New-York tribune., 1920-09-09
Thousands Injured and
Scores of Towns Wiped
Out; Many Are Still
Trapped i'm the Ruins
Relief Rushed to
100000 Homeless
SSSeemed Like End of the
World,'' Say Survivors,;
New Trenors Reported

ROME, Sept. s (By The Associated
Press).-1taly is again suffering from
an earthquake disaster, the extent of
which has not yet been measured. 1t
is known, however. that hundreds of
persons have been killed and thousands
injured. Many small towns and viii
lagos have been wrecked. and although
assistance is being hurried from all
parts of the country to the afflicted
area, there is much suffering for want
of food, medicines and shelter for the
people.
every earthquake disaster is for
Italy like lost BATTLE" said EXPIRE
mier Luzzatti after the Avezzano catas-
trophc, and this is now repeated in
Tuscany. Though not SO great, the
present disaster recalls the distant
tragedy of Messina.
Extent of Disaster Unknown
1t is not yet possible to calculate
how many hundreds are dead-the list
up to this evening shows close to 40O
already reported. There are many
bodies under the ruins. Scores OF
wounded among the debris have not
been reached by the rescuers as yet
There are believed to be many thou
sands of injured; the hospitals at
Spezia have already received about 500
and 800 have been taken to other hos,
pitals near by. Improvised hospitals
composed of tents are caring for an
amounted number Of others. The in
jured and the homeless at Leasa are
thankful that the weather keeps fair
but at night it is very cold, especially
on the mountain slopes.
All classes are com mbining in theil
efforts to render aid. Monarchists as
we'll as republicans, socialists and
clericals and even anarchists are focls
ing to the scene of the earthquake
from the bigger cities-Spezia, Flor.
ence, Lucca and Modena.
Shock Was Terrifying
Admiral solari, of Spezia, was the
first to dispatch medicines, food, band
ages and tents. Deputy Chiesa, for
mer Minister of Navigation, was among
the first to reach Fivizzano. He was
followed by Admiral Solari and Signol
Bertini, representing the government
Survivors describe the shock as ter.
rifying: The air was filled with chok.
ing, binding dust, 50 black that the
sun was lost to view.
"It seemed like the end of the
world" terrified peasants say.
The great towers of medieval castles
were shaken or destroyed. The duca
palace at Massa Carrora, which was the
summer residence of Napoleon's sister
was seriously damaged.
At least seven towns were de
stroyed in the quake Tuesday.
Quercia, Molassa, Tarasco, Barce
and Fornaci are reported to have beer
destroyed, as were Fivizzano ane
Lucca, according to reports.
No Tidings of Many Towns
The territory violently disturbed
seems to be lozcnge shaped, witt
Florence at the southern apex ane
Modena at the northern end. 1t cx
tends along. the Etrurian coast ant
runs over the Apcnnines eastward fol
upward of 100 miles. In this dis
trict there are many populous towns
and no tidines have as yet been re
ceived from many of them. Report:
from some cities in the earthquake
zone show that buildings were crum
pied by the convulsion of the earth.
The quake caused great damage il
the Provinces of Florence, Lisa, Leg
horn, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Reggie
d'Emilia, Modena and Piacenza. Thu
shock was felt in the surrounding
provinces as far as Milan, but there
was no injury to life CIR property i.
that city.
Relief parties from Spezia, Genoa
Massa and Florence are searching thu
devastated region.
Aid Lent by Red Cross
The Red Cross has dispatched to thu
scene of the disaster hundreds of beds
many tents, medicines and physicians
Other benevolent associations are con
tributing to the work of rescue, as ar,
private individuals, who have placet
automobiles and camions at the dis
posal of the authorities for transpor
tation of the wounded and distribution
Of supplies. The supplies are urgentl,
needed, since 100000 persons are camp
ing in the opeE air.
King Victor Emmanuel, with hi
tcontlnued on pas, seven)