Newspaper Page Text
THE WEATHER
Fair tonight and Sat-
I urday.
OLUME XX, No. 15.
AMBASSADOR PAGE
REPORTS THE DEAD,
SERIOUSLY INJURED,
AT 30,000 PERSONS
l\iews of Earthquake Disaster Coming in Slowly—Days Be
fore Exact Figures Available—Sixty Towns in All Suffered
Demolition or Damage—Thousands of Troops Work Night
and Day in Succor—United States Ambassador Ready to
Appoint American Relief Board
Washington.—Dispatches from Ambassador Page, at Rome place
the dead between 12,000 and 15,000 and the seriously injured at about
the same number.
The ambassador said he had inquired of the Italian government if
aid were needed, but was told that Italy was not accepting assistance
from any foreign country. No Americans have so far been reported
among the victims. *
Rome. Constantly shifting estimates, based on incoming reports, now
place the death toll from Wednesday’s earthquake at 20,000 and the in
jured at a number ir, excess of thirty-five thousand.
Hundreds—possibly thousands—of victims remain buried alive, im
prisoned oy the wreckage of their homes while rescuers from every walk
of life struggle desperately to dig them out.
BOTH DESTROYED.
The principal loss of life and Piobably the chief property damage ap
pears to have occurred in Avezzano and the town of Sora, i 5 miles away
Both municipalities were destroyed and their populations virtually wiped
out. Latest reports placS the number of dead in Avezzano at ten thous
and and in Sora at four thousand. In sixty other towns affected more than
6,000 have been killed. From those towns come the majority of the in
jured. In Avezzano and Sora almost every one was killed.
MAGNITUDE INCREASES.
London, 4:32 p. m.—The Exchange Telegraph Company has received a
message from its Rome correspondent who says that the magnitude of
the Italian disaster increases as further news from the devastated area is
received.
The casualties at Magliano-di-Marsi are estimated at 1,300 out of a
population of 1,500. At Pesoini, 4,000 persons are reported killed, and the
number of dead at San Benedetto is given as 3,000.
ALL HAVE PERISHED.
London.—All the people of the village of Capelle are believed to be
buried in the ruins of their homes. The entire population of Albaufesnes
*»i?80 is believed to have perished, and out of 500 inhabitants in the vil
lage of Lese 450 are said to be dead.
EVERY TOWN.
V Every town in the Livi Valley is reported to have been either totally
destroyed or seriously damaged.
Rescue work at Sora is being pushed with all possible expedition
There is however, little hope of saving any of the people alive.
I
90,000 TO 100,000.
London,—The Chronicle's Rome correspondent estimates the total
killed and injured in the Italian earthquake at between 90,000 and 100,000
A Central News dispatch from Rome estimates the number of victims
at 20,000, distributed as follows:
Avezzano, 10,000; Sora, 4,000 and elsewhere, 6,000.
Rome, (via Paris).—The Giornale d’ltalia estimates the number of
earthquake victims in the region of Avezzano and Sora at 25,000.
Sixty Towns in All.
Rome. —News from Italy’s earth
quake stricken districts still comes in
slowly, but enough is known to show
that the disaster closely approaches
that which befell Messina six years
ago. Estimates of the killed and in
jured vary from 25,000 to 50,000 and
it probably will be days before exact
figures are available.
Avezzano, sixty miles east of Rome,
and Sora, fifteen miles south of Avez
zano, were the worst sufferers so far
as loss of life was concerned. About
sixty towns and villages in all suf
fered either total demolition or se
rious damage.
Move Quickly.
The Italian government and people
have moved quickly to help the
stricken people. Thousands of troops
have been sent to the scene and the
work of rescue and relief is proceed
ing night and day. Supplies of food,
clothing, blankets and medicines have
been dispatched by train where pos
sible and by motor , cars where the
railroads are blocked.
King Victor Emmanuel is said to be
tireless in his endeavors to spur on
the rescue work and encouraging the
survivors. The king, it is stated, asks
all the abandon unnecessary formali
ties. His only wish, he says is to
visit the wounded, express his sym
pathy and ascertain what is possible
to be done to relieve so much misery.
