The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-22
RED-HOT LAVA FLOWED
ERUPTION OF A VOLCANO DE-
sCRIBED BY COL. WALTER HOWE.
Town I'm Luzon shaken and the Air
Filled with Smoke and Ashes
Cable Cut by Earthquake.

WASHINGTON, April N.-The first vol
canic eruption of great magnitude that has
occurred in the Philippines since the Amer
lean occupation is reported to the War De-
partment by Colonel Walter Howe, Forty
seventh Infantry, from the headquarters
of that regiment under date Of Legaspi,
March last. 1t is said there is a certain
periodicity noticeable in the eruptions in
the Philippines and it has now been about
six years since the preceding volcanic out
break, which did great damage. The place
where the latest eruption occurred is at
the extreme southeastern extremity OF the
island of Luzon in the province of Albay.
There are several extinct volcanoes in this
province but Mayor has always been more
or less active. The capital of the province,
the town of Albay, lies just at the foot of
the volcano, which is high and dangerous
of ascent, it may be that the town had
a more severe experience than did the town
of Legaspi, from which place Colonel Howe
observed the eruption. In his report he
says: 81 have the honor to report an erup-
ton of the volcano Mayor eight miles
from LegaspD commencing on March 1 in
the afternoon about 2:30 p m. At this time
with the naked eye large stones could be
seen thrown out The eruption fiuctuated
from time to time, but gradually grew
worse until large streams of red hot lava
could be seen at night flowing down the
mountain. one of which apparently reached
the sea about six miles from here. For one
day and night the eruption was accom-
panied by a rumbling noise. at times in
creasing to roar. which was very terrify-
ing; all the houses in Legaspi shook, WIN
doors
of March this vibration and noise was
very trying-theres-Was~.no Wind and the
columns of smoke could be seen reaching
far into the heavens, perhaps five miles
more above the top of the volcano. This
spread out and covered the town, the sun
became obscured and thin cloud of ashes
fell constantly. 1t cleared in the afternoon
sufficiently to show about one half the
crater at sunset, but the rumbling and
roaring with the flow of lava continued all
night. This morning (March ~ the erup-
ton seems to be practically over although
smoke obscures the mountain and steam
is still rising from the hot lava"
General Greedy. chief signal officer OF
the army, has positive information that
the interruption of the cable between Iloilo
and Manila, announced by the cable COM
panies several days ago, was caused by
an earthquake and not by the insurgents,
as has been reported. General Greedy ex-
plains that the break occurred in the deep
sea, and nothing short of a sea-going yes
sell fully equipped for the purpose. which
the insurgents do not possess, could have
possibly grappled and cut the cable The
break occurred about week ago and the
signal corps is now at work on the break
1t is expected that communication will be
restored by May 1. In view of the fact
that breaks in the cable are likely to occur
at any time from earthquake shocks. an
alternative line is now being laid from
Manila TO Sebu along the north coast of
Luzon. which IL is thought will practically
insure communication at all times between
those points.