Horror of Italian Catastrophe Increasing Every Hour
THE WEATHER
Fair tonight and tem
perature near 32; fair to
morrow.
VOLUME XX, No. 14.
50,000 Reported Buried
in Ruins of Italy’s Quake
Heaviest Casualties at Avezzano, Where Town
is Thought Completely Razed—Earthquake
Zone Extends For 300 Miles—Mountain Vil
lages Destroyed—Whole Kingdom Plunged in
Mourning—Troops Rushed to Atflicted Dis
tricts—Special Trains on Way With Doctors
and Supplies
{ London, 4:27 p. m.—A n6ws dispatch re
ceived here from Rome says that the members
of the chamber of deputies for Lipari has tele
graphed to the capital that the disaster of yes
terday surpasses the Messina catastrophe. The
ruin is more widespread and the injury to life
and limb will be greater.
Rome, 1:15 p. m. —Official reports receiv
ed from Avezzano declare that the dead in that
city and in its vicinity in the earthquake yester
day number more than 15,000 persons.
London, 12:40 p. m.— A news agency de
spatch from Rome says that a further distinct
earth shock was felt in Rome about three o’clock
this morning. In several quarters of the city the
people fled from their houses into the open air.
*
HORROR INCREASES.
Rome.—AVfth every hour, as additional and more accurate details are
received, the horror jf yesterday's earthquake increases, threatening to
place it in the list of similar catastrophes in Europe second only to the
Messina disaster of 1908.
BEFORE DAY ENDS.
The list of dead, dying and Injured has Increased from a relatively
small figure last night to more than 60,000. according to an official an
nouncement today, and it is expected that this number may grow before
the day is over.
The full extent of the property loss has not yet been determintd.
IN ROME.
In Rome priceless statues, century-old buildings and structures that
for years have been the mecca of all visitors, have been destroyed pr in
jured. Though the loss of life and possibly the damage may be less
than it was in 1908, the area of disturbance greatly exceeds the Messina
earthquake. It covers the whole central portion of Italy, extending from
Naples on the south to Ferrera on the north.
ESTIMATES DEAD AT 15,000.
London (7:35 a. m.) —The Express, in an edition issued at 7 o'clock
today, estimates the dead at Avezzano, Italy, as a result of the earth
quake, at 15,000.
The correspondent of The Express in Rome, in his story of the earth
quake, says that the shocks were felt with varying results throughout the
whole district between Rome and Naples. In Rome, he declares, it is es
tablished that there was no loss of life, although many ancient works
and buildings were severely damaged.
ENTIRELY DESTROYED.
"The serious loss of life occurred outside of Rome,” The Express
correspondent continues, "especially in the mountain towns on the road
to Naples. The towns entirely destroyed include Bussi, Sourcola, Ca
pelle, Magliano, and Capadocia. The shock was severe in Naples but the
damage is slight.
"The heaviest casualties undoubtedly occurred at Avezzano, where
15,000 persons are reported buried in the ruins.
Rushing Troops.
London, 7:40 a. m.—" Troops are be
ing rushed to the afflicted districts.
There is need for the quickest assist
ance, owing to the fact that snow cov
ers the country and blocks the roads.
Communication over the entire wreck
ed section is exceedingly difficult.
■‘King Victor Emmanuel is leaving
Rome at once for the afflicted dis
trict.”
Reported Razed.
According to the Rome correspon
dent of The Daily News there is still
no news from Avezzano, which is re
ported razed to the ground.
The railways In the stricken district
are wellnigh useless. The Daily Mali's
correspondent says, as the bridges and
tunnels were destroyed and the tracks
broken and covered with debris. The
highways are impassable owing to the
heavy snowfall.
Work of Relief.
The officials in Rome make no ef
fort to estimate the extent of the
damage In the provinces, the corre
spondent says. They are bending all
their energies to hasten the work of
relief.
DESTRUCTION COMPLETE.
ROME (via London, 4:47 p. m.)—The
destruction of the town of Avezzano, a
community of some 15,000 people in Aquila
province, by the earthquake yesterday is
virtually complete. There is good authori
ty for the statement that not more than ten
per cent of the population survived the dis
aster.
THE AUGUSTA HERALD
——-i:—Z=Z THE ONE PAPER IN MOST HOMES THE ONLY PAPER IN MANY HOMES
The loss of life in the vicinity of
Rome, it is estimated by The Daily
Mail's correspondent, Is about 100.
Adespatch from Rome to The Daily
News gives the following official
statement, issued there regarding the
earthquake:
Badly Damaged.
"The district of Sulmona is badly
damaged and the victims are numer
ous. Twenty persons were killed and
many injured at Vilalago. Rescue
work has been started at Popoli and
Pentina, where many houses are dam
aged.
