THE DISASTER IN TURKEY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22908, 3 January 1940, Page 8

THE DISASTER IN TURKEY

45,000 BeMeyed To Be Dead

DESTRUCTION BY FLOODS

(XrSXTZD PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received January 2, 2.20 p.m.) . ANKARA, January 1. It Is officially, estimated that 45,000 are dead as a result, of the earthquakes. ' • ; Trains crowded with injured are arriving: at Siyas. The survivors are mental and physical wrecks, babbling disconnected tales, of the horror. While the .rescue work is proceeding land villagers are taking refuge in the, mountains from the Anatolian floods, there has been almost a 1 total submergence of the Ismid Gulf area, the site of the Turkish naval base. The TCemal- Pasha dams burst and hundreds, of houses collapsed, pinning 150 occupants in the ruins. The survivors fled. in boats. Milder earthquake shocks are reported. V - Huge fissures - which have been torn in the 'mountain sides, between Amasya and Tokat belch smoke, sulphur, and boiling water. ' , - Many vessels are feared to have been lost as a result of the storms in the' Black Sea.. The steamer Turkari sank with a crew of 20 and a full cargo. • ■ ■. , The. extent of the floods is now greater than was, at first thought. Frprri Smyrna to the Sea of Marmora towns and bridges and dams have been destroyed. In many places there, is six feet of water. The population of 20 villages has taken refuge in the mountains and some 500 other villages are completely cut off.’ There ara.no details of casualties. Rain was still falling this, morning. . The floods are now subsiding, hut the fain continues. . . . , - - The first earthquake m western Turkey is, reported to have- occurred at 7-a.m. to-day. In the east, where 16,0.00 sqiihre miles were affected by the earlier, shock, relief works.-are now in .hand'.and trains are, running moire frequently. '; ' : The’Pfesidenfr (General Inonu) is personally superintending the work after travelling from-Ankara since Thursday, V ■ . GHERMAN HROADGASTS ■ I ’ RESENTDED _ LACK OF SYMPATHY FOR TURKEY , ANKARA. January 1. The Turkish Tress .is indignant over the German broadcasts, which not only refrain ffom ; expressing; sympathy,, 'but ■ also. . comment •on Turkish policy, comparing the present. leaders adversely with Kernel The Tiirkish press, comparing this attitude with Britain’s .sympathy, states that it confirms the yiew - that the, Germans .are doing their utmost to. provoke the world’s disgust.

HOLIDAY DEATH-ROLL IN VICTORIA

FEWER FATAL ROAD ACCIDENTS

... (Received January 2, 11 p.m.) . • MELBOURNE, January 2., The Christmas and New Year holiday season ended with a- total of 43 accident deaths, compared .with 60 last year. Road accidents caused 22 deaths compared with 30 last year, and drownings nine, compared with 21, The - decline in " road deaths is attributed by the police to greater road, courtesy, the result of an intensive campaign before the. holidays. Tlae police -traffic • control superintendent says that he noticed a definite improvement in road manners this”: year: •’ “Road users- -realise -that' it; is-hetter to 1 ' be careful than to spend. the holidays.' in hospital-. ■ I think the; is caused by the persistent education of road Users.” The improvement •is all the moroti satisfactory because lin unbroken' spell of perfect weather throughout . the holiday period attracted , a vast number of cars to the roads, • ‘. ~