedingly difficult and a large pro-
portion of those who lost their lives I
will be buried as "nameless dead" t
There is no reason, however, to change
he estimate of 1000 dead and 5000 {
injured. s
The fires which had been raging for s
a hours in the north end were brought 6
lnder control early yesterday. I
While soldiers, sailors and volun- l
GERS were searching the ruins of the S
lorth end yesterday business was en- q
irely suspended. The leading citi- q
ems devoted their efforts to organic
ng work Of relief and substantial
rogress was made in this respect. v
Incidents are coming to light every b
our which emphasize the fact that h
fe and death go hand in hand. Deaths v
30 horrible to describe occurred stimuli il
with miraculous escape A Il
wo-year-old child was blown through
le roof of house, fell to the ground IL
nd suffered only few scratches. 81
Another child was rescued from the ei
Inns In Richmond apparently unhurt. Il
Some Of those reported missing have nj