Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-12
7hMtyH0uSand
Have Renshed
fifty Thousand Are Homeless and Hungry-DiSaSter at
ST. Pierre is Complete President Orders War, Navy
and Treasury Depts TO Cooperate forReGