New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-18
Bad Weather Makes Con-
ditiOnS Worse in the
Earthquake Zone.
KING UNEXPECTED
VISITOR TO SORA
Motors 20 Stricken District After
Communicating Surgical
Supplies in Rome.
BY J. 4. SINCLAIR POOLEY.



Ey cable to rHc TrlhLre
Rome via Paris. Jan. Il. The stu
alton in the earthquake zone mas been
rendered more difficult in the las,
tweuty-four hours. owing 70 cnange
in the weather.
After visit TO Avezzauo yesterday.
already reported, visited to-day
Sora. Balsorano and large part OF
the Caserta provincial district affected.
Instead Of the bright sunlight which
in the last three days helped the "a
bors Of the thousands % rescuers. the
sky was overcast. and toward midday
rain began to fall.
Sora, quaint, old-fashioned town
situated half way TO the mountains
appears at first sight to have suffered
only slightly. The death roll IN the
town itself is about 600, Of whom $50
were killed in three palaces Of modern
jerry built construction IN the newer
part Of the town. The old arched
streets and winding passages with
stood the shock. though to-day they
are absolutely deserted. As the m
habitants refuse for the time beng 10
live within stone walls. Those who
have not fed from the town are
camped under wooden lean-tos on the
river embankment
The cathedral. an ancient medi@vai
building. collapsed and buried seversl
scores Of faithful worshippers VINO
had gathered for morning mass, ou'
the huge Church Of the Madonna Delle
Grazie. built on height l,OOO feet
above the town on rocky DUN, -
untouched. All the nuns OF the fas-
sionist convent we're killed and there
was n heavy loss of life IN TINS as
trict.
Communes scattered in the noun
tains around Balsorano are complete
ruins Not a house escaped. yet eH.
traordinary to relate, the number or
deaths was comparatively small, PROD
ably owing to the fact that no build
ings. except churches. were higher
than twenty feet. The survivors are
camping in the fields around. awaiting
relief. which they hope will soon ar
rive.
Pescosolido. which il above the snow
level. was believed immune from dlsas-
ter. but refugees who arrived TO-DAY
at Sora state that the village is razeu
and so per cent Of It's population were
killed or injured. No relief is possibie
for the moment. owing 20 the dreadtui
roads. though doctors have started
with medical supplies TO do all 'hey
can for the injured. -.
While | was visiting Sora King VIC
tor Emmanuel arrived in motor car
His intention TO visit the district was
not communicated 10 any one, not even
the ministry. He went 20 the station
this morning and said he intended 10
leave Immediately on an Ordinary
train.
Last evening. with two motor cars.
the King drove around Rome ana
called at the principal pharmacies
where he told the managers ne re-
ouired their entire stocks Of bandages'
lint. gauze. iodine and splints, TO be
placed Immediately in the motor cars
This supply left this morning.
When the King arrived at Sora sew
oral csrabineers wished to accompany
him as guard. The King replied IN
curt tones that they had better set TO
work TO try to rescue some Or the
wounded. OF whom few enough have
been saved here.
II his maiestv's visits have some
effect in curtailng red-tapeism ne
will have done much good WINE
waiting this morning in one town !
heard a reouisition for 700 kiios OF
bread. which the vice-prefect nau
eio,ned refused because he had forgot
ton "a nut in the number OF the requi-
sitiOn paper. o.o,. All
eoDitv is 70 get water. The earth
c1akc which destroyed the towns prohe
all mains and blocked all village wen.
In the mountains girls are oolged 10
c,irob down ravines hundreds OF teet
bolou "a obtain river water, whlcn
s;rco tho earthquake has become
,,ilkv In not a single place IN wnicn
/ stained Yesterday or to-day was ~
nossible to obtain cohee' o"Ihe "
lack of water. In this respect "oi"
lone was an exception.
Tho latest news shows that tne area
,eacted nv the earthquake becomes
en-, orea.er From the mountains
.a,,,d Anuilano news received TINS
diou;,u saws several villages nave
ie 'dsestroved. with considerable loss
zeal relief only has been supplieu.
understand that the government n"
Use. F"d ali aid outside Of Italy. As
'at,er Of fact, proper orgah'zhe,U"
nnnid cone with the SITUATION eNT.s
80 in the same manner As
heen done at Avezzano"
49,