TRAGIC BULGARIA

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 2

TRAGIC BULGARIA

CALL TO WOULD FOB AID. PRESS COBHESPOXDEXT’S HARROWING TALK. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON. May 2. The “Daily Express" special correspondent who is the first British correspondent to arrive at Sotia states terrible devastation and distress still reigns at Pliilippopolis. and other centres. He describes it as easily the worst calamity that lias befallen the country. In all four hundred thousand are homeless sheltering in gardens in the centre of the city and open In Ids on the oii-tskrits. and sleeping in goods trucks. Seven children were .born in the fields last night. The Prime .Minister. M. Lapebetl'. was overjoyed to see a British correspondent. in order that the world could know lor the first time the real magnitude of tile national tragedy. The correspondent describes the motor journey' of 260 miles through central and south-ehst-eni Bulgaria. Everywhere there was the same story ol prosperous villages, an •unrecognisable mass of ruins and injured people still si life ring incredible agonies. The roadways are impassable for many miles owing to floods. Great lakes suddenly formed swamping the mins. The most tragic of all is Phil lippopois, where entire streets have been wiped out Over forty-five bun dred buildings weie demolished and eight thousand par tly. Three thousand are uninhabitable and the others creel though split in twain. Else■where, whole sides have been curiously lilted away. Not an hour of the day passes without a fresh structure collapsing with a roar. Bain is st.ll falling. All civil functionaries have established offices under canvas. (Supreme criminal courts are working in tents, hospital in tents. Dressing stations and dispensaries living the Bed Cross flag have been established at every street corner. A grave scarcity of doctors and nurses is adding to the honor. Although neighbouring countries have promised to rush in supplies they are Into in arriving. Bulgaria calls to the world for aid.