To Stricken Districts.
Having heard that means of trans
portation are still lacking, the king
has ordered that all automobiles at
the royal palace be immediately dis
patched for use in the stricken dis
tricts.
American Ambassador Page called
at the ministry of the Interior yester
day to express America’s sympathy.
He intimated a desire to send mem
bers of the embassy staff to the earth
quake district to give such aid as
they could, and was informed that the
government would appreciate such
sympathetic initiative.
To Avezzano.
The ambassador dispatched an au
tomobile with Second Secretary Nor
val Richardson, Lieutenant Comman
der Charles Train, the naval attache
and Pilvate Secretaries John Harri
son and Marlon Elms Wyeth. They
started for the Avezzano district with
supplies which they will distribute.
The party expects to return to Rome
by Friday night.
Ambassador Page Is ready to ap
point an American relief committee,
while Mrs. Page will name a com
mittee If necessary to aid in the relief
work.
All in Ruins.
Avezzano, chief sufferer from the I
earthquake, presents a scene of wreck |
and desolation. Practically every j
building in the town is said to be in
ruins and nearly all Its people are
dead or injured. Many still are alive
buried under the debris and the res
cuers are working night and day try
ing tn reach them.
Late advices say about 500 bodies
have been recovered and that hun
dreds of injured have been taken
from the ruins. Nearly all the civil 1
officials of Avezzano, Including the
mayor, perished.
Cold and Snow.
Similar conditions exist In towns
around Avezzano. Magllano and Pes
clna are practically In ruina. Among !
the missing Is Monsignur Fagncll, the j
bishop of Pezclna
THE AUGUSTA HERALD
Cold and snow are adding to the
survivors’ sufferings. The lamenta
tions of the people, according to the
correspondents who have passed
through the district, are pitiful and
they are begging to be taken to places
where it is possible to oare for them.
Pope Offers Hospital.
Rome.—The pope offered to the
mayor of Rome the use of the hos
pital of Santa Marta with three hun
dred beds. The mayor accepted.
There has been organized in Rome a
private expedition to send out auto
mobiles loaded with relief. Over 300
carß already have left for Avezzano.
They carried blankets, medicines, food
and cordials. Among the members of
the Italian nobility active in relief
work are Prince Borghese, Prince Co
lonna, Prince Altierl and Prince Po
tenzlani.
The pope is anxious about the fate
of Monslgnor Jannotta, bishop of So
ra, from whom nothing has been
heard.
Recent reports stated thepe were
70 victims of the earthquake at Cas
telliri; 37 dead and 170 wounded at
Isola and 10 dead at Capolacroce.
There the casualties were almost all
among relatives of the local priest
BOiIELEASE;
PROM ON OIL
Washington.—Release on bond o|
Bhi pH detained in British prize courts
will be permitted by the British *ov
ernment if the Judge of the court In
willing, according to a statement is
sued today by the British embassy.
Urgent Protest.
Washington.—The British ambassa
dor made urgent representations to
the state department today against
the Carrsnza embargo on oil exports
from Tampico, from which the Brit
ish navy draws some of Its fuel.
*10,000,000 BWEDEN LOAN.
Stockholm, (via London, 2:40 p, m.)
—A new Swedish loan amounting to
110,000,000 will be Issued In a few
days.
RESCUE WORK BY TORCHLIGHT AT
AVEZZANO GHASTLY WORK; BODIES
UNRECOGNIZABLE; FROZEN IN NIGHT
Avezzano, Italy,—Rescue work In this devastated town Is becoming a
ghastly and nerve-racking task. Some of the bodies taken from the ruins
are so unrecognizable that they frequently are claimed as kinsman by
different people.
Rescue work was continued by torchlight last night and the flickering
shadows made It appear as though the walls were about to fall. Some
did collapse.
