THE ANXIETY FOR NEWS

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12507, 21 May 1906, Page 8

THE ANXIETY FOR NEWS

(SPECIAL TO THK PRESS.") WELLINGTON, May 20. A friend, ivJio tsoncia mc a copy of the "Lee Angolos JixpreMs,' , tta.es w.a.i thwo was gri-at excitement mere on receipt of' tlie news or tn'j eartiiqu-ake. The paper gives tho iioui, very mucii an we hoard it hero. Tuo anxioiics of relatives, and tho difficulties of Retung telegrams sent, arc graphically io.d in the following paragraph:—".No privato milages are bc-iug tent over tiio one wire open to San Francisco on thi , pois\il telegraph lines. Be:ore tho ollices ol the company an exct-d crowd oi : men and women Huged back and lorlh this morning, all imploring tho officers to send a m-cu.sag- 1 through for them to the stricken city, to bring back e>olllo word from dear ones in peril tl;,ere. Manager Lewis said tuat L.ero was only 0110 wire 111 operat.jon, an:l that lie had rcroiwd imperative orders that it is to bo iwed rok-Jy tor company purposes, I'rese do'patche-, «,n-J general new*. When ho made ttiiw announcement to the clamouring crowd, it 101 l silent for a moment; tlien a. groan went up. Pale-faced petitioners, who had thought to know m a little while what lato had conio upon the child, or wife or mother, in the city of doom, saw befoio them a day and night of frightful isusptnso befci'o one word can come to them to dispel or confirm tV.eir fears. Men who have largo dealings with tho company tried to ueo their influence, implored and threatened, but Manager Lewie shook his head. Maddened men fought i.heir way towards him, -with handful of money, offering it all just for the tending i:f one word, and one in reply, just that they might know that 0110 petson in UicT world was still alive. j.>ian;:g-.'r Lewis compre.*HKl hw twitching lips and wared tho money away. 'Wonxui cried and sobbed, imploring him to Willi! word for them. An oUI gii'vlwiired woman crouched at his foot, her lips moving in silent appeal. Manager Lewis gritted his teeth and shook his head. '"There is but one wire open, and individual anguish mast wait for ite relief."