New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-18

sanquir is of the smaller islands Of the Malay
Archipelago II IS in the Celebes Sea. near the head
of Molucca Passage and is about $50 miles south OF
Mindanao one Of the Philippine Islands, and about
the same distance northwest of Molucca, or spice
Islands. The Archipelago comprises all the lsiahuS
In the northeastern part Of the indian ocean IL
has OF about 100000 square miles, ana an
estimated population Of about 23,0OO,OOo IL con-
tains some OF the largest and finest Islands IN the
world such BorneO, Sumatra, Cecbes. Java ana
Luzon and its position forms the connection between
Asia and Australia
The Islands are mountainous, and the chef summts
are volcanic. Many OF the mountains are stiD active
volcanoes The volcanic line can be traced through
the Archipelago to Japan and Kamsclatka. Earth
euakes are also frequent in the Islands. The Dutch
are masters Of the greatest number of Islands, but the
Portuguese and British also have control Of some.
Some of the Islands under native control The In
habitants are principally Malays and Chinese.
The volcanic eruption the island Of Krakaoa. In
the Strait Of Sunda, In August, 1883, Vas the most
gigantic one OF modern times. The island was de-
eroyed and so 900 were killed and drowned Three
towns were destroyed. Next to THAI ranks the one
which DESTROYED the peak Of sho Bandslsan In Japan.
IN July. 1850. The side Of the mountain was torn
away for three miles and four villages were buried
with their Inhabitants.
An elaborate account OF the great eruption at
Krakotoa given TO the world through the lbeahS
patched Mr. verbeek Immediately after that great out
burst to Investigate It's and effects. WIN the
assistance Of J. A. Schurman, the results OF these
studies were published in two volumes. AS result
OF the inquiries conducted at Krakotoa, 1t was con
cluded that the disturbance was OF volcanic and not
seismic origin, although IL is admitted that there
was a seismic movement OF tho whole ocean bed In
the region Of the Moluccas At the same time eartl-
quakes were felt In Australia resulting, II was sup
posed from close connection between the sabterancan
recesses which lie between Krakotoa ana AnstIaha
The story OF the eruptons which vas advanced Is tha
OF the sudden influx large bodies OF water probably
ocean water upon masses Of incandescent matter
living In the neighborhood Of the old volcano
The acceptance Of the theory as whole requires
revision OF some Of the suppOstiOns In regard 10 the
thickness Of the earth's crust. Mr. Verbeek holds
10 the doctrine of a central fire, and his facts caa
TO show that not so far removed from TINS
Ere as has been popularly assumed. Evidence tchdhg
to demonstrate the instability Of the crust Is the
wide extent OF the disturbance caused by the
outburst at Krahnos. In ways 1t was felt all
over the earth. while the explosions were actually
heard surface which aggregates nearly onefour-
eeth Of the total surface OF the earth the resulting
airwave made complete circuit Of the globe back to
Krakaea As b the great tidal wave. which followed
the principal explosions. that caused. It Il now
held not by earthquake shocks, but by the prlec'
uon into the Of enormous masses on matter. in
cluding one side Of the crater. Eighteen cubic XII
oetres Is the calculated volume OF the matter elected
The e1ected ashes TO an elevation OF hfty Kill
ometres, or about six times the height Of Mount
Everest the highest mountain of the world. After the
eruption, the sea covered tbckv with Dumce. and
some of this carried far the east coast of
Africa.
The data which Mr.. Verbeek gathered. did not. of
course, settle beyond controversy all volcanic or
seismic problems but there much IN support the
theory OF central fire and the belief that the globes
crust is much thinner than commonly supposed.