New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-10
MOB CHOLERA HOSPITAL
People of Italian Town Object to
Sanitary Measures.
TROOPS ORDERED TO SCENE
Crowds Attack Pest House and
Take Patients Through the
Streets Amid Rioting.

Chiasso. Switzerland. Sept 9.-Gioa del
Cole city with a population OF 5000. in
the Italian province OF Bari della Puglie.
has. according to Official adyices received
here been the scene Of savage excuses IN
consequence OF the cholera epidemic now
raging in Italy.
The disease is said 10 have reduced the
inhabitants Of Gioia del Cole 10 frenzied
state. The authorities. In an effort 10
stamp out the Infection. ordered that all
persons attacked by cholera should be
taken 10 a hospital and those who had
teen In contact with cholera victims he
Isolated In a neighboring building.
The population. made mad by these sanl-
tary measures and being convinced that IL
was the intention OF the authorities TO XIII
the patients and also those under observa-
ton. gathered 10 the number or several
thousand for the purpose OF migrating their
relatives and friends
The hospital was stormed and the build
ing threatened with incendiary destruction
should the mob be interfered with In re-
leasing the cholera stricken inmates
4 small force OF carabineers. aided by
few policemen. attempted to control the
demonstrators soon made it apparent TO
the authorities that the police were made
ouate 10 cope with the situation. and In
order to avoid boodshed the doors of the
hospital were thrown open.
Crowds Take Out Patients.
The crowds rushed into the building. took
out the cholera patients and carried them,
in CHASTITY procession. through the town.
The thoroughfares We're lined with people.
VINO acclaimed the cholera victims and
shouted imprecatons against the govern
ment The cholera suspects under ooserva-
ton were also set free amid similar scenes
81 frantic enthusiasm enacted by the peo-
PIE.
The Italian government has dispatched
! troops TO Gioia Je cole. with instructions
; 10 combat the demonstrators, whose ac-
lion, in seriously menacing the health OF
the community have greatly aroused the
authorities.
Attempt to Burn Hospital.
Scenes similar 20 those witnessed al Gioia
del cole also are reported from Mascara,
q town in the Italian province o. Lecee.
crowd attacked the hospital. bowling down
the government The hospital authorities
raised barricades. but these We're easily
overthrown. The crowd piled burning wood
against the building and smashed In the
doors with axes.
When further resistance was impossible
the doctors and nurses escaped from rear
windows by ropes. but were pursued by
the rioters. Stones were thrown, and one
of the doctors vas dangerously wounded.
All 81 them. however. made their escape
on engines found at the station. Although
III police and carabineers offered only pas
sive resistance To the mob, six OF them
were wounded.
When the rioters entered the hospital
several OF the wards were already atre, 4
woman patient was crying desperately,
which further excited the fury OF The mob.
which interpreted the cries ss proof OF the
cruelty practised by the representatives OF
the "tyrannical government
Listen how she suffers from pain and
fright! shouted the leader. They want 10
finish them before our arrival"
The smoke and flames added 10 the terror
and distress OF the patients. Some OF them
were picked up and transported on mat
,resses: others were laid on carts The
crowd around them. intoxicated by their
triumph, danced and shouted and made
carnival comparable 10 the dance Of the
furies Meanwhile. two women patients left
in the flaming wards were incinerated.
while other patients, who were carried 10
7 their homes. died before reaching them
Horror Impossible to Describe.
The CHASTITY horror OF the scene would be
impossible TO describe Fortunately. the
rioters forgot TO cut the telegraph wires
and the authorities were informed. Police
soldiers and cdrabineers. and even sailors
/ were rushed 10 the burning hospital They
succeeded in putting down the rioters, for
ty-hve OF whom were arrested as leaders.
These included nine women.
An announcement was then issued that
order had been re-esta bished but all the
measures that have been taken 10 check the
cholera now have been without avail. for
it is certain 10 ravage the country round
about Massafra for long time to come.