File No. 814.48/5

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My December 26, 6 a.m. Shocks continue without intermission. City rapidly being demolished. No definite reports, but death toll estimated between ten and forty, and no foreigners this number. Wireless, cable and telegraph have been interrupted. Expect resumption of service today. Railroad to Puerto Barrios cut by slide, Consulate damaged, Legation becoming badly damaged, martial law to be declared. Troops patrolling city and order prevails. President Cabrera received me this morning and I offered condolences for disaster and proffered services in organizing and maintaining relief work. City is terribly shattered and many hundreds homeless. Eye witnesses state this much worse than Salvador disaster.

Thurston