"The damage is extensive at Aquila
and Isola Delliri and seven other small
towns In the province of Rome.
Fear for Towns.
“The village of Sora has been razed
to the ground.
"At Sulmona, the barracks, St.
Dominic’s church and many houses
collapsed, while others threaten to
fall.
“Doss of life is feared at Chietl,
Teramo and other towns In Abruzzl.”
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 14, 1915.
DEAD,
HURT
50,000,
ITALY
Rome.—B:4s A. M.— The
victims of the earthquake
disaster, according to latest
reports received here, num
ber about 50,000, including
dead and wounded.
Train Is Found.
Rome.—A railroad train which yes
terday was reported missing has been
found near Avezzano. It had run off
the tracks.
There Is nothing like satisfactory
communication with the stricken dis
trict and consequently exact figures as
to the losses in lives and property are
Impossible to obtain. Railroad traffic
between Avezzano and Tagliacozzo
still is interrupted.
Grave reports are coming in from
Buzzi, Popoli, Cocullo, Hansio, Ocre,
Pagnacia. Pescina. Aversa. Sourcola,
Magliano and Cappa Docia.
At Extinct Volvano.
The center of the disturbance ap
pears now to have been the extinct
(Continued from Preceding Page).
COTTON CARGO
ON NEWBASIC
Washington.—The State Depart
ment is trying to arrange with the
British government for the immediate
dispatch of the steamship Dacia from
Port Arthur, Texas, to Rotterdam,
with a cargo of cotton on the basis of
a temporary voyage. The question of
principle of the right of transfer of
belligerent-owned ships to American
registry will be waived if the Dacia
is privileged to make this one voy
age free from seizure.
Crisis a( Hand,
Austro-Hungary
London, 12:40 p. m.— The principal
feature of today’s news In J,ondon is
the resignation of Vount von Berch
toid, the Austrian foreign minister.
Some maintain that his action Indi
cates that a crisis in the affairs of the
dual monarchy is at hand. Others sug
gest that the appointment of Baron
Stephen Burian von Rajecz to Von
Berchtoid's place 1s a move to plaace
he dlssalsfled Hungarians.
Turk Continues,
Persia Invasion
London, 12:30 p. rrv— Today’s dla
paches from Petrograd say that the
Turkish invasion of Persia continues
and that the Turks are penetrating
farthe Into the country. The Russians
still claim to hold the upper hand in
he fighting In the Caucasus, in th*
vicinity of Kara-TTrgan, but the lark
of details suggests that the battle
which has now been In progress for
seven days, has not yet resulted de
cisively for either side.
ONE OF AVEZZANO’S FEW SURVIVORS
SAYS IMMENSE CLOUD OF DUST ROSE
AFTER SHOCK, SKY WHOLLY VEILED
London, 4:27 p. m. —An employee of the municipality of Avezzano, one
of the few survivors of the city, says the dead include the sub-prefect and
members of his family; the whole staff of the prefecture; the staff of
the law courts; the mayor and all the members of the municipal council.
Ninety-five of the one hundred soldiers who comprised the local garri
son, four of the seven customs officials and eight of the nine local po
licemen perished.
This man was on the street when the shock came. To him It seamed
as if everything fell to pieces at once. An immense cloud of dust arose
from the ruins and completely veiled the sky. The few survivors of
AVezzano assembled in Torlonla Square. Suffering from ehock, if not
from actual wounds, they were not capable of helping the Injured burled In
the ruins.
The King Who Knows No Fear
y . v SAabSgSKx NViuxlla&xY.. ~'L.
mi,
{jSßjHßfip . c > g&£BG&
KING ALBERT IN THE TRENCHES WITH HIS MEN.
Other rulers have visited the fight- i
ing fronts of the great struggle, but
King Albert has actually ILrei in the
trenches with his men. This picture I
was taken upon an occasion of a visit |
BLEASE RESIGNS
AS GOV. OF S, C.
Quick Acceptance of Tender by
the State Senate. Lieut-Gov.
Smith Immediately Sworn in
for Unexpired Term. No Rea
son Given for Action.
Columbia, 8. C.—Ooverno Coleman
Livingston Blease today filed his res
ignation with tlie secretary of state,
to take effect immediately. Governor
Blease's terms would have expired
Jan. 19. His resignation reached the
state senate shortly after one o’clock
and was imedlately accepted. Lieu
tenant Governor Charles A. Smith
then took the oath of office as govern
or for the unexpired term.
No Reason Given.
No reason for the governor’s action
was given in the document, worded
with unusual brevity. His resigna
tion simply stated:
"Hon. R. M. McCnwn, Secretary of
State: 1 hereby resign my office as
governor of South Carolina.”
