Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-01
nv RICHARD FRIZELL.

BY RICHARD FkILELL.
(copyrisht. 1881. by the Associated Press)
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, April !
R.-Stunned by the destruction
of their city by earthquake and
terrified by constantly recurring
tremors, the people of Managua
feverishly carried en- rescue work
today against terrific odds.
The day broke bleakly in the
stricken Nicaraguan capital, with
FIRE still raging in many sections
of the city.
Estimates of the dead from yes
terday's shocks and from flames
reached 1000. The number of in
jured tentatively was placed at
1000. The entire population of
about $4,000 was homeless. Hard
" a building remained standing.
Fire threatened to complete the
catastrophe.
-Four Americans known Dead.
The known American dead we're:
Lieut. Comdr. Hugo F. A. Baske doc
tor in the Nicaraguan National Guard.
Mrs. Joseph D. Murray Of Concord,
Mass, wife Of a major in the United
States Marine Corps.
James F. Dickey Of Vallejo, Calf,
chief quartermaster clerk, United States
Marine Corps.
The chauffeur of Irving A. Linberg.
resident high commissioner and coli
Iector OF customs. whose name was
not given.
Italian Consul Napoleon Re was
among those kilaed.,ssls IHoFsallties
among American civilians have been re-
ported yet.
Both President Moncada an6 Ameri-
can Minister Matthew E. Hanna were
out of the city at the time.
Martial law was in operation Lieut..
Col. Frederick Bradman, commander OF
the Marine forces, was in charge OF the
rescue work. Lack Of water through
break in the water system handicapped
the firenghting. A scarcity OF food
gtuds, brought about by the demolition
81 the business section. added to the
privation A scarcity Of medical sup
plies existed.
Medical Supplies Needed.
A Nicaraguan Red Cross was formed
by Minister of Health DR.. Frutos
Paniagua to aid relief work. Thirty
Nicaraguan doctors came from Corinto
Chinandega and Leon to assist. MN
lister Paniagua issued the following
statement:
I'VE do not possess the necessary
medical supplies adequately to cope with
the situation. Sincerely trust the Amer
lean Red Cross will be able to send
aid"
The only buildings Of Importance left
s~ts iFNF
by concrete The front Of the presl-
Dental palace was intact, but the rear
part Of the building was sliding down
ward. Two of the three Managua banks
were destroyed. The Anglo-South Amer
lean Bank was cynamited by soldiers
before the fire reached 1t and the
Anglo-Central American Commercial
Bank was burned to the ground.
The Hotel Lupone, headquarters OF
Pan-American Always, was one Of the
first structures to 60 Airport Man
ager Harry Hammer was in the office
when the tremblor was felt and rushed
outside as the walls caved in. The
American legation was burned and its
entire files destroyed. Ellis NJ. Stevens,
clerk at the legation, was sitting on the
porch Of Diedrecitas Chalet when the
quake came. He dashed away as the
chalet slid into Asososca Lagoon.
Branman Injured.
The United States Marines and the
Nicaraguan National Guard were dong
heroic work in attempting 70 Quell the
fire Alataugh carrying a head wound
caused byNa falling beam, Col. Bradman
worked throughout the night without
wink Of sleep. Campo de Marie, where
the Marines are barracked was trans
formed into huge hospital.
Returning from his Summer nome
yesterday President Moncada and part
OF his cabinet camped for the night
outside the palace. He issued the fol-
loving statement today:
"A state of siege has been declared in
the Department of Managua. The di-
rectors Of the National Guard will UNI
dertake the task Of caring for the peo-
pie and the guaranteeing of properties
Food viii be purchased at the expense
of the government and distributed
gratis Committees viii be organized TO
relieve tine poor and suffering"
II is believed that the greater part
OF the deaths occurred at the public
market whore a huge throng gathered
at the time of the first shocks
About $50 persons were killed at the
CONTINUED on Page 4, Column H.