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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1909)
CHIEF HUNDRED THOUSAND DIE IN A WFUL EARTHQUAKE Seismic Shocks, Tidal Waves and Fires Devastate Mes sina, Reggio and Scores of Other Cities and Towns of Calabria. STRAIGHT PROM THE SHOULDER. Message to Lower Branch on Secret Service. BIG STICK FALLS ON FOUR HOUSE I SIKTOOB Champions of Provision to Limit Scope of Investigators Are Raked Over the Coals by Roosevelt Federal Sleuths Defended by Executive. Washington. President Itoosovclt's big stick crashed down upon tho heads of representatives Tawney of Minnesota, Smith or Iowa. Shorley of Kentucky, and Fitzgerald of New York, when the execu tive sent ti special messago to tho house of representatives, berating those salons for being chainplotm of tho successful movo to placo llmltutlons upon the scopo of tho secret service, Tho president also declared that the Interpretation of the house of tho secret service clause In his last message was misunderstood, and had there been any evidence which would point to tho neces sity of an Investigation of members, such evidence would long ago havo been turned over to tho proper authorities, Tho message was In answer to the res olution transmitted from tho houso In which the representatives asked for evi dence upon which Mr. Itoosevclt based his statements that tho "chief argument In favor of tho provision was that tho congressmen did not themselves wish to be Investigated by secret service men." Tor the Ananias Club. The message In part: "I am wholly nt a loss to understand the concluding portion of tho resolution. 1 havo mado no charges of corruption galnst congress nor ugalnst any member of the present house. If 1 had proof of audi corruption affecting any member of tho houso In any mutter us to which tho federal government has Jurisdiction, ac tion would at once be brought, ns was ' done In the cases of Senators Mitchell und Hurton, and Representatives "Wil liamson, Horrman and Drlggs, nt differ ent times since I have boon president. This would simply bo doing my duty In tho execution and enforcement of the laws without respect to persons. Hut I lo not regnrd It as within the province or tho duties of tho president to report to tho house 'alleged delinquencies' of members, or the supposed 'corrupt no tion' of a member 'In his ofilelol capac ity.' The membership of tho housu U by tho constitution placed within tho power of tho house alone. In the prose cution of criminals and tho enforcement of tho laws tho president must resort to the courts of the United States. "In tho third and fourth clauses of tho proamblo It Is stated that the meaning of my .words Is that 'tho majority of the congressmen nro In fear of being Inves tigated by secret servlco men' nnd that "congress as a wholo was actuated by that motive In enacting tho provision In question,' und that this Is an impeach ment of tho honor and integrity of the congress. These statements are not, I 'think, In accordance with the facts." Misunderstood, He Says. "This allegation in the resolution, there fore, must certainly bo duo to an untlro :futlure to understand my message. "Tho resolution continues: 'That tho president be requested to transmit to the "house any evidence upon which ho based Jils statements thnt the "chief argument In favor of tho provision wan that the congressmen did not themselves wish to bo investigated by secret servlco men." This statement, which was an attv.clc upon no one, still Icsh upon tho congress, Is sustained by tho facts. "If you will turn to tho Congressional Tlecord for May 1 last, pages CS53 to GS60, Inclusive, yon will find the debato on this subject, Mr. Tawney of Minnesota, Mr. Smith of Iowa, Mr. Sherley of Kentucky, and Mr. Fitzgerald of New York appear In this debato as the special champions of tho provision referred to. Messrs. 