ITALY IN MOURNING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11975, 12 May 1914, Page 5

ITALY IN MOURNING.

PATHETIC SGENES AND HEROIC RfcSGU£S.

AN APPALLING STORY.

Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ROME, Monday. The earthquake) was undulating and vertical. The severest shocks were felt between Catania and Mangani, northwards of Acireale. Although Linera, which is in the epicentre of the disturbance, was completely -destroyed, the relative fewness of its victims was due to the majority of the inhabitants being in the lields. Great damage is reported at Sant Averneriua, Bongiai'dino, Pisano, Passapomo, Trecastagni, and Zafferana. Many sufferers were conveyed to the hospitals. Acireale, the /,ono most affected, is thickly populated. The laud is most fertile, the vines growing spontaneousDozens of extricated bodies wero' seen at intervals along the roads, some being unrecognisable, as they were badly crushed. Many of the maugled victims were groaning pitcously. Victims who wero buried alive invoked aid until their voices grew fainter and then ceased. Tho earthquake rescuers found an old woman, terribly injured, clasping with her hand her only son, who was dead, pinned beneath the debris. Wept, Shouted, and Prayed. Many of the survivors were dumbfounded. Somo wept, shouted and prayed, and hampered tho courageous nien who wero attempting to organise rescue parties. Maimed fugitives, chiefly old people, women and children, hurriedly entrained for Catania, but they -Avero brought to a standstill owing to damage to the track. One tunnel elsewhere collapsed, and the railway bridge connecting Lineva ] and Sant Avernerina Avas precipitated into the abyss. Several hospitals, including that at Zerbati, wero wrecked. J Troops Averc sent to reassure the inmates . Mad Ajrith Despair. The inmates of a convict prison, Avho were mad Avith despair, tried to j Avrench the barred Avindows and to batter -doAvn the doors of their cells. Many fugitives from cafes and cinema shows rushed to the seashore and seized boats in which to pass the night. Meanwhile, in the stricken districts, a characteristic spectacle was presented by nuns hurrying to and fro, and never shrinking from the most revolting sights. They Avent about soothing children, comforting women, binding Avounds, and helping the dying in their last moments. Priests Avoro busy hearing confessions and assisting the rescuers. Soldiers, firemen, police, private citizens, Avomen, and even children arc co-operating in every Avay possible, while tho monasteries and convents have opened their doors to orphans and other distressed persons. Prolonged Roar. Earth rumblings Avere heard in Catania for several days, gaining in frequency and strength. The aspect of the volcano greAv fiercer and more alarming, until suddenly there avus a prolonged roar from Mount Etna fo!----loAved by the cutting off of the electric lights and electric power. The houses shook and swayed, and there Avas :» scene of terror and confusion. Fugitives from the slopes of Mount Etna brought the iirst tidings of the i-.ita«----trophe. Sole Survivor. 'Rescuers found an octogenarian avoman, Avho Avas the sole survivor of a family of thirteen at Bongkmlo. XotAvithstunding the soldiers' advice, sho insisted on re-entering her tottering home to search for her relatives. She returned, bearing in her arms a baby still alive. She re-entered saying:— "It is Avorth risking my old life if I can only rescue my grandchildren." The crash of falling masonry immedi- | atelv entombed her.

A young'man was severely injured at Sajnta Mario Vcrginc. He clung to his wife's dead body, and was only separated from her when he was fainting from loss of blood. A llag-woman. who was entrusted with signalling on the railway near Acircale., was severely injured by the fall of the signal-box. Her two sous obeyed her/ injunctions and rushed along the metals shouting and waving flags. They stopped two trains and averted a disaster. The old parish priest of Lineva was seen sitting with bowed head outside the ruins of his domicile. He was bereft of his entire flock. An aged grandfather, who was searching for his wife and two grandchildren, aged two and a half years, found the three clinging together as if asleep, the children being held tightly in the grandmother's arms. All were dead.