Intense excitement was caused in
the general assembly, then In Joint
session for the purpose of electing a
Judge of the fifth Judicial circuit.
Though from no official source
could the statement be confirmed, It
was generally stated in the legislative
halls that Gov. Blease resigned be
cause he did not "like the personnel
of the legislature.” The present body
is known to be almost unanimously
and bitterly opposed to him.
Impeachment Proceedings,
Gov. Blease was this morning In
formed of a meeting of member* of
the legislature Tuesday night when
the proposal o$ instituting Impeach
ment proceeding against him was
considered hut abandoned because of
Its "Impracticability,” according to
membei s of the conference
to the trenches when he presented
each man with a warm rug, the gift,
of Queen Elizabeth. He greets the
men with a cheery smile and per
sonally comforts them.
MOST PITIABLE
IS CONDITION
OF SURVIVORS
Rom*. —Troops are arriving con
stantly to assist In the work of rescue
st Avazzano. The survivors are In a
pitiable condition. Scarcely one Is
without relatives burled under tho
ruins of the town.
The streets are nothing more than
huge piles of stone and hrlck. Through
that the resellers are digging wherever
they have reason to believe they may
find survivors. Their work Is enorm
ously difficult.
The towns of Hamtollno, Paterno,
Cenchlo, Collarmele, Pi scina a.nd Han
Benedetto also are In large measure
destroyed.
WHEATRECDBD
Chicago.—Exporters purrbaser* of
spring wheat swept the wheat market
today to a new high record war level
of prices. May wheat easily reached
$1.42 3-8 a bushel.
PROBE ALLEGED FRAUD IN
RE-ELECTION ‘UNCLE JOE’
Washington, D. C. Federal Attor
ney Kareh, of the eastern district of
Illinois, has been authorized to begin
an Investigation of published charges
that frauds were committed in the
eighteenth Illinois district In the fall
elections, when Former Speaker Gan
non was returned to congress.
Officials of the Department of Jus
tice know little about the matter ex
cept published reports that several
hundred voters went to the 18th Illi
nois dlsrict from Terre Haute, Ind., Just
across the state line
STEADY IMPROVEMENT.
Washington, D. C. —Business
conditions' In the United States
are steadily Improving President
Wilson was told today by John H.
Fahey,' president of the Chamber
of I‘ommerce of the United States.
Mr Fahey said some business was
still depressed but that general
confidence had been restored and
undoubtedly was having a good
effect
$6.00 PER YEAR—FIVE CENTS PER COPY,
VON KLUCK COMMANDS
AT ‘SPUR 132’ FIGHT
Furious Is
Fighting,
Poland
Petrograd, via Yondon, 3:10 p. m.—
Furious fighting has boon resumed in
Russian Poland. The Russian forces
in the north, which arc pushing to
ward Fast Prussia, in the region near
Mlawa, have captured a number of
villages.
In the center the Germans have
made four violent attacks within the
last -18 hours. They forced back the
Russians and occupied considerable
ground.
RUIN or MANY
ITU TOWNS
BTEARTHQUAKE
Rome.—At Horn, a town of 8,000
population In the province of Caserta,
victims of the earthquake are estimat
ed at 400. The town was much dam
aged. Two-thirds of the houses were
razed, while many others were so
damaged they will have to he pulled
down. The Rossi Palace is ruined.
Twenty workmen are hurled In the
wreckage.
Practically Deatroyed.
The towns of Avezzano, Cnppelle,
Magliano, Marßo, Massadalbe, Collar
mele, Cerchio, Celano, Belli, Puterno,
Han Feline. Gtosnmarst, Hoereoln, Cup-
Istrello, Antrosano and <7aetronovme
have been practically destroyed.
Seriously Damaged.
Peselna, Ortonamarsl San Benedetto,
Orthucchio, Cocullo, Blscgna, Balsar
ano. Castro, Clvltelladanllno, Castella
fiuml, Pagllotra, and Horbo received
serious damage.
Tagliacozzo, Ovuedoli, Cappa Doccia,
Santo Marie, I’ogglo, Flllppl, San Do
nato, Han Stefano, Rocacerro, Oarsolt,
l'eraoluco and 'J’rasaceo were all mors
or less damaged.
THE KAISER IS
DIRECTING TOE
SOISSONS EOT
London (3:00 p. m.) —Within a two
hour motor ride of Paris, Emperor
William Is directing a violent attack
on the French line. The Germans, un
der the eyes of their ruler, won an
important victory in the fighting yes
terday near Holssons, the point at
which the battle line, stretching down
from the north to the point nearest
Paris, turns to the eastward.
The Berlin statement today says
that the Germans, charging through
heavy mud, took trench after trench,
cltaring the heights and capturing 1,-
130 prisoners.