1'ar sons, Bennc.t und Drlsooll wcro the lead ors of those who opposed tho adoption of the amendment -and upheld the right of the government to uso the most efllclent moans possible In order to detect crim inals and to provent and punish crime. Tho amendment was carried In the com mittee of tho whole, wlinro no votes of tho Individual members nro recorded, so I am unablo to discriminate by mention ing tho members who voted for and tho members who voted against the provision, but Its passage, tho Journal records, was greeted with applause. I am well aware, however, that In any cuso of this kind many members who have no particular knowledgo or tint point at issuu are con tent simply to follow tho lead of tho committee which hnd considered tho mat ter, and I havo no doubt that ninny mem bers of the houso simply followed the lead of Messrs. Tawney and Smith." Secret Service Is Defended. After soundly remonstrating with Itep- resentatlves Tawney, Smith, Biicrioy ana ntzeorald for their stand at tho last session In favor or placing limitations upon tho duties or secret service opera tives, tho president set about to defend tho operations of that branch of the federal government nnd declared that tho scone of tho department siiouni no ox tromely wldo In order that all crimlnnls might be brought to Justice and that there might be no unjust discriminations. He also pointed out numerous Instances whore the powers of tho department had brought Justlco upon tho heads of crimi nals and cited cases within tho memory of tho present administration. Mr. Hoose velt also declared that none of tho mem bers of tho houso hnd over been Investi gated as set forth In various allegations, the gist of which was appended to tho message. Asks Reversal of Action. rvinrludlnir. tho president said: "In conclusion, I most urnestly ask, In lm imrne of good government and decent administration, In tho namo of honesty and for tho purpose of bringing to justlco violators of tho federal laws wherever they may bo found, whether In publlo or private life, that the action taken by tho liouso last year be reversed. AVhcn this action was taken, the sonato committee, under the lend of tho lato senator aiii uon, having boforo It a strongly-worded protest from Secretary Cortolyou llkn that ho had sent to Mr. Tawney, accepted the secretary's views; and the sonato passed tho bill In tho shnpo presented by Senator Allison. In tho conference, how over, tho house conferees Insisted on tho retention of the provision tney uau in serted, and the senate yielded. "The chief of tho secret service Is paid n salary utterly Inadequate to tno impor tance of his functions and to tho adrulr ublo way In which ho has performed them. I earnestly urgo that it may be Increased to JC.000 per annum. 1 also urgo that tho secret service bo placed whero it nronerlv belongs, and mauo a uureau In the department of Justlco, as tho chief of tho secret Eervleo has repeatedly re nuested: but whethor this Is done or not, It should bo explicitly provided that tho socret servlco can bo used to dot net and punish crime wherever It Is fdUnd. vniKODQKH R009HVELT." Horrible Scenes in the Stricken District, Described by Eye- Witnesses--All Nations Offer Sympathy and Aid King and Queen Co to Sicily American Consul Arthur S. Cheney and His Wife Are Reported to Ec Among the Victims of the Terrible Disaster. ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE. "His Majesty Vlttorlo Emman uel, Rome: "With all my countrymen I im appalled by the dreadful ca lamlty which has befallen your country. I offer my alncerest sympathy. American National Red Cross haB Issued appeals for contributions for the suffer ers and notified me that they will immediately communicate with the Italian Red Cross. "Theodore Roosevelt." Homo. Stunned at tho magnitude of tho calamity wlilcli naa over taken Its rollow countrymen, all Italy mourna for the Btrlckcn province of Calabria and the Island of Sicily. Ac customed for centuries to earthquakes, Italy stands ever In dread, but none was prepared for the disaster which In tho fraction or a minute Monday dev astated cities and towns and caused tho death of thousands. Lato esti mates put tho number of dead nt 100,- 000. Messinn. whose tragic history has been marked by tidal waves and war, and which was tho center of Monday's terrestrial maelBtrom, was shaken to ruins. Flames bufst forth to comploto tho city's destruction and to burn allvo untold numbers helplessly pinioned be ncath fallen walls and broken timbers. Tho Strait of Messina was shaken and twisted by tho earth's trembling, for mariners ronort tho channel altered beyond recognition. Tho ports and vll laces on both tho continental and SIcll lan Bides were wrecked or Inundated and all lighthouses along tho coasts wore swallowed up. Navigation now Is dangerous and In Bomo placeB lmpos slble. Seaport of Reggio Wiped Out. In tho Calabrlan district, which was only beginning to recover from the of. fects of tho earthquake of 1905, Rogglo wns tho center of tho earth's upheaval. Tho seaport of Reggio is reported as no longer existing nnd tho city proper is In