New Britain herald., 1922-11-13
Astronomers and Meteor ologists Believe Solar Disturbances Were Re-: sponsible in Some Measure
Property Damage Mounts to Millions Several Towns Wiped Out 400 Miles of Coast Affected by Tidal Wave.

Santiago, Chile. Nov. 1s (By Assos ciated Press)-Relief forces to aid the thousands made homeless by the earthquake throughout Chile early Saturday morning, and the flooding waves which fclpowed the shocks. were being mobilized today. Tho death toll will probably be at least one thousand, 1t is estimated. and tho property loss will run into the nltl- lions as several towns weer almost en- tirely wiped out and heavy damage to buildings and communication lines, and particularly to ships along th6 1,400 miles of coast affected by tho huge waves has resulted from. the violent upheavals of nature.
 The extent of the casualties, prop- erty damages and distress wrought by the catastrophe disturbances has not yet been learned except in general way as many communication lines both overland and under water wore put out of operation.
 500 Killed in One Town
 Five hundred persons were reported killed at vallenar and in the districts surrounding that city. At Coquimbc. at least 100 are known to be dead. The damage from the succession of earth shocks which filled the popu- lation with terror, was heaviest in the northern provinces of Antofagasta. Atacana and Coquimbo All along the coast little ships and big ships were swept on shore pounded against the rocks or left high and dry At many small ports wharves and quays were destroyed. Bring Relief to Sufferers. Today naval shtps were steamtng up and down the coast. stopping at various places to send landing parties to the relief of sufferers, many 0f whom are without both food and shelter.
 Gradual reopening of the telegraph lines to the north is bringing Tn ad- ditional details of the catastrophe centering in Atacana province.
 Population Without Food. The inland town of vallenar Is in ruins, with 360 dead and about 500 injured. In the collapse of the prison. 12 inmates were killed and others injured. The entire popula- X ton is without food or adequate medi- :. cal assistanc& The cruiser Chaca- buco sailed last night for Huasco. tho seaport of vallenar.
 At Coquimbo, where 100 were killed earth tremors continued on Sunday but the population had re- covered from it's alarm and was pro- ceeding with the work of searching the ruins for bodies and succoring the injured.
 At Chanaral, north of La Serena. the tidal wave Saturday morning swept away the entire district in which the stores were situated and the inhabi- tants are without food. The bodies have been recovered
 Caldera is in ruins. The wave swept over the town carrying away even the railroad cars. No casual ties however are reported.x
 The tidal waves which followed the earthquakes indicated gigantic dis rrbance beneath the Pacific. The waters first were drawn away from shore far below the low tide mark and then they came rushing back in great wave which some observers said was 50 metres in height. At Antofagasta this queer and frightfui movement of the sea was repeated five times until the city was battered almost to ruins and the entire popu- lation fled to the hills.
 Sun Spots as Cause. The tremors were so severe that some of the seismographs were put out of operation. The total duration of the shocks was hours and 70 minutes and the estimated radius 200 kilometers in the direction transversal to the Andes. The me- terological institute announced that the earth shock coincided with the passage of sun spot over the cen tral meridian of the solar body. The sun spot made its appearance on November 5 and was the largest ob- served this year.
 At Valparaiso. 1t was pointed out by Rear Admiral Martin. director of the navy meteorological service. that the earthquake came just as the con- functions of Mercury and Jupiter and Neptune and the sun were approach- ing. and he declared. this was sta nificant.
 City Is Wiped Out AT-x-