Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-26
THE VOLCANOES.

Mount Peles, 10 Martinique. and
Mount Soufriere, in 81 Vincent. we're in
active eruption yesterday.
The steamer Ll1eld, which arrived
at Polnte o Pitre, Haudeloupe, yester-.
day with more fugitlves from Martini
ique, reports that Mount Pelee Is stilf
extremely active. The whole top OF
the volcano appears TO have opened
for a distance of fully two miles. FORM
ing one vast crater, from which ashes
and lava are pouring forth in enormous
quantities. The lava is running 10
great streams from the top OF the era
ter to the sea.
All the walls OF buildings left stand
ing 10 St. Pierre alter the first eruption
have been leveled by the succeeding
outoursts, and now lie under immense
sheets of lava. The sea around the
northern part OF the island Is black with
finely powdered pumice stone and the
trunks of burned trees, which have
been carried out to sea.
The situation 10 Fort de France is re-
ported quieter, but the people continue
to fee from the island on every avail
able vessel. Most OF them 90 to neigh
| boring islands.
Many from Fort de France have
sought shelter at Trinity, town 10 the
! southern part Of Martinique, apparent
ly out OF Pelee's danger zone. Trinity
mas become SO greatly oveTcrowded
hss there is no shelter left, and large
numbers OF the refugees sleep out OF
doors, on the sidewalks or under trees.
Provisions are beiGg sent to Trinity
from Fort de France.
The officials In Fort de France have
asked permission of toe French govern
ment TO leave the city, but their re-
quest has been refused. The troops on
the Island are frightened.
A cablegrsm from Castriee, st. LuciS
brings tue frat report, based on per-
sonsl investigation, by an American
scientist on the scene OF the volcanic
eruptions 10 Martinique and st. Vim.
cent.
Mr.. Z. o. Hovey, the scientist who
makes tne report, is assistant curator OF
the American Museum Of Natural His
tory. He started for the Wet Indies
soon after the first reports OF the dis
asters.
10 Mr.. Hovey's opinion the people of
both islands had ample warning OF
what was to come. Mount Pelee had
been giving for two years signs OF a
coming eruption. In the case OF st.
Vincent the warning was shorter, but
it was at least month before the great
eruption came.
The volcanic discharge which de-
stroyed st. Pierre May 8. Mr.. Hovey
says, was composed of steam and ashes.
II rose to thelght OF four miles and
then descended. Later mud and lava
fell. The eruption OF May 20, he finds,
was more severe than that OF May 8,
but there were few persons left within
the range of danger.
In the case Of st. Vincent the discharge
consisted Of volcanic dust cinders, lava and
cases. Among the gssses emitted sulphretted
hydrogen and carbon monoxide were clearly
distinguished. Tho disc barge WAS carried In
several different directions By wind, making
it additionally difficult to escape danger.
Mr.. Hovey recommends that Q bureau be
established by the United States government
for the study Of earthquakes and volcanoes,
with the stations in the West Indies, the
Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines. In
this way warnings could be sent out In time
10 avert loss Of life.