Evening star., 1946-08-11
Dominican Republic
Gripped by Terror
After 7 New Shocks
BY the Associated Press

CIUDAD TRUJILLO, Domini-
can Republic, Aug. 10 Terror
gripped the population of the
northern provinces of the Do
minican Republic tonight after
two new shocks today In the six
day series of earthquakes and
tidal waves which left 70 persons
dead and 10000 homeless.
Hunger threatened the weary in
habitants when attempts by the
government to rush food to the
stricken areas were hampered Sc
riously by washouts Of roads and
bridges in the paths of swollen
| streams.
Apprehension was at its greatest
near Bahia Escocesa (Scotch Bay)
where the food shortage was par
ticularly acute and clothing and
medical supplies were reported by
authorities to be running out.
False Rumors Intensity Panic.
Throughout the week, earth trem-
ors of varying intensity Jared the
northern part of the island fire.
quently. False rumors of immi-
nent new quakes and tidal waves
intensified the panic. The rumors
grew to such an extent that the
government threatened punishment
for those guilty of spreading them.
More than 80 persons already have
been prosecuted for relaying such
reports.
The new tremors today were felt
at 4 am. and $50 am, but they
did not add appreciably to the dam
age inflicted throughout the week.
In one of the hardest-hit COM
munities. the northern city of Bajio,
revised death toll showed that 80
persons had been killed by the tidal
wave and that 139 had been in
jured. Previously the toll for the
town had been reported at so dead.
Refugees Live in Hills.
The series of shocks began last
Sunday and brought a devastating
tidal wave in their wake. They
were believed caused by a shift in
the bed of the Atlantic at its deep
est point, so miles northeast of the
island.
Every inhabitant of the shattered
coastal towns of Matanzas, Puerto
Plata, Batey, Samana and Sanchez,
has been evacuated in an operation
which began shortly after the Sum
day quakes.
Many refugees from these de-
stroyed towns live in trees and caves
in the hills nearby. The Red Cross
set up refugee camps in the north
Iern provinces, but their accommo-
dations are not sufficient for the
thousands of homeless.
1n San Juan, Puerto Rico,
travellers from the Dominican
Republic said virtually all the
houses in Matanzas, which had
population of 1000, were washed
away in the tidal wave. The de-
struction was equally severe in
4N1O1illd dlIu Dali rIdIlClSCO
de Macoris. they said
Rice Field is Uprooted.
Reports of damage from Thurs
days shock still were being received
here
The correspondent of La Nacion
In Santiago reported that an entire
rice field was uprooted in the
AlmacigoS section and carried sew
eral miles.
Roger Greene. Associated Press
correspondent, reported that the
Government had sent 10 planes to-
drop medical supplies and food to
more than 10000 homeless refugees
camping in the hills along the
stricken north coast.
The only casualty in Ciudad Tru-
jillo from the quakes resulted when
a man hid under a truck during a
minor temblor and the truck ran
over him and killed him.
Seismologists at Georgetown Uni |
yersity reported last night they
had recorded five new earth shocks
in the Caribbean area since Friday,
two being described as fairly
heavy tremors.
Father Edward Powers of George
town said the most severe quake
occurred at 4:0457 am yesterday.
He said other quakes were recorded
at varying intervals throughout the
night
The seismologist said all the
quakes were after shocks" that fol-
lowed last Sundays earthquake that
caused damage and tidal waves in
the Caribbean area.
The Richmond Naval Air Stations
chronological observatory continued
recording earth shocks through q
am. yesterday and one was des-
cribed as moderately heavy" The
tremors during the past IL hours
were described as after shocks"
The heaviest of the new shocks
was recorded at 10 pm. Friday, but
it was less severe than those which