Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-05-23
The ISLAND IN DANGER
The Scientists Explore Martin.
ique and Their Report is Not
Encouraging.
Geol Ogist Jaeger Says the Vol.
Can0 is Now in Most Dan-
gerous State.
Believes the Whole Island is
in Danger OF Destruc.
ton.

lean scientists who reached here on the
cruiser Dixie yesterday declare that the
entire island is in grave danger. The
scientists lost no time in visiting the
runs of ST. Pierre. The northern city is
now entirely buried and new assures
are opening.
Professor Jaeger, the Harvard geo.
logist, says the volcano is now in a
most dangerous condition to the whole
island. There is no evidence of lava,
The people We're killed by an explosive
volcanic tornado which bore with 1t q
wave of burning gas. No lapilli Were
found, but there was much volcanic
dust which bore great similarity to
that at Pompeii, but was more des-
tructive.
NJ. Clerc, member of the legislature
of Martinique, who recently explored
the vicinity of Mont Pelee, said:
81 started on Friday last for Mont Pc
lee by the road leading along the coast
from Basse Pointe and, accompanied by
M. Teloame Chancele, chief engineer Of
the sugar works, l reached height OF
1926 meters without difficulty, and was
able to ascertain that the present era
ter is about 800 meters in diameter. On
the east 1t is overlooked by the Morne
la Croix, the eliminating point of the
island, having an altitude of 1850 MET
ers, which is completely crumbled and
mined at its base, as q result of the
volcanic action, and might easily COL
lapse. The Morne Petit Bon Homme
has an incandescent aspect.
In order to make known our pres
ence at the point where we stood, /
waved a piece of white cloth, attached
to a stick, in the air, which was replied
to by a corresponding signal from an
inhabitant Of Morne Rouge. who sig
nailed to me in this manner in order to
show that he saw us.
1--WE felt number of electric COM
motions and our shoes were damaged
by the heat.
The pond which was situated near
Morne la Croix. is completely dried up.
.'The iron cross which. stood at the
foot of the mountain has been melted.
Only the base of the masonry on which
the cross stood, and the lower part of
IL.
"The rims of the crater have much
changed in appearance and the heat
where we stood was intense, and the
whole aspect of the mountain was ter
rifying. Stones fell around us and we
picked up large pieces of sulphur.
which, however, we We're unable to re-
tain. The whole spot was charged with
electricity, which became so violent
that we We're obliged to retreat.
Our descent from the mountain was
more difficult than our ascent. A blind
ing rain of ashes fell upon us, and the
engineer was nearly killed by a large
stone which fell near him. We succeed
ed in reaching Basse Pointe on our re-
turn, having been four hours on the
mountain under the most dangerous
circumstances"
During its last exploring trip about
the ISLAND the French cruiser Suchet,
which did not stop at st. Pierre, no.
ticed that all the formerly cultivated
land between Grande Revere and Mar
igot has been completely destroyed.
The Inhabitants of those two towns
have suffered and are still suffering a
great deal. but they have not yet deter
mined to abandon those localities, and
efforts are being made to supply them
with provisions.
The Suchet also reports that as it ap-
preached the point of the land where
the land was In better state of pres
ervation, especially between Macouba
and Lorraine, q shower OF stones and
sulphur caused those Of the population
of Morne Rouge, who had remained
there to hastily evacnate that place.
For time some apprehension was
felt regarding the safety of the detach-
ment of French troops quartered at LIE
Corbet. but there has been no loss OF
recent reports
The French gunboat Joffroy took on
board aobut 100 of the inhabitants of
the neighborhood Of LIE Corbet. 1t IS
estimated that about 5000 persons will |
by night time today have left Fort de-
France for the extreme southern part |
Of the island.
Fort de France was in darkness on
Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The
electric light plant was shut down by
order Of the mayor, The people are
the lightning and destroy the city.
Many residents had threatened to de-
stroy the plant unless 1t was closed |
down. Twenty persons convicted of
footing We're sentenced There are 5000
in the public buildings.
VOTING MACHINE FOR HOUSE.