New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-16
FIRE ADDED TO
MACLIANO HORROR
Starving Survivors, Try
ing to Avoid Freezing,
Ignite Debris.
fB7 Cshls 10 The Tflbune ]

Rome. Jan. 10 agliano, towr OF
5000 people a few miles from Ayez-
zano. has been RACED to the ground and
100 Of its inhabitants are buried IN
its ruins. Most Of these are dead. Re
lief parties have not been able to reach
the town owing to the road being i'm
passable.
The survivors are starving. Fires
were lighted n the streets to warm
the homeless people, and wooden debris
was accidentally ignited The fire
spread to the ruins, threatening to
burn alive those imprisoned in the
wrecked houses.
The number Of the victims Of the
earthquake is increasing almost hourly.
According to the latest estimates, more
than $4,000 have been killed. How
ever, il is impossible as yet to count
the dead. az all efforts arc being di..
rected exclusively TO the rescue OF
those living under the ruins.
The work of rescue is Of the most
difficult nature and necessarily slow.
despite continual reinforcement OF the
troops. II is impossible to hasten the
work. since haste only increases the
number of the victims by bringing
about the collapse of crumbling ruins.
II is useless to attempt to convey
an idea of the appalling havoc at Avez-
zano. The town Is completely oblit-
Grated. Hardly one stone remains on
another. Where walls are still stand
ing they threaten TO fall at any mo
ment and crush the life out OF those
still lingering in the debris. II is diff
iicult 10 realize that this complete de-
struction was the work of a few sec
onds and not the gradual process Of
centuries.
Practically all the surviving inhsb-
itants of the region have abandoned
their homes and refuse TO return. There
are thousands Of half-clad fugitives
suffering from hunger and cold, and
for these the authorities have 10 pro
vide, as well as for thousands whose
homes have been destroyed.
The hapless fugitives remain in a
condition of panic, fearing a repetition
of the earthquake.
Similar conditions prevail in other
districts of Abruzzi.
The Minister OF Public Works is AZ
Avezzano. personally supervising the
rescue and relief work which is being
gradually extended TO surrounding
towns and villages. Some of these have
been RACED to the ground, and others
suffered considerably. Many devastated
districts are still entirely isolated.
Magnificent work has been done by the
troops. who give their rations to starv-
ing people. Occasionally soldiers fall
at their work, completely exhausted.
The train service is now evclu-
sively used for the transport OF the
injured. Precautions are being taken
against fire; footing and epidemics. The
ruins are surrounded by troops. and
dsinfectants and ducklme are freely
used
Despite seemingly overwhelming diff
iculties. relief organizations are grad
ually covering the ground. Doctors have
been sent everywhere, and bread, blan-
kets and fuel are being distributed.
The soldiers are erecting tents for the
shelter of the injured and homeless,
and hospital trains are conveying the
more serious cases TO the nearest
towns
Nearer Rome, at Fresonone and other
towns and villages high Up in the hills,
where the roads are damaged and Gov
cred with snow, there is the greatest
suffering from lack Of supplies.