ruins. Tho loss of life on both sides ot tho strait and in eastern Sicily was enormous. One of tho refugees from Itcggio who waB tho first to bring tho news of the city's destruction tried to mnke his way to Sicily In a sailboat, but was compelled to return, and finally found safely at a peninsula port. In describ ing his experience ho said: "Tho sea wns strangely, notoriously ngitated, and tho heavens were ablaze. Neaving Sicily, tho clearing smoko re vealed tho mystery. Messina was In flames. In tho frenzy of despair I turned my boat back to Calabrln." Terrible Scenes at Messina. Starving, bleeding from injuries and almost Insane from their terrifying ox poriehces, Messina's survivors arc flee ing in all directions. The spectaclo presented by tho ruined seaport 1b de scribed as torrifylng. Tumbling build ings botli killed and mutilated, while hundreds of tho injured imprisoned in tho wreckage woro abandoned to their fate by tho lleelng populace. Ono of thoso who escaped said: "Tho earth seemed suddenly to drop and then turn violently on its axis. The whole population, who practically were precipitated from the houses rent In twain, were spun nround like tops as thoy ran through tho streets. Many fell crushed to death and others, bewil dered, took refugo for breath besldo tho tottering walls, whore thoy soon mot tho fate of their companions." Brave Work of Rescuers. Already British and Russian squad rons havo arrived at Messinn. Sailors and marines havo been dlsemburked and they havo porformod courageous ucts In rescuing tho injured und re moving tho wounded. A largo number of suvlvors havo been transferred to tho warships, which nro transformed Into great floating hlspltnls. It is lm porativo that tho dead bo removed from tho ruins in order to avoid a pes tilence. Steamers with doctors, drug gists, firemen nnd workmen havo ar rived at Messina from Catania and other places. Speclnl dispatches received hore from Calabria confirm the destruction of Hegglo. They roport that the situa tion thoro Is as bad, If not worse, than at Messinn. Tho fltreots In Homo nro jammed with pcoplo, who snatch tho speclnl editions from tho newsboys. Tho people are plunged in grief and lamentations aro heard on all sides. Hero and thero ono asks another: "When will end this awful repetition of devastation and death in our coun try?" All Nations Offer Aid. Tho hands of all tho nations have beon extended to Italy In her affliction. From rulors havo como messages of condolence and from tho people upon- tnncoff promises of that aid which brings tho world closer together In times of great calamity Cheat Britain, France nnd Russia havo Bent their war ships quick ns n flash of the tele graph could carry tho ordcrB to lend nsslstaucc to tho stricken cities. Re lief funds havo already beon started and a hundred ships nnd trains nro on their way carrying supplies nnd ro en forcements to tho south. Home, Milan, Florence, Naples and other cities nro sending physicians, police und firemen. Described by Naval Officer. At the time of tho earthquake tho torpedo boat Sappho was lying In the hnrbor of Messinn nnd one of tho olll cors told of tho occurrences, us fol io wb: "At half-past ilvo in tho morning tho sea suddenly bocamo terribly agitated, seeming literally to pick up our boat and shake It. Other craft near-by woro similarly treated and tho ships looked like bits of cork bobbing about in a tempest. Almost Immediately n tidal wave of huge proporllons swept across tho strait, mounting tho coasts and carrying everything before it. Scores of ships woro damaged and tho Hun garian mall boat Andrassy parted her in "hors and went crashing Into other vessels. Messinn hay was wiped out and tho sea was soon covered with masaes of wreckage, which was car- EARTHQUAKE SCENE IN ITALY. Calabrlan Family Among Ruins of T ried off In tho arms of tho receding waters." King and Queen Go to Sicily. King Victor Kmmanuel nnd the queen, who left for tho aceno of the culamlty, reached Naples last night and proceeded at onco to Sicily. A largo number of pcoplo saw their majesties depart from Homo and ono nmong tho number of deputies nt tho station observed to tho king: "The presenco of your mnjosty will sulllce to console tho strickon population." The king turned sharply upon tho spoaker and said abruptly: "Don't talk nonsense.'' Horrible Scenes in the Ruins. Tho work of rescue nt Messina, ac cording to tho meager details received hero, presented hnrrowing scones, Hundreds of people woro pinned