Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-22

WEST INDIES DISASTER.


It is now estimated that the dead
on the island of st. Vincent number
1000.
Bodies in the ruins of st. Pierre
are being burned. Many of the victims
died from poisonous gases.
The Canadian parliament voted $780,
900 for the relief of the sufferers OF
Martinique and st. Vincent.
The United States cruiser Dixie,
with food enough to feed the entire
population of Martinique for week,
sailed from New York.
French press expressed gratitude
to the United States for Martinique
aid. Paris contributions reached a
total of only $30,600
The first cargo of American relief
supplies has arrived at Martinique
from San Juan. Looting of the dead
has begun in the stricken city.
The British government accepted
the United States offer of aid for st.
Vincent. Parliament will not vote
aid because a recent precedent does
not exist
The British public is chagrined at
the governments failure to aid -hs
sufferers. President Roosevelt offered
the services of the United States for
ST. Vincent.
Henry H. Windsor, the interoceanic
canal student, predicts a serious vol
canic eruption from Mont Conseguina
Nicaragua, and the obliteration Of the
canal it is built.
President Roosevelt issued an ap
peal to the people to aid the volcano
refugees and appointed committee
in each large city to superintend the
collection of relief.
Searching parties penetrated Ine
destroyed city of st. Pierre, but
found no living person. The eruption
of Mount Pelee continues, as does
that OF the SOufriere volcano, in St
Vincent.
Secretary Root accepted the offer
of Louis klopsch, of the Christian
Herald to send 1000 barrels of four
to the Martinique sufferers, and
directed that the -four be carried on
a government transport.
The member of an official party
which went through st. Pierre de-
scribeo the scenes in the town
Many dead were cremated by lava
and few buildings were left standing.
Thieves are at work looting ruins.
The st. Vincent volcano threatens
a new eruption. The old crater dis
appeared and a new one is becoming
active. Scientists, after approaching
eight miles from the volcano, predict
fresh disaster soon. The islands
surface is changed.
The governor of st. Vincent reports
the country between Georgetown and
Rolmrock totally destroyed Over
1000 persons are probably killed.
More than 1000 bodies are already
buried there, and cattle are dead and
the sugar plantations burned up.
The account of the disaster at st.
Pierre, Martinique, grows more ap-
palling as the details become known.
Later dispatches bear out the es-
innate that more than 10000 persons
persisted. Those living outside The
city are in imminent danger of starva-
ton. The volcanic eruption was fol-
lowed by great waterspout in the
harbor.
The Paris Liberte prints an article
headed. A Supreme Offront, in which
it attacks the government for send
ing two pe.,y officials with 100000
francs and a few bottles of disin-
fectants to Martinique, while King
Edward and King Emanuel of Italy
each contributed $4,000 francs and the
kaiser 10000 francs. But, to cap it
all, President Roosevelt, of the United
States, recommended an appropriation
Of 100000 francs and congress
placed million francs at his dis
posal. The paper says Frenchmen
are inclined to cry out against the
government.