The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-08-08
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Southern Italy Devastated
by Quake Thousands
Killed or Injured.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD

BY EDWARD w. PlcKARD
COUTHERN Italy was rocked and
- torn by the worst earthquake in
that region since the terrible disaster
that destroyed Messina in 1908. Def
mite figures on the loss Of life may
not be known for many days. At this
writing it is known that 2,013 persons
were killed and twice as many in
jured. Communications in the stricken
area broke down and airplanes were
being used for relief and exploration
work.
The provinces of Puglie, Campania
and Basilicata sustained the worst of
the temblor, but it was felt as far
north as AbruZzi and Molise. The
quake, which started at 1:15 in the
morning, conferred around the old vol
cano Mount Vultura. and the city Of
Melfi, just north Of that cone, was
destroyed, as were also the nearby
towns of Lacedonia, Aquilonia, Bisac-
cha and Ariano. Many other cities
and villages were partly RACED, and
famous palaces and churches were
ruined. Even Rome and Naples were
badly shaken, and several persons
were killed in the latter city.
Premier Mussolini promptly took
command of the situation and rescue
and relief measures were put into
effect quickly throughout the. devas-
tated region, the Red Cross and the
army with hosts Of physicians and
nurses, being hurried to the scene.
Pope Plus ordered that aid be sent to
places in urgent need and relief
fund held in readiness by the Vatican.
Though southern Italy was thronged
with tourists, it was believed there
were no casualties among the Ameri.
cans there.
Two days after the earthquake a
tornado swept over the Venice district,
killing a dozen persons and causing
heavy damage over stretch of %
miles. aS~4
n NLAMAN1 dISO lluu It's uiSdStSis
~ vastly less in magnitude but
shocking enough. During the cele-
bration in Coblenz Of the evacuation
Of the Rhineland, in which President
Won Hindenburg was the central fig
ure, a pontoon bridge across the
Moselle collapsed and about so men,
women and children were precipitated
into the river. Many of them were
killed by the falling timbers and many
others drowned. The bodies of 3S
were recovered and it was feared
more might be found by divers. The
celebrations, which had been going
on gaily for several days, were brought
to an end by the calamity. @
OVER in England there was an air.
~ plane disaster made notable by
the prominence of the victims. A
Junkers air liner en- route from France
to Croydon blew up near Gravesend
and it's six occupants were, killed.
They were the marquis of Dufferin
and Ava; Viscountess Ednam. noted
beauty and close friend of the prince
of Wales; Sir Edward Ward; Mrs.
Henrik Loeffier, well known society
woman; Lieut.. Col. George L. P. Hen
derson. the pilot, who was rated as
one of England's best flyers, and
Charles Shearing. second pilot.
THAT London naval treaty is now
i in effect so far as American action
goes. The senate by vote of 5S to 9,
ratified the pact. and next day Presl.
dent Hoover signed it with the gold
pen used by the American delegates
to the conference to sign the treaty
in London. The document was then
sent to London. where parliament was
engaged in giving the pact it's ap-
proval.
In formal statement President
Hoover said: 1T is matter of sat
isfaction that this great accomplish
ment in international relations has
at all steps been given united support
of both our political parties.
with the ratification by the other
governments the treaty will translate
an emotion deep in the hearts of mil
lions of men and women into a prac-
tical fact of government and inter-
national relations. 1t will renew