As the work proceeds It become* more and more apparent that many
of the Inhabitants did not die of injuries, but from becoming exhausted
and frozen during the long winter night. One girl who had been hanging
by her clothing for many hours from an upper floor was rescued alive.
Hount Filippo Reeta. a prominent resident of Avezzano, escarped though his
family of nine persons and two servants were burled in the collapse of
•heir dwelling.
THE ONE PAPER IN MOST HOMES THE ONLY PAPER IN MANY HOMES
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 15, 1915.
His Last Act Betore Resignation Yesterday
Was to Turn More Convicts Loose
<s\
jj
■ <• * .
COLEMAN LIVINGSTON BLEASE, EX-GOVERNOR SOUTH CAROLINA.
SMITH INAUGURATED.
Columbia, S. C/—Charles A. Smith, former lieutenant governor, but
yesterday elevated to the governorship of South Carolina by the sudden
resignation of Governor Cole L. Blease, was formally, inaugurated today
betore a joint session of the general assembly. Governor Smith's term of
office will be brief. It expires Tuesday, January 19, iy, neon, when Rich,
ard I. Manning, of Sumter, who defeated ten other candidates In tho re
cent primaries, will be inaugurated
S. C. Militia Re-organization.
Washington.—Adjutant General Moore of the South Carolina militia,
who discussed with Secretary Garrison today former Governor Blease'a
disbanding order, said he had been assured by Governor-Elect Manning
that he would do whatever he could, after his inauguration, to restore tho
guardsmen to their former status. Goneral Mooro said he believed tho
incident would be satisfactorily settled.
TURKS KILLED
GOVERNORS OF
PERSIA TOWNS
Ottoman Forces Advancing
Into Country’s Interior.
Promise to Evacuate if the
Russians Leave. Ultimatum
Has Been Sent By Persia.
London (11:05 a. m.) —Turkish troops
who recently invaded Persia are ad
vancing to the interior according to a
Teheran dispatch to Reuters Telegram
Company. The message: follows:
“It is reported that the Turks, when
they occupied Tabriz, in Azerbaijan
province, a few days ago, shot tho
Persian governors of the towns of
Soujbulak, Maragha and Bura*,
through which they passed in making
their way to Tabriz.
"The small Turkish force which
went into Tabriz is now moving in
the direction of Ispahan, in central
Persia, 200 miles south of Teheran.
It is supported by other Turkish con
tingents.”
If Russians Leave.
Teheran, Persia (vie. London, 12:40
p. m.) —The Turkish ambassador has
notified the Persian government that
the Porte Is ready to evacuate Azer
baijan province as soon as the Rus
sians definitely move out of that ter
ritory and after the heir to the throne
reaches Tabriz to assume control. The
heir is soon to leave for Tabriz.
Turkey’s note to Persia is a reply
to a Persian ultimatum demanding
that Turkish Invading forces with
draw from Persian territory.
“EARTR SEEMED
TO REAVE AND
GROW HOT”
Sensations Described By Sur
vivors---Say Earthuqake Vic
tims Number Over 30,000.
Greater if Large Cities Had
Been Affected.
Paris, 3 p. m.-The Petit Paristen’s
Rome correspondent says that the
number of earthquake victims exceeds
30,000 and that this list would have
been greater had it not been for tho
fact that no large cities were af
fected.
As to the cause of the disaster, the
Petit Parisien correspondent quotes
en eminent meteorologist as sayipg:
"The most likely hypothesis is that
continued heavy rains resulted in ni
trations which formed great bodies of
steam by contact with Incandescent
matter. Thes hypothesis seems con
firmed by the fact that the spring at
Ban Oulllario has almost doubled tho
volume of its flow since yesterday.”
Confirms Its Gravity.
Roms.—King Victor Emmanuel re
turned to Rome last night, lie eon
firmed the gravity of the disaster and
expressed admiration for the efficient
work of the Italian soldiers. More
troops have been ordered Into the
earthquake zone.
Witnessed Extrications.
He promised the wounded assist
ance. He witnessed the extrication of
a girt, gave directions for her succor
and the next moment was sending or
ders for the dispatch of more help and
provisions to Avezzano.
