Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1917 — QUAKE IN GUATEMALA [ARTICLE]

QUAKE IN GUATEMALA

CITY RAPIDLY BEING DEMOLISHED BY SHOCKS. ■ ________ t Forty Persons Reported Killed—Property Loss Is Heavy-—American Legation Still Habitable. Washington, Dec. 28. —An earthquake, general throughout Guatemala, caused a loss of from ten to forty lives and extensive property damage In Guatemala City, the state department was advised late today in a cable dispatch from the American charge there. No mention was made as to damage in the Interior. The American legation was damaged, but it is still habitable. The American consulate also was damaged. Shocks starting at 10:30 Christmas morning continued almost without cessation until the time of tiling the last message. The second message said the city was rapidly being demolished, and that the deaths did not include any members of the diplomatic corps or other Americans. Wireless, cables and telegraphs have been interrupted, railroad lines cut and hundreds of dwelling houses ruined. Guatemala City, the scene of the earthquake, at an altitude of nearly 5,000 feet, is declared to have been one of the most beautiful cities of the western hemisphere. It was particularly noted for its tine climate, and as the capital of the republic had many fine public buildings, while its points of historic interest were numerous.