Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-01-15
RELIEF COMMITTEES
ARE OFFERING AID
Continued from FIRST Page.l

continued frOm First PaRe.l
Both these municipalities were de-
stroyed and their populations virtually
wiped out.
The latest reports place the number
of dead in Avesoano at 10000 and in
Sora at 1000. In at least sixty othel
towns affected more than 5000 have
been killed, From these towns come
the majority of the injured. In Avez-
zano and Sora almost everyone was
! killed.
The situation in Avezzano is increas-
ingly grave because of the destruction
of the aQueduct system and the con-
sequent shutting off of the water sup
ply. Communication is slowly being
re-esta ablished and two hastily lmpro-
vised hospitals and one refugee camp
have been set up.
Rescue Forces Augmented
The rescue forces have been aug
mented by the staff of the United
States embassy at Rome, dispatched to
Avezzano in automobiles by Ambas-
sador Thomas Nelson Page. Colonies
and attaches carried supplies of cloth
ing and provisions for the sufferers.
Reports from Switzerland show that
the quake was felt among the Alps
and caused destructive avalanches
there.
AS in the Messina catastrophe, it is
loss of life can be known or the prop
erty loss accurately compiled. The
work of recovering bodies is proceed
ing slowly.
Reports to-day from the north say
that the shock was felt as far as the
Swiss frontier and that in the Alps
in that region there were numerous
avalanches, the result of the earth
quake. This would make it appear
that the earthquake extended through
out the entire length of Italy with the
exception of the extreme southern
end.
The Italian government and people
have quickly responded to the call for
help from the stricken people. Thou
sands of troops have been sent to the
scene and the work of rescue and re-
lief is going on night and day. Sup
plies of food, clothing, blankets and
medicines have been dispatched by
train where possible and by motor cars
where the railroads are blocked.
Red Cross Quick TO Act
The central committee of the Red
Cross was quick to act, having order
ed all of its members to join in the re-
lief work at the scene of the district.
Troops have been sent by the govern
ment wherever needed and they are
expected to assist in excavatng the
ruins. to build wooden huts for sur
vivors, transport the injured and guard
property.
King Victor Emmanuel, according to
advices reaching here, is tireless in his
endeavors to spur on the rescue work
and in encouraging the survivors.
Messages from along the line from
Rome to Tivoli, Carcoli and Avezzano
say that everywhere the king passes
the people rush to greet him to eX-
press their gratitude. The king, it is
stated, asks all to abandon unneces-
sary formality and to desist from in
appropriate demonstrations. His only
wish, he says. is to visit the wounded
and express TO them his sympathy and
to ascertain what is possible to be done
to relieve so much misery.
Use Royal Automobiles
Having heard that means of trans
portation are still lacking the king has
ordered that all the automobiles at the
royal palace be Immediately dispatch
ed for use in the stricken districts.
In his travels, whenever he reaches a
telegraph station the king sends mes
sages to Queen Helena, who wishes to
hear ali details of the disaster.
Pope Benedict is deeply grieved over
the misfortune which has befallen the
Italian people. He showed his deep
interest and sympathy yesterday by an
unusual visit to the Santa Marta Hos
pital where forty-one persons, injur
ed during the earthquake are receiving
treatment.
His Holiness spoke to each single
one of the patients. asking for par
ticulars of the disaster and inquiring
about their families. He consoled
them by saying that he would entrust
to the clergy the task of seeking their
relatives and by imparting to all the
apostolic benediction.
The American ambassador, Thomas
Nelson Page, called at the Ministry
nf I,o Int IN hn
sympathy of America over the disas-
ter which has befallen Italy. He in
timated a desire to send members of
the embassy to the earthquake dis
trict to give such aid as they could
! if there was no objections. He was
informed that the Italian governm ent
would much appreciate such sympa-
thetic initiative and soon thereafter
the ambassador dispatched an auto
mobile with second Secretary Norville
Richardson, Lieutenant Commander
Charles, the navel attache and Private
Secretaries John Harrison and Marion
Sims Wyeth. They started for the
Avezzano district with supplies, espe-
cially blankets. which they will distri-
butte. The party expects to return to
Rome by Friday night
May Appoint Committees
Ambassador Page is ready to APP
point an American relief committee
while Mrs. Page will appoint a COM
mittee of ladies if necessary to aid in
the Italian work of relief.
Avezzano presents a scene of wreck
and desolation. according to advices
received from that place Practically
every building in the town is In ruins
and nearly all its people are dead or
injured. Many are still alive, buried
under the debris, and the rescuers are
working night and day in an endeavor
to reach them.
Late advices say that about 500 bod
les have been recovered and that hum
dreds of injured have been taken from
the ruins. Nearly all the civil officials
of Avezzano, including the mayor lost
their lives.
Similar conditions exist in the town
and villages around Avezzano. Magli-
ano, TO the north and Fescina, to the
east, are practically in ruins. Among
the missing in the last named place is
Monsignor Bagnoh, the bishop of Pes
Gina.
Cold and snow are adding to the
sufferings of the survivors The la
n,antafinnc of the naoOla- according