under walls and rafters alive, but terribly Injured, for 30 hours. Ono of tho res cuers found under tho ruins of a houso fivo children, allvo, but unable to speak, clinging around tho corpse of tholr mother. In aomo cases heroic rescuers met death In tho fnlllng do brls. In ono house 20 persons sus pended on tho fifth floor nnd unablo to reach tho street becauso tho lower floors hud been torn away, woro res cued with a ropo by a sailor. Six criminals wero killed whllo attempting to loot tho Hank of Sicily, whero caBh amounting to half u million dollars lay In plain view. Officials Give Succor. Tho popo hna telegraphed tho arch bishops of Palermo, and Catanln and tho bishops of Mllctto and Cntanzaro expressing Ills Borrow over tho np- palling calamity and ordering tho say ing of prayers. Ho aaka also what money Is required, as ho desires to contribute funds to cope with tho situ ation. Premier Qioilttl has appointed a na tional committee to organize succor for tho unfortunates. Tho president of tho organization Is tho duko of Aosta. Tho king has made n generous contribution to tho relief fund. Min ister of Public Works Ilcrtollnl and' Minister of Justice Orlando havo left Homo for Sicily. Slg. Orlando is ft Sicilian. Lasted Only Twenty-Three Seconds. A report of technical observations from the observatory at Messina says tlie earthquake lasted for 21! seconds only. It was accompanied by remnrk able atmospheric phenomena. The surcharged air was filled with sparks and Hashes of (lame which Hated up until tho heavens seemed nilrc. The crest of the earth appeared suddenly to drop. These phenomena wero fol lowed by distinct lateral oscillations that throw tho pnnlc-stricken pcoplo off their feet as they rushed to tho streets. Straits of Messinn All Changed. Reports indicate that tho geography of thu Straits of Messina has been bo ehnnged as to causo apprehension of seriotiB commercial and strategic dlill heir Home, Earthquake of Oct., 1907. cultlcs. It Is bolioved that navigation lias become extremely dnngorous, hi which case tho fortifications on which the government In recent years npont largo suniB will bo useless. Tho famous whirlpool of Charybdis, it Is said, has shifted Its position. Desperate calls havo boon mado from Home to Messinn, but these re main unanBwored und fenra aro on tortalnod that Fort Spuria, noar Mob slna, hna been destroyed, ns tho wire loas station Installed thero is ono o tho most powerful in Italy and Is ovl tlontly not working. American Consul and Wife Die. Washington. Thnt Arthur 8 Chonoy, American consul at Messina, Sicily, and ills wife lost their lives In tho earthquake disaster which dov a8tated that city Monday, Is Indicated by nn official dispatch recolved last night by tho stato department front Stuart Lupton, American vlce-consu at Messina. Tho following dispatch canio via Mnlta, Malteso Islands, in thu Modlter rancan, being received thoro by wire less from Messina by Consul Willluic II. Gale, and transmitted by him to the statu department: "Tho Messina consuluto destroyod and consul and wlfo supposed to b? dead. Lupton." Arthus S. Chonoy Is a native of Illi nois, but wns appointed consul at Mes slna from Connecticut August IB, 1907 Stuart Lupton, who Is from Tonnossee, was only recontly appointed vlco and doputy consul at Messina and had just arrived at hla post, succeeding It Pclrco, an Italian. First Cross Old Gentlomnn Do from n monkey, sir? Second Cross Old Clentlomnn (Copyright, Ford "I t'nk tint do dogs ecs running on their heels," said tho baroness to her pilot, Cnpt. Molecule, as the pair pulled up. The pilot squirmed nt tho words dogs and heels, murmured something nnudlbly to himself, nnd replied: "Quito so, bnronoss; the hounda nro, I bellovo, running heel." Then the huntsman Hashed upon tho scene, grasped tho situation in n glance, took hold of them und put them right, und galloped ahead with ti cheery, "Hole, togothor-for-nrd- away!" Tho Harmless do Cruchecnsso wbb popular (with tho men) and n liberal member of tho Gorseslilro hunt; smoked largo nnd long elgnrs of great price, scaled at least 14 Btono, know nothing about hunting, und rode. Moleculo wns ti horseman and u sportsman to tho nails; walked about olght stone certainly rodo under "I Most Particularly Desire to Be In at Zee Hallah To-Day." nine. His leading churacterlstlc nnd pride lay on his admirable (that la, tonuoua) log for a boot. Artfuily, und, perhaps, wickedly, posted down wind, nt tho bottom of tho covert tho pnlr had stolon a good start, after a stolo-away fox, which, silently, they viewed; tho udvantngea of their maneuver being dissipated by tho above-mentioned check, which al lowed tho master and a friend nnd the body of tho field to como up. Tho huntsman carried Ilia lino sweotly for a mllo or more, when hounds brlelly fnultod again. Whllo ho was making his cast, the baroness took -tho opportunity of giving certain instructions to her accomplished pilot. "You will pleaso noto, captain,' said she, "zut I most particularly do slro to bo In ut zeo hallnll, to day at zoo doath, as you would say for to night, you know, ces zco linl masque at Gorsotown. 