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THE EARTHQUAKE.

A Dreadful Minute's Shock. -♦— • THE EARTH CRACKED. Titanic Grandeur of the Great Tragedy. MESSINA, "A GIGANTIC DUSTHEAP!" TRAINS CANNOT GET NEAR THE CITY. THE LOSS OF LIFE. TENTS, BEDDING, AND BEEF FOR SUFFERERS. "CANNOT FIND REGGIO!" IT IS NO LONGER WHERE IT WAS. CONSTERNATION REIGNS. DRAMATIC DEATHS. MANY. ARE TAKEN, FEW LEFT. THE COUNTRY MOURNS. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPB-r-vOlrTttl'aHT.] IPBB PRESS ASSOCIATION*] (Received December 81, 8.15 a.m.) Rome, December 30. The nrst shock of the earthquake (particulars of which will be found on page 4) lasted one minute. The earth cracked with sounds like the firing of Maxim guns. Writers describe the scene that followed as being like the rending of an old world, •' It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of the titanic grandeur of its tragedy. A train from Palermo was unable to come within ten miles of Messina. All the buildings and bridges are broken. Out of 100 post office employees, only six were saved. The garrison has been reduced to a very small number. New York, December 30. The public of New York have subscribed £4000 to the earthquake relief fund. The Italian colony of New York cabled £2000. Rome, December 30. The battleship Exmouth, which was lying at Malta, conveys tents, mattresses, blanket*, and beef for the relief of Messina. The military warehouses at Rome have been emptied of clothing, blankets, and provisions, which have been sent to Sicily. Hundreds- of injured people from Messina were brought to Naples. Survivors describe Messina as being a gigantic dustheap. Only a few thousand people, they say, escaped. The British steamer Drake rescued 2050 persons^ whilst the crew of a British merchantman rescued many from burning houses. 2S. - - A shock, felt at Ekaterinburg, east of the Ural mountains, in Russia, coincided with that which occurred at Messina. Rome, December 30. A naval officer who left Messina for Reggio has telegraphed that he cannot find Reggio, as it exists no longer where it was. There are one thousand dead at Bagnara. A serious shock was felt at Palermo on Monday evening. (Received December 31, 8 a.m.) Rome, December 30. Refugees declare that Reggio is not only wrecked by the shock, but that the lower parts of the town have been swallowed up. The earth opened up with a tremendous detonation, like the firing of a hundred guns simultaneously. The sea, with a terrifio roar, rose to a tremendous height, running in in one sweep over the most beautiful part of the town, including the Cathedral precincts, the palace, and all the main thoroughfares. Consternation reigns throughout Italy. Especialy in Rome and Naples , is the terror indescribable. The death of the chief of police at Messina and his five, children was most tragic. His wife and boy escaped by standing under the framework of* the largest door in the building, whilst the Vails and floors fell around her, burying the rest of the family. Cannutelli and Raggara were destroyed. A captain of the Carabineers, after visiting Reggio, reported that the number of dead there as enormous. One hundred bodies have already been recovered from the ruin of Semmaeoai. British and Russian bluejackets have performed wonders in rescue work at Messina. Out of 200 Customs guards at Messina, only 41 escaped. Out of 280 railway employees, only eight were saved. All Italy is in mourning. Stock exchanges and theatres are closed. A great national effort is being made to send succour, including doctors and firemen. Municipalities everywhere are organising relief. Scientists' insist ih»e the" people must be compelled to re-erect their homes on the spots hitherto spared, instead of rebuilding in places which are regularly devastated by earthquake shocks. Expressions of profound sympathy are coming from all parts of the world. President Roosevelt cabled to King Emmanuel expressing America's horror. President Fallieree, Premier Clemenceau, M. Pichon, King Edward, the Kaiser, and Prince voa Buelow have telegraphed their grief and sympathy.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS19081231.2.13

Bibliographic details

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 766, 31 December 1908, Page 2

Word Count
651

THE EARTHQUAKE. Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 766, 31 December 1908, Page 2

THE EARTHQUAKE. Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 766, 31 December 1908, Page 2