The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-16

the hospitals is still very high, in spite
Of the best medical efforts made in their
colonies are evineing sympathy with
the sufferers here. Subscription lists
have been started and food and clothing
are being forwarded to St Vincent from
all the British islands.
While the entire community is thank
ful for this help and sympathy from
British sources, on all sides are heard
grateful appreciation of the prompt aid
furnished by the United States, in send
ing the Potomac here with provisions
and other things for the destitute peo-
pie OF St Vincent. The report that the
volcanic lake which occupied the top
of the mountain has disappeared ap
pears to be confirmed A sea of lava.
emitting sulphurouS fumes, now ap-
parently occupies its place and several
new craters have been formed.
The last time the volcano showed activ-
ity, Tuesday last. the craters. Old and new,
discharged hot vapor, deep subterranean
bled at times and from the center of the
volcano huge volumes of steam rose and
the steam, issued from the new and active
crater forming an immense pail over the
ana tnen rising ana spreading until It en-
VelOped the whole island in a gray mist.
Simultaneous action upon the part of the
volcanoes of Martinique and Dominica and
elsewhere seems to denote a volcanic con-
nectlon between these ISLANDS ana appears
TO verify the assumption OF the volcanic
origin Of the mountain chains running par
alel with the SOufrfeFe in the WindWard
As this dispatch is sent it is excessively
hot here and the northern hills retain their
The sulphuric vapors which still exhale
all over the island are increasing the sick
ness and mortality among the surviving
inhabitants and are causing suffering
among the new arrivals The hospital
stats are giving way to overwork and are
with difficulty bearing up.
The stencil in the afflicted districts is
terrible-bevond description, Nearly ali
he h7Tf a wit F9HaH
bodies In some eases disinfectants and
the usual means of dlsposing of the dead
are useless and cremation has been resort
ed to. When it is possible the bodies are
dragged with ropes to the trenches and
ing used when available Many Of the
dead bodies were 50 covered with dust
were walked upon by visitors by the
relieving officers or their assistants; The
scenes witnessed We're unprecedented in
the history of this colony.
REFUGEES POURING IN
Washington, May 16-Secretary Moody
has received the following cablegram
from Commander McLain of the Gin
cinnati:
"st Lucia, May 15.-six thousand
refugees have come into Fort de France.
Three thousand have come into Kings
St. Vincent very many people persisted;
others suffering for food and water.
Very great difficulty relieving and saw
ing so many people scattered over large
cared for said to be reduced by NOR
tality. Have coaled here. Return to
Fort de France and St. Pierre today
VIII endeavor to recover records of
American and British consulates at St.
Pierre. II remains of officials are found
will bury with military honors."
Later the department received a ca
blegram announcing the arrival of the
Cincinnati at Fort de France today. A
telegram also was received announcing
that the collier Sterling which took
quantity of stores from San Juan, P. R.,
arrived at Fort de France today.
Much Importance It attached locally
to the loss which the colony has sustain
ed in the injury to the peasant proprie-
tary, scheme for the development Of
which was lately inaugurated by the
imperial government with the view of
assisting the inhabitants and in order to
encourage the people to attain prosper
ity.
Advices received here from Fort de
France say that 1ooting and robbery
are on the increase at St. Pierre and
elsewhere and that the authorities can
not cope with the conditions, especially
as local political quarrels at St. Pierre
are interfering with practical harmon
ious action. There are six thousand
refugees at Fort de France and rioting
is feared there.