Evening star., 1949-08-09
Ecuador's President
Takes Steps 10 Bar
Looting and Riots
~ the Assoejoted Press

QUITO. Ecuador, Aug. 9.-Pres-
ident Gallo Plaza Lassos govern
ment took stern measures to pre-
vent 1ooting and disorder in
Ecuador's earthquake area after
the army reported that some IN
dians had threatened to go on
looting rampage.
The cabinet authorized military
rule wherever necessary In the
stricken area. The threat of In
dian trouble plagued authorities
struggling to house and feed 100.-
600 persons made homeless by
Fridays earthquake.
The destruction of water sys-
TENS brought threat of public
health problems. An airlift con-
tinued flying supplies into the
stricken region.
Death List Not Compiled.
A spokesman for the President
said the government had not yet
been able to compile a death list,
but estimated that the toll was
between 1000 and 1000. Earlier
estimates of the dead had ranged
up to 5000.
Some persons thought COM
plete tabulation might never be
made.
The authorities were prepared
to hit hard against looters. Civil
guards and police said they would
shoot without questioning any one
caught pillaging ruined buildings
and fields.
A special cavalry detachment
was ordered to the Pelileo area.
one of the most heavily damaged
regions, to control the Salasacas
Indians.
Army officers said they learned
from Salasacas Indians that mem
bers of the tribe planned to loot
the ruins. Indians of that tribe
have a reputation for troublemak-
ing when they drink heavily, it
was said.
May Obtain U. s. Loan.
The government planned to
issue $4,000 worth of bonds to
finance quake reconstruction.
Newspapers said the country might
obtain a loan from the United
States.
The President announced Sum-
day that in the town of Pelileo
alone some 5000 had perished.
Mr.. Plaza told newsmen that in
the ravaged city of Ambato rs per
cent of the houses still standing
must be torn down.
He said the government had
asked the American republics to
rush tents to the area and that
the United States already was
sending emergency shipments OF
canned foods.
Landslides Kill Some.
Most of the victims in the town
of Pelileo were caught in build
ings that collapsed. Landslides
from the mountains accounted for
others.
Farmhouses were flattened
against the ground and fields were
ripped apart by huge crevices.
Many other Pelileo victims died
in a flood. A landslide blocked a
drainage canal and the waters
trapped many persons. Others
died in their homes. Not single
house in the village remained
standing.
Tungurahua Province. hardest
hit region in the area. was de-
clared a security zone under mill
tary law.
The council Of state granted the
president the right to take funds
already allotted for other purposes
and use them for disaster relief.
Airlift Operating.
An emergency airlift Is bring
ing supplies into the stricken areas
and hauling out injured to cities
where hospital facilities are avail
able.
United states Army ana navy
planes in the Caribbean area were
being readied to start another
shuttle of doctors, nurses and
medical supplies.
The United States command at
Panama said planes would be
pulled out of West Indies bases
II necessary.
Broadcasts also reported that
electrical service is being restored
at Ambato.
Cathedral Collapse Described.
An eyewitness to the tragic col
lapse Of the Ambato Cathedral
told last night how women and
children stayed inside and prayed