TWELVE MILUON DOLLARS
BE LENT TO RUSSIA BY
MORGAN & CO.
Petrograd, 3:40 p. m. Several new
York bankers Including .1. P. Morgan
* Company, have agreed to lend th*
Russian government $12,000,000, ac
cording to an official announcement
today The amount, is subject to
draft by Russia at ons, two or three
months at 4 1-2 per cent, with s. half
of one per cent additional for aecep
ance.
Prominent Petrograd bankers say
that is a forerunner of further credits
to be extended Russia by American
financiers.
After Deep Rumbling, His Horses
Stood Trembling, Then Roar of
Tailing Houses and Frantic Cries
Rome, 2:50 a. m.—A driver who left Avezzano shortly before the earth
quake told of his experiences when he reached Rome early today. His
first Intimation of trouble was when Ills horses suddenly balked They
stood trembling, and simultaneously the driver heard a deep rumbling.
Three minutes later the standing walls of some quarries had crumbled.
CALLED ON THE BAINTS
From Avezzano there came cries of frightened people Amid the roar
of falling houses could he heard the voices of women calling on the saints
to help them. The city was under a cloud of dust. Tv the driver it look
ed as If the earth had opened to emit columns of white smoke.
BLINDED BY DUBT.
The young man tried to drive hack to Avezzano, but hs made no head
way. Ho nnd his horses were blinded by the <lust. Boon he saw survi
vors struggling to flee from the city. Many were hurt. Some were so
veak they fell by the roadside The objective of the refugees wss the
rhllroad station which was soon crowded with half frantic men. women
nnd children. Before the driver left the vicinity organized efforts wera
being made to convey the most severely wounded to nearby hospitals.
HOME
EDITION
Struggle For Hill in France Re
mains Undecided—Heavy Re
inforcements For Both Sides.
Defeat May Reshape Entire
Battle Line
BATTLE DEVELOPS INTO
UNEXPECTED PROPORTIONS
Losses Heavy. Germans Show
No Sign of Giving Up and Ap
pear to Be in Better Positions
London, 12:35 p. m.—Like tire stub
bornly contested buttle In early days
of the war on which hinged the Ger
man occupation of West Flanders, the
struggle for the knoll of ground north
east of HolsmoUh, known as "Spur 132, 1 '
remained undecided today according to
Information received in London.
1 1) Better Poeitione.
The Germans, however, by their
counter attacks appear to be in bet
ter position eastward of the spur. In
view of Hie relatively small amount
of ground gained, the lueses have been
heavy on both sides, but the Germane
show no signs of giving up their at
tempts to retake the hill.
General Von Kluok There.
It is said General Von Kluck him
self Is now in command of the Ger
man forces, which would seem to lift
the battle out of the ordinary run of
conflicts along the western front. Far
ther east near I’erthes, where another
sharp fight continues, the situation lias
not changed materially, judging from
dispatches.
ALL BUT 4 OE
400 KILLED IN
TAKINGTABfIIZ
Quartette of Survivors of Per
sian Ouard Tell of Fighting
Turks For Ten Hours
Pstrograd (via London, 9:16 a. m.)—
The correspondent of Tho Bourse Ga
zette at Tlflis sends a statement made
to him by Bchodja Ed Daculeh, form-,
or governor of Azerhljan, Persia, who
has arrived In Tlflis. He Is one of
four survivors of a guard of 400 horse
men who defended the bridge at th*
entrance to Mtandoab, "the gateway
of Persia.” He fought the Turks for
ten hours, enabling refugees to escape
to Marngha, fifty miles south of Ta
briz. All Christians who remained in
Mlandoab, he stated, were massacred.
By Quick Firers.
"When I heard that the Turk* were
advancing,” ho said, ”1 posted I,soo
troops in one of the Mlandoab forte
end 1,200 In another. I myself with
400 relatives and friends fought a
hopeless battle st the bridge until ail
but four were killed by th* Turks’
quick-firers. I then fled on horse
back from Tabriz to Julfa.
’’All the members of the consulates
and banks esesped from Tabriz.”
BRITISOIOiS
ON ANTWERP
Amsterdam, (via London 8:30 P. M.)
The Telegrsaf In Its Issue of today
ssys It has leafrnsd thst British aviator*
last Monday dropped bombs on th* Ger
man positions at Antwerp. Th# dam
age Inflicted ha* not been learned.
$2,000,000 GEMS FAILURE.
Turin, Italy, 8:30 s. m.—-The Franco
firm, dealer* In precious stones, went
Into bankruptcy today. There Is a
deficit of $2,000,000, It Is stated In the
papers, due to the arrest of trade with
Belgium, especially with Antwerp
which place It Is Impossible to exact
debts.
