The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-14
Disaster in Europe Greater
Than Messina Earthquake.
Loss Of Life and Property
Grows More Appalling.
One City, AvezzanO, Practical
ly Wiped From the Map.
COVERED AN EXTENSIVE AREA
From Sea to Sea and 500 Miles
in Length.
Center of Disturbance. 63 Miles
East of Rome.
Wires Are Down and Figures
Come In Slowly.
COVERED AN EXTENSIVE AREA
Wires Are Down and Figures
Come In Slowly.


hour as additional and more ac-
curate details are received the
horror of yesterdays earth
quake increases, threatening to
place it at the head of the list of
similar catastrophes in Europe
even greater than the Messina
disaster Of 1908.
The list of dead. dying and in
jured has increased from rela-
lively small figure last night to
more than $4,000 according to
an official announcement today,
and it is expected that this num-
ber will grow before the day is
over.
The full extent of the prop
erty loss has not yet been deter
mined. Here in Rome priceless
statues, century old buildings
anG ST .ctures that for Mfs
have been the mecca of all visit
ors, have been destroyed or in
jured
The area of the disturbance
greatly exceeds the Messina
earthquake It covers the whole
central portion of Italy, extend
ing from Naples on the south to
Ferrara on the north.
The most disastrous disturbance
all 70
tered in the vicinity of the town of
Avezzano. where fifteen thousand per-
sons have been killed or injured, ac-
cording to the latest official reports.
Reports OF damage in varying degrees
of severity have come from Latium
Abruzzi. Umbria. the Marches. Tus-
cany. Aezlia, Campania and Apulia.
The earthquake belt is estimated to be
about 300 miles long, extending prac-
tically from one side of Italy to the
other.
In Abruzzi, Latium and Campania the
quake reached it's highest degree, de-
scribed by scientists as catastrophe, -
and in other places it varied between
the seventh and the tenth degrees.
Measure for Relief.
Relief measures for the thousands
who have succeeded in escaping from
their ruined homes in safety, but are
in want and without shelter, are going
ahead with all possible speed. Special
trains have been dispatched carrying
physicians and nurses and government
officials have been ordered to provide
all necessaries for the stricken people
King Victor Emmanuel despite the
protests of government officials, who
urged the international situation ir
Europe as reason for his staying in
Rome. left early today for the vicinity
of Avezzano to do whatever ne could
and by his presence give stimulus tC
the relief work.
Queen Helena. still in bed since the
birth of daughter, had expressed the
keenest regret that she could not &C
to the scenes of devastation as she die
at Messina. Relief committees are be-
ing organized in each locality that ha!
been stricken, to work under the direc
tion and in cooperation with the cen
trail committee in Rome. which Is under
the supervision of Premier Salandra.
Soldiers have been rushed to tn,
scene and by night will have estab
lished tent colonies in which the home
less thousands may find temporar!
cially railroad tracks and telephone and
telegraph wires have been interrupte<
seriously throughout the entire earth
quake belt and the transportation O
supplies furnished by the government
and private sources is going forwart
by automobile and horse draw
wagons
The forces at work relieving distress
face scenes of the greatest tragedy
Families have been separated. father
have returned to their shattered home
to find their children and wives dea,
or missing.
Children are fatherless and wive
have become widows. In every strick
en- section temporary hospitals hav
been established and to these hav
gone nurses and doctors to care TO
the injured. The list includes tn
Duchess of Aosta who has gone I
Monteroduni as a nurse.
Losses in AvezzanO.
Great loss of life occurred at Avez
zano and it's vicinity, the number O
dead there being placed at more tha
5000. Among the towns in the earth
quake district reported destroyed are
Bussi. Capelle. Scurcola. Magliant
Cappadocia and Pesciro Sora and Ar
pino are said to have been PARTIAL
wrecked.
Naples felt the shock severely bu
suffered only slight damage. Sulmon
ans AQuila. in the province of Abruxx
3