The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-01-14
ONE CITY COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED
Government is Well Prepared to Handle the Sit
uation as the Army Has Been Mobilized
and Ready For Service.

limited Press Leased Wire Service]
ROME, Jan. 1.-THE death tolls
of Yesterdays earthquake which left
trail of unprecedented destruction
throughout the provinces OF Abruzzi
and Potensa continued to grow to-
day. The government today official
Iy announced that Avezonno has
been completely destroyed and the
town of Fora very badly damaged.
Efforts are being made to restore
communication with the province OF
Potza and it is thought when the
story Of destruction is known there,
It viii show an enormous casualty
list. The center OF the earthquake
was in this province and unofficial
reports received by messengers sent
to the nearest operating telegraph
line say the capital Of PotenSa s,if-
fered greatly. 1t Is believed the
death list will reach 10000 when all
reports are in. The government is TAX
ing energetic steps to rescue the vic
tins and to restore the shattered towns
and to restore the shattered towns:
The military has assumed charge and
troops are being rushed into the
devastated area with all possible
speed. Doctors and medical sup
plies already are on the way. The
government Is in excellent shape to
meet the present crisis as the army
Is practically on war basis while
there are tons of medical supplies
stored at the various headquarters.
The area that suffered from the
quake is included in the territory
through the heart of Italy from the
Mediterranean to the Adriatic. There
Is included some several hundred
square miles extending on the west
from Rome to Naples, thence direct
ly through the peninsula to the
Adriatic. The main chain OF Italian
mountains that form the backbone OF
the Italian peninsula, runs through
this section. With wires down and
most of the territory blocked with
snow, the work OF securing details
will be difficult.
most of those who were killed in
Avezanno were crushed in the ruins
OF their own homes. Governmental
reports say houses collapsed under
the violence OF the shocks as though
made of cards. Fire broke out in
the ruins shortly after the initial
snock but it is reported it was quick
" extinguished. The uninjured start
ed the work Of rescue and a section
oi the city that suffered the least
was requisitioned for hospital pur-
poses 1t Is stated that more than
l'ooo persons were injured, many
seriously.
mere was no way of getting word
OF the tragedy to the outside world
ecept by messenger. It required
nearly all day for the courier to
,each point where he could get
INTO communication with Rome. The
Am at once ordered cavalry and in
iahtry to the rescue and practically
al OF the territory affected is now
uhuer martial law. The town of Pofi
Is reported half demolished as is
Giuaiano, but the death list here is
SAID to be insignificant. Other towns
anu villages which suffered include
rosslo Sargarolo, Paliano, Pereto,
sero1, Casert, Sarno and even as
iar away as Florence and Modena.
!, Not only has railway traffic into
tne stricken district been interrupted
with no trains moving, but It is re-
ported that in many instances the
roads along the mountain sides have
oeen turned into deep gullies that are
'imost impassible. The king. it is an
nounced, will take personal charge of
the work of relief. He is arranging
70 go to the scene in an automobile
IS soon as route that can BIZ made
oasssbie Is located. The various
bridges and tunnels along the railway