The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-19
DEAD WILL EXCEED
FIRST ESTIMATES.
Quake Victims May Total $4,000
With $4,000 Injured,
RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS REPORT

Loss Of Life at Avezzano, Which Was
Entirely Destroyed, May surpass
0,000-MiIitary Now Engaged In
Opening Up the Highways-For.
eigners Taking Active Part In Work
Of Reiief-cold Arguments Suffering.
Rome, Jan. 16. - Detailed reports
coming in from the provinces which
suffered in the great earthquake show
that the number of deaths will prob
ably exceed the first estimates Of 20,-
600 and will perhaps be more than
10000, with nearly $4,000 injured.
These figures are based on the con.
ditions found by the relief organiza-
tiOns In towns and villages near
Rome, especially in Avezzano, which
vas entirely destroyed, with a loss Of
life that may surpass 10000. The au.
thorities do not attempt even ii esti-
mate the casualties in Campania and
the southern part of the province Of
The Abruzzi, where the undersecre.
tary Of public works is organizing the
relief work.
The same situation is true of the
towns of Sora, fifteen miles southeast
Of Avezzano, Pesdesolido, Castelliri,
Atina and Tsolaliri, wnere the mortal.
ity Is supposed to have been the
greatest. The military are now en-
gagged In opening up the railroads
and highways to those places which
are as yet unrelieved, since the dis
aster at Avezzano has monopolized
the relief efforts. The conditions In
Campania are said to be especially
appalling.
Although the killed and injured are
increasing, Italy mas gone resolutely
at the task of relief and is confident
Of handling the situation without out
side aid. Offers from foreign coun-
tries have been declined with thanks,
although Americans. Germans, British
although Americans, Germans, Brit.
ish, French and other residents here
are taking an active rart. Fears tnat
foreigners had lost their lives in the
disaster have been dispelled by care
full inquiry, and 1t is certain that no
Americans were killed, though some
naturalized emigrants are probably
among the victims.
One Of the greatest perils now Is
the weather, which is very cold.
Magnitude Of the Disaster.
The growth of the disaster is en-
phasized in the late reports coming
in from numerous towns. Magliano.
di-Marsi has 1900 casualties out Of
a population of 1,500. Pescini is said
to have 1000 dead and San Benedetto
1000. Apparently 10000 were killed
at Avezzano and 1000 at Sora. Cas-.
tiliri has 10 dead, Isola 81 dead and
ITO injured, and Capolacruce 10 dead.
The 200 survivors at Magliano-di-
Marsi are homeless and starving and
the same is the case with thousands
in other towns. Sixty small villages
have total Of 5000 dead, with many
bodies still unrecovered from the
ruins.
Pope Benedict visited the Santa
Marta hospital. He comforted and
blessed each of the Al injured refu.
gees In the hospice. Following the
precedent of Pope Plus in 1908 at the
time Of the Messina earthquake, he
went to the hospice through st. Pc.
ter's chapter house and thence
through the adjoining passage and
did not once touch Italian territory.
He was guarded by papal gendarmes.
Relief and rescue work at Avezzano
is gradually becoming organized. The
troops are being continually rein
forced and the injured survivors, as
soon as first aid is administered, are
sent to Rome. Two trainloadv ar
rived here. King Victor visited the
Avezzano ruins again, encouraged the
survivors who were unhurt, took note
Of the amount of damage and, seeing
that the task was growing, tele-
graphed to the premier here and Or
dered additional troops and supplies
sent. including medical stories, pro.
visions and tents.
Thomas Nelson Page, the United
States ambassador, paid visit to the
minister Of the interior to express his
personal sympathy and that Oh his
country and to offer aid, expressing
a desire to send members of the en-
hassy staff to the Avezzanon region
II there was no objection. The min
lister said the government would ap.
preciate such work and the ambassa-
dor accordingly dispatched an auto.
mobile with supplies, especially blan-
kets.