The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 3, July 1909)

by American National Red Cross

REPORT OF EARTHQUAKE IN PORTUGAL

By Louis H. Aymé,
American Consul-General at Lisbon.

I have the honor to furnish additional details of the earthquake shock experienced here April 23 and already briefly reported by me in my No. 75 of that date.

King of Portugal.

It is now learned that while some slight damage in the way of fallen chimneys, cracked walls and ceilings was caused in Lisbon, very serious damage was done on the other side of the Tagus to the northeast. Four villages were completely destroyed, 37 persons were killed, a very large number wounded and some thousands made homeless. The greatest damage occurred at Benavente, about 23 miles from Lisbon.

Twenty persons lost their lives at Benavente and some idea of the severity of the earth movement there may be gathered from the fact that the great church, the walls of which were more than 13 feet thick, was entirely wrecked.

At Samora de Correia there were seven killed. At St. Estevao three were killed and two deaths occurred at Salvaterra de Magos. Nine hundred buildings were destroyed in this last place and some 3,000 persons made homeless. The other three villages are also heaps of ruins.

Telegraphic communication was destroyed and the news came by messengers. Instantly energetic measures were taken for the relief of the sufferers. A dozen doctors, full ambulance corps, a huge quantity of medical, surgical and other hospital supplies were rushed to the scene; police, engineers, fire brigades and soldiers were also sent and the King, accompanied by his uncle, Dom Affonso, were on the spot as quickly as special trains and automobiles could carry them after they received the news. The parliament voted unanimously $100,000 to be at once available for the relief of those needing it, and great quantities of provisions were sent to the afflicted district.

The shock here in Lisbon upset a small lamp in a shrine in a private house, setting it on fire. The King and Dom Affonso were there almost with the arrival of the firemen. Too much praise cannot be given to the cool, clear-headed, swift and effective aid extended, especially in view of the fact that Lisbon was utterly panic-stricken. The usual idiots had issued predictions that another and greater shock would occur in twenty-four hours. Two light shocks, at 2 o’clock and 6 o’clock the morning of April 24, and the fearful news from the Trans Tagus made terror yet greater. Thousands had passed the night in the streets. In the Avenida, in front of this Consulate, many hundred richly dressed women slept out under shelters made from the park benches and chairs with shawls and rugs stretched over them to make a sort of roof. Amid this universal terror and fear everyone in authority gave evidence of coolness and energy. The newspapers used their heaviest type and great headlines for rational arguments to reassure the people; all parties in parliament praised the generous and energetic action of the King and the government, and the longest speech made in that body yesterday was devoted to counteracting the panic. There is no seismographical observatory or instruments in Portugal, but the scientists have come out with quieting explanations of what has happened and advised that all should think only how to relieve those who had actually suffered. I repeat that too much praise cannot be given for the able manner in which Portugal is handling the whole matter.

The last earthquake shock felt in Lisbon occurred in August, 1903, but was much less severe than this. Prior to that there was a shock in 1859. I have spoken with two gentlemen who were then here and they tell me it was not anything as severe as this. The whole lower city is built on made ground, filled in after the great earthquake of 1755, and in case of a severe shock great damage might be done there, but the new city is built on rock and all houses are built with a special view to withstanding earthquake shocks, having a skeleton of peculiarly and skillfully interlaced timbers that gives great elasticity and at the same time resistance.

While writing this I learn that the Portuguese Red Cross is already sending in stretchers and ambulances with the wounded from the villages to be taken care of in the Lisbon hospitals, and that doctors and nurses are now busily at work in the field. Thousands are still thronging the parks and wider avenues, but confidence is being gradually restored.

Examination of this Consulate yesterday revealed that the heavy moulded ceiling in the main business office is very badly cracked and a portion several feet square is liable to fall at any moment. The whole ceiling will probably have to be taken down. One of the large windows is also somewhat sprung. These damages are examples of the results of the shock in this city.

I do not believe that any foreign relief will be required and, should it be, our legation here would of course be the proper and natural channel by which such information would be forwarded. I have wished only to give a brief notice of the most salient features of the catastrophe, but could not refrain from saying an appreciative word regarding the splendid manner in which the calamity has been met, and I have had some experience in such things.

As later information the press told of much distress in spite of all the work done by the Portuguese Government and the Red Cross. The American Red Cross, through its representative in the State Department, Mr. Huntington Wilson, requested information as to whether any assistance would be accepted by the Portuguese Red Cross.

On May 17th the following reply was received from the American Minister at Lisbon: “Portuguese Red Cross accepts proffered assistance.” On receipt of this information the following message was sent to the Secretary of State:

“Will the Secretary of State please telegraph to the American Minister in Lisbon for, the Red Cross, as follows: ‘Draw for one thousand dollars and pay to Portuguese Red Cross for earthquake relief, contribution of American Red Cross.’”

Our American Red Cross has not forgotten the fact, not generally known, that during the Spanish-American war the Portuguese Red Cross sent to the then president of the American Red Cross $1,465.00 for the care of our sick and wounded.

Lisbon, May 25, 1909.

THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen—I am directed by the Central Committee of the Portuguese Red Cross Society, Lisbon, to present to the American National Red Cross, Washington, our most earnest thanks for your kind and valuable contribution of $1,000.00 for our Earthquake Relief Fund, this sum having been forwarded in a draft signed by His Excellency Col. Charles Page Bryan, American Minister, Lisbon.

The receipt of said sum has been acknowledged by means of our local press and duly appreciated by our citizens as an eloquent proof of your sympathy towards the poor victims of the disaster, and was, at same time, of invaluable benefit to sufferers.

I avail myself of this opportunity to assure you of my high consideration.

PELA SOCIEDADE PORTUGUEZA DA CRUZ VERMELHA,
G. L. Santon Terreira, Secretary.