Evening journal., 1917-12-31
Guatemala CITY
RAEED By QlARE
Many Inhab t MS Killed;
l25,OOO Persons Are
Without She tier
PACKED THEATRE
FALLS, KILLING MANY

SAN SALVATORE, Dec. ai.-Another
severe earthquake on Saturday com
oleted the destruction Of Guatemala
city, capital Of the republic Of Guate-
mala. Many persons were killed In the
disaster, some in their homes and
others In the streets.
The Colon Theatre. which was flled
with people collapsed. There were
many casualties among the audience.
Various hospitals and asylums and |
the prisons were badly damaged ana |
many patients and prisoners were Kill
ed The railroad depot, sugar mills
postoflce, the American and British le-
gations. United states consulate and all
the churches in the city have been lev
elled. Deep flssure opened In the MD
die Of the city.
Tn Inhabitants in panic have ned
from the capital. More tnan eO'Vvo
persons are homeless. The STOCK OF
provisions in the city is scant ana aid
is required promptly.
The Salvsdorean government mas sus-
pended the Official New Year ceieDra-
tlon, and entered into mourning 10
sympathy with Guatemala.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3i.-The Navy
Department yesterday received the tol-
lowing cablegram:
Bad earthquake yesterday nnisn-
ed the work Of others. Everything
in ruins and beyond description as
a result Of last nights shock. One
hundred and twenty-five thousand
people are In the streets. Parts OF
ihe country are very cold and
windy Tents are needed badly.
OiIlte number killed yesterday
by falling walls.
The shocks probably occurred ne-
tween 5.57 and o'clock saturday hlshs
Violent ouakes were recorded at tnat
/ time by the selsmographs OF tle
/ GEORGETOWN University obserN atory,
and the distance was estimated az lsuO
miles from Washington.
Naval vessels in Central American
waters have been ordered 10 ule
stricken city 10 render all possible
assistance.
The machinery Of the American Red
Cross has been set 10 motion 10 re-
lleye the earthquake sufferers. In re-
sponse 10 an appeal for assistance, an
appropriation Of $4,000 has been au'
thorized for the purchase Of reliel
supplies. Materials for temporary shell
iers are being assembled, but the mild
ness of the climate In the devastated
region minlmlzes fears Of SUFFERING
likely 10 be caused by exposure.
Al a gulf port large quantities o
flour, potatoes, crackers ana otne
staple foodstuffs as well as disinfec
tsnts and stores of galvanized Iron 10
, Temporary buildings. already are Dem
! loaded aboard q vessel 10 sail for Bar
rios on the east coast Of Guatemala,
AS soon as news Of the nrst quak
, reached Washington. the Red Cros
! cabled an offer Of assistance 70 IN
, president OF the republic. The Amer
] can minister also was asked 10 organ
lie a committee Of relief workers anon
the American residents.
Farthqiakes have been prevalent
Guatemala since the day after Chris
mas. when shocks were gener
j throughout the republic. With each r.
T. current shock the damage IN Guat'
Z mala City, the capital Of the repuhli
u has grown more extensive. La
Thursday Il was reported that from tf
2 ia forty persons had been killed
Y the disturbances Of the previous nigh
, while dispatches Friday and Saturdi
q indicated that 80 per cent OF Guat
. mala City had been demolished ar
~ that thousands Of persons were hom
~ less Martial law had been declar
BIZ ,,d good order WAS said 10 be DIT
. vailing.
p Guatemala has been the scene
" many disasters, the results OF cart
81 uuakes. Since the settlement OF th
s. country I'm 1922 there have been mo
e than nifty volcanic eruptions and
excess Of 300 earthquakes. The ori'
IN nal Guatemala City was destroyed
to i5ii and 5000 Of the inhabitants we
ok killed. by a deluge Of water from
nd nearby volcano, which was rent by
nk earthGuake. The second capital v
DESTROYED by an earthquake 10 IL
be The houses Of the present capital We
nj built low in consequence OF the uau
ne ity to earthquakes.
n Guatemala City has a population
nearly 10000. It Is situated on pl'
81 AZ an elevation Of 1850 feet above
q level. In the great square stood
10 old Viceregal Palace, the Cathedral
Archbishop's Palace and governm
ter oflces. The capital Is the center
ma tbe trade Of the entire republic, wh
ds, consists in the manufacture Of musli
sg- cotton yarns Of fine texture, articles
are silver and embroideries-
Of
\ In,