The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-18


 Avezzano, Italy, January 27.-(Via Rome. )-Twelve thousand bodies, it is estimated semi-officially, are buried under the fallen walls of Avezzano. Rescuers believe there still are many living beneath the tons of debris, and desperate efforts are being made to rescue them.
 Most or the irregular masses of stone nave not yet been touched with pick or shovel, for it would take a thousand workmen several days to turn over and excavate what slowly has been built ups dAring centuries.
 capt. Pisani Vettori, in charge or the relief work here, estimates that there are 15,000 dead in Avezzano. Ca pello. Nfagliano and villages in this immediate district. Up to midnipht lssaturalay only 500 bediss had .isrerl taken from the ruins. These were laid out fin open spaces all over the city.
 Supplies Pour In
 Supplies now are pouring into Avez- zano. On Saturday there were received 25,o00 cans of preserved meat, 1So duintals Ca quntal is about 22O pounds) of rice. eight ouintals of coffee. II quintals of sugar and 10 quintals or salt. Whole trainloads of timber also arrived as well as tents for 1aO00 people and materials for Illumination.
 In the midst of this desolation which reminded correspondents who had been n hat Ia 100 days of bombardment, of camp fires ground which survivors cook the ra- tions distributed to them. They sit shivering in the sharp winter air.
 dozen bodies ready for burial arc lying in the square of Torlonia.
 "In this square, said Captain Vet tori. "I. saw a father place the bodies of his wife, three sons and three daugh- 'ers l think that was the saddest in cident I have seen. One litue boy stood beside the father. The child seemed not to realize what had hap pened. The man now stares vacantly at those who speak to him. He has rot eaten for two days"
 Scores of survivors were half starv. ing yesterday before food arrived, ai- though under the fallen walls of Prince Torlonia's granary there were 100000 bushels of wheat.
 Find Whole Family
 The correspondent of the Associated Press, going about last night with two soldiers bearing torches. came across the bodies of family of seven, faith CT, mother and five children. A ghastly <.P splendid villa of Prince TorlonIa, in which were found the bodies of 32 do- Hestics. Neither the prince nor any member of his family was in the great country house when it was destroyed.
 Of 32 schoolmasters in Avezzano only four survived only one of the 16 school mistresses is living. All the professors are de9d
 Churches with massive walls, tne an- cient castle of Orsini, new structural steel and brick business blocks-all ere leveled by the shock which last cd only S1 seconds.
 valuables already removed from the ruins are estimated to be worth $4,- coo, ,000. It Is expected much more will De found as the excavation continues, for several important banks had branches here.
 Enormous Losses
 Rome, January 17.--Detailed reports of Italy's latest earthquake disaster In- crease the appalling list of dead and the enormous property loss
 The Messargero after careful con,- putation announces that the number of dead and injured in the Abruzzi alono Is 30,000 without including the Dora district. San Atolio has 200 dead and bGO injured. Morino 1500 dead, Can istro 500 injured, Cervaro 300 victims, Eorga 50 dead and valleroveto 1SOj At Civitella Roverto almost the entire population escaped because they were working in the fields when the shock occurred.
 Frantic appeals for help have been received from Petrellaliri, $500 feet above the sea level on Mount Aringo, eight miles from Tagliacozzo. The vil- lage was almost destroyed and the survivors arc perlshing of cold and hunger.
 In the highway near Ortucchio the earth has opened, causing an immense pit filled with water, the depth oS hich is unknown.
 The terrific force of the earthquake cracked the mountains near Luco. Huge pieces of rock. each weighing several tons. rolled down the hillside. burymg cottages. killing cattle and obstructing the roads. Mont Pizzodeta, 6s50 feet
 (Contiauea on Psse Hlsht.)