1 shall bo hnblllo what you say habited, costumed, dressed as 'Diana Up-to-Dnle (in hunting kit zat ess), and I am determined to offacer ecrasor thoso others. And voyoz voua, I moost have zee tall of zeo fox." "Ily thoso othors" sho meant tho local ladles of tho Hunt, betweon whom and tho baroness thero was little lovo lost. "M'yos, I see; just so," replied tho pilot. "And In ordor," continued tho baron ess, "In order to bo qulto en reglo, It la absolutely necessary that I should have zeo tall of zco fox for zco bundle of my fan. Mark yon well of that Mon. lo Capltalno." By SIDNEY BURNS . you know how far you aro removed Yea: tho width of this table. l'ub. Co.) Moleculo squirmed again. Thnt tall struck him like a flail. Ho merely an swered: "All right, baroness; I'll do my best." Then tho order was again "Right away!" Some very pretty hunting nnd tiding nnd fencing ensued. Everybody was fully occupied with his or her own business. For tho tlmo being, 'thoso others" forgot tho baroness, who, skillfully conducted by hor pilot, kept well with tho huntsman and tho pack, riding somewhat on tho loft of tho hounds, and keenly watching tholr trend, with u view of cutting posalblo corners. Thoro wns anothor lady out thnt day ono In particular of many a young, small and vory protty lady, and alio stuck closely to tho master. Thoso two kept over on tho right of tho pack, whllo tho baroness nnd her pilot, hoping to achieve- tho chord of nn arc, hung on tho left of tho hounda. Tho hounds ran vory hard, throwing their tongues now and again, and tho lino whs of tho "largo ordor" variety. Tho fences wero frequent and ntlff; tho field begnn to tail. Tho pnek swung right-handed, Insomuch that the baroness und hor pilot, circling wide, had leeway to make up. 10 re long tho pilot found thnt his chargo was In trouble. Hor mount, not qulto up to hor weight, bogun to swny nnd roll und mako a noise. As thoy took nn oxer, tho baroness horso lauded with ono of these pecks, two of which spoil grlof, und, charging 12 feet of wntor, down camo lady and Bleed on tho right sldo of tho brook, happily. Quickly tip again and off, tho bar oness waB enraged to bco tho master (on his second horso) far ahead to tho tight, closely followod by that other lady, who soomcd to bu going strong und well. Hor ladyship ut tered, In hor nntlvo tongue, somo re- marka which need not bo ropcated horo. Soon aftor this a lucky turn to tho left and a face-about of some miles lot the couple In, but too Into. Thoy heard tho loud "whoo-whoop!" nnd tho label of hounds. When thoy camo up nil was ovor, and that other lady was In proud possession of tho brush, which, having boon Informed of tho aspirations of tho baroness, tho mas ter bogged hor to thrust under her covert-coat. Meanwhile, tho hallnll bolng cried bosldo tho copso containing tho body of a flagitious sheep-dog, tho tail of tho Inttor had been secured ns n tro phy for tho bnronoss, to whom tho muster handed It with gracious cour tesy. That night tho baroness duly ap peared at tho ball, "all smllos," dressed In a gloiillod edition of hunt ing garb, and triumphantly bearing" on tho handle of hor fan that which sho tormed "zeo tall of zeo fox." But that othor lady, young and fair, whom tho master delighted to honor, also carried a trophy of tho chaso tho trophy, Indeed. And bo what Mmo. do Cruchecasse dubbed "zeo tall or zeo fox" ovory body elso called "tho baroness' brush." The King and the Vagabond. His majesty had beon threatoned by u drunken vugnbond who crowded past tho guards, Tho king promptly knocked him down. , "With which of your august fists did you strike tho ruillan?" nnxloualy Inquired tho king's chief advisor. "With my loft," replied tho monarch. "Good," cried tho advisor. "It would havo boon Bncrllogo to uso your divlno right upon such u low rulllnn." And tho king luughod und strode along.