Some of the survivors there have
not sufficiently recovered from shock
to tell a connected story of the earth
quake. ' .
One man who was taken yesterdAy
from a ruin, said:
Thrown to Ground.
"I had a sensation as though some
one was forcing me to dance. Then
I was thrown to the ground and the
roof and walla fell upon my head.
Ezen after I was half hurled the earth
seemed to heave and grow hot.'*
NEW WHEAT RECORD
Chicago. Wheat. prl> e* beached
new war time records today, the May
option selling at *1.44 %aVfc. There
appeared to he no limit on demand for
ocean shipment, despite the supposed
scarcity of steamers.
AVEZZANO, ITALY,
ONE IMMENSE
CEMETERY
Young Women Buried in Sem
inary’s Ruins. “There Are
140 of Us Alive Here, Help
Us Quickly,” is Frantic Ap
peal.
Paris (4:50 a. m.) —King Victor Em
manuel arrived In Rome front Avoz
zano Inst night, says the Rome cor
respondent of the Havas Agency. In
three cars atached to his special train
were 40 badly injured persons. Three
died on the journey.
The Havas correspondent at Avez
zano wires that Deputies Blssoiati,
Chlaravlgiio, Federmeoti and Colli
have arrived there to examine the sit
uation. They found that all the streets
had been blotted out and that the
principal Equate alone was distinguish
able.
Fearful Scenes.
London, 10 a. m. Rescuers working
by torchlight tolled all night amidst
the ruins of Avezzano, says a Rome
dispatch from the Stefani Agency but
the work is necessarily slow becauso
of the great amount of wreckage.
Firemen from Rome are centering
their efforts about the girls’ school In
which so many of the pupils are bu
ried. They recovered one living child
and one bojly.
King Victor Emmanuel departed
from Avezzano last night but the min
ister of public works, the under sec
retary of stute and other officials re
mained.
Frantic Calls.
London, 5:14 a. m. -The Central
News publishes a dispatch from Romo
giving the recital of an Avezzano re
fugee.
"I can best describe Avezzano by
calling it an Immense cemetery,” the
man said. “From the ruins of the
college for young women we heard a
frantic appeal for help. ‘There are
140 of us still alive here; help us
quickly.’ Soldiers and civilians rush
ed to the scene and when I left were
doing their best to cut a way through
the mass of ruins.
Twenty Other Towns.
"I believe .hat twenty other towns
suffered severely. These include Ce
lano with 20,000 Inhabitants.”
The dlreetors of the otiservatory at
Rome declared the earthquake was
the most severe that ever had been
recorded on his Instruments. At least
150 large panes of glass In Rt. Peters,
forty-six of which ore In the dome
were broken. The quake nlso ci us
ed deep cracks In the masonry of the
stairway lending to the huge hall on
the top of the home. The statue of
Ihe Redeemer, standing on top of the
facade was damaged.
Collapse Feared.
The Popolo Gate designed by Mi
chael Angelo, lias been shoved up. Its
collapse is feared.
Latest available reports say there
are fifty dead at Torre Caetani and
twenty at Vilalgo, and that in the val
ley of the River Garliano there are
about 200 victim*.
RUSSIANS RAIN
UN THE VISTULA
Important Bodies Push North
From Warsaw in Movement
Towards East Prussia Frontier
London, 2:10 p. m.—Today’s dis
patches Indicate that Petrograd la
confident that the Herman offensive In
Poland has spent Its force and the
war office announces that Russian
forces have made gains along tho
Vistula, fleneral von Hlndenhurg's
troops nr# now occupying strongly
entrenched position. however, and
there are no Indication that they ato
threatened seriously by the Russian
attacks.
North From Warsaw.
Petrograd, (via London.) Important
bodies of Russian troops have pushed
northward from Warsaw In the move
ment. toward the westward end of the
east Prussian frontier. They have re
occupied several villages between
Mlawa and Przansnysz hitherto held
by the Hermans
Russian newspapers print, state
ments based on what they say is In
formation from Herman sources to tho
effect that the Herman staff is pre
paring public opinion for the wlth
ilraway of the Herman troops from the
Warsaw district.
THE PIPE VISITS
QUUKIJPS
Rom«.—Horn* of the newspapers on
nnunre that Pop* Benedict, In visiting
the woundnd at the Hants Marta hos
pltal, left the Vatican, thus Interrupt
ing the traditional Imprisonment of
the pop* always adhered to by Popes
t'lua IX, la'o, and Plus X, after the
Pill of the temporal power, meaning
thua to proteat against the occupa
tion of Rome.
In reality the pontiff did not leave
the Vatican hut pausing through the
hposrollc palace Inalde of HI, Potera
h« reached the hospital without torch
ing Italian soil. Mis predecessor did
the same thing when he visited the
wounded brought to Hunts Marta hos
pital after the Messina earthquake.
$6.00 PER YEAR—FIVE CENTS PER COPY,,
BATTERING TACTICS
STILL BY VON KLUCK
GERMANS CONCENTRATING
IN NARROW POLAND ZONE
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WITH 500,000 MEN.
Within circle from Sochaczew to
Bollmzow, Is where the Germans have
ci ncentrated for a heavy attack
Within this narrow zone they have
concentrated a half million men. Dur
ing the last week they crossed the
River Radka; and are on the easterly
bank. Holimok is the real objective
point of the attack.
BRITISH ADVANCE
IT IN FIERCE
ITTK
Paris (5:45 a. m.) —The Havas
Agency has received a despatch from
Ht. Omar dated Jan. 10, which relates
a British victory and an advance near
Laßaaaee of one mile. The message
follows;
"Tho British, by an Impetuous at
tack. stormed the strongly entrenched
Uenuap ijusltlon near- Laßaaaee at 2
o’clock this afternoon after a vigorous
preliminary shelling. This Is an Im
portant strategic point and Its oocupa-,
tlon represents an advance of one mile.
Tho British losses were slight hut the
Germans lost heavily. Many Germans
were taken prisoners."
450 CORPSES IN
SORA ALONE
Bora, Italy (via. Paris, 2:05 a. m.) —
Numerous detachments of soldiers
have arrived here to assist In the res
cue wtirk and guard property.
The houses In the town have not all
been destroyed, hut most of those still
standing threaten to collapse.
Up to the present time more than
450 bodies have been taken from the
ruins and large numbers of Injured
persons have also been rescued. The
Injured are being cared for In booths
and tents outside the lowns. The mili
tary and rommiifinl authorities are di
recting the work of rescue.
U. S. S. Kansas Not
Seriously Hurt
Washington,—Official reports today
stated that damage to the battleship
Kansas, which fought a heavy gale
off the Carolina const Wednesday
night, while extensive was not se
rious.
Secretary Daniels today ordered the
Kansas hack to the Philadelphia navy
yard from Norfolk for repairs, which
It Is estimated will take from five to
fifteen days. The report from Cap
tain Bryan says the storm tore away
some of the stanchions and some
range finders, part of the genr on tho
bridge and some of the rails. The
Kansas was on her way from Phila
delphia to Norfolk.
Reason Why U. S.
Ships Detained
London, 8:20 a. m.— The American
Ht earner Kdward Pierce, which left
New York for Copenhagen November
25th and reached Falmouth December
1 14th, was detained five days because
I the destination of her cargo of oil was
i questioned.
| The American steamer Oeo. Hawley,
which left New York November ISth,
for Copenhagen was detained at Fal
mouth for three weeks because she
carried 500 barrels of oil which the
British officials suspected was Intend
ed for fierrnany.
COACH FOR PENNBY.
Philadelphia. Richard Harley, the
j former National League outfielder who
coached the Georgetown University
baseball team In 1913, yesterday sign
ed a contract to coach the Pennsylva
nia Hlate College team. He succeeds
Walter Manning and will take charge
of the candidates on February Ist.
HOME
EDITION
French Forced Back Across
the Aisne By German Com
mander, But Have Not Re
covered All of Lost Ground
SNOW IN THE VOSGES AND
FLANDERS FLOODS STOP
BATTLES SAVE SOISSONS’
Italy Giving No Thought to
War By Earthquake Disaster.
Expected to Join Allies Later.
London, 12:10 p. m.—The violent
German attack north of Solssons un
der direction of General von Kluck,
which, coupled with a flood stage of
the river, has forced the French back
across the AiHne is the most striking
news of the last 24 hours from the
seat of wur. The Germans have been
gaining in that locality for several
days but they had not recovered all
of the ground they lost. The engage
ment north of Solsaons is the first
notable fighting thereabout since last
September when the British army,
which subsequently transferred to
Belgium was successful in crossing
tho Aisne.
Hammering Again.
Hnow In the Vosges Mountains and
floods in Flanders still prevent any
extonsive operations on the eastern
or western wings and to British ob
servers it appears as though the Sols-
Hons district had been selected for the
point where, with reinforcements and
first line troops the Germans are
planning to display once more the
hammering tactics so familiar during
(he autumn. On the other hand, some
war experts contend the operations at
Hoissons may have been undertaken
to compel the allies to lessen pressure
In Alsace.
No Change in Eait.
There has been no change of Im
portance in the east.
Italy has been Momentarily dis
tracted from thougnts of war by tho
earthquake. The assertion is still
made in London that the allies con
fidently expect Italy to Join them In
due time.
LA FAYETTE AIDED
U. S. AND GARIBALDI
FRANCE, SAY JAPS
Tokio, 9:46 p. m.—Promoters In Ja
pan of what has been called the vol
unteer movement have announced
their Intention of dispatching an army
corps to Europe. To that end they
are appealing to Japanese and for
eigners for funds.
The manifesto says that as La
-1 Fayette helped the United States and
Harlhaldl helped France, so the Jap
anese wished to assist the allies to
terminals the misery of war.
SHOT WIFE, KILLB BELF.
Montclair, N. J.—James Hutchins,
of Pittsburg shot anil mortally wound
ed his wife. Ida, then committed sui
cide hero early today. Hutchins had
followed his wife here from Pitts
burg where she rejoined him a month
ago, after a reconciliation, having
notified her. It was said, that he was
coming to kill her because she refused
lo live with him.
*1,000,000 DYEBTUFFB.
New York.—fine million dollars’
worth of dyestuffs from Germany was
the cargo of the steamer Matanzas
which arrived here last night from
Rotterdam.
CHEER UP!
GET BUSY!
BIRNB OF THE TIMF.B.
In Its Issue of last Wednesday
"The Pittsburg Post” describes the
situation In that locality as fol
lows:
There were nearly a dosen Items
In the newspapers yesterday show
ing Improvement In this territory.
The big plant of the Pittsburg
Steel Company at Monessen Is
operating In full, giving employ
ment to 5,000 men; Improvements
aggregating more than $1,000,000,
anticipating boom orders, are be
ing made at Iron and steel works.
In the Youngstown district; ths
West i.eechburg Hteel Company's
mill has resumed In full, giving
work to 750 men; several thou
sand more men are returning to
work this week In the Wheeling
district; similar reports come from
mills In this city. McKeesport,
Homestead and other nearby
towns. The same encouraging
conditions are found In practically
every part of this country. The
monthly tonnage statement of the
United Htates Hteel Corporation
Is expected to show an Increase of
about 400,000 tons In unfilled or
ders for December. The Penn
sylvania railroad Is asking bids
on steel, and the Baltimore and
Ohio announces an Important pro
gram of expenditures.
Hern we have facts of prosperity
Instead of prophecies of It. Taks
stok of how others about you ars
beginning to hustle In the words
of Secretary Redfleld, "If you want
prosperity you must do your
share; get that addition to your
shop going, make needed Im
provements now when you can gst
the workmen, start things before
conditions get the start of you."
The outlook justifies the fullest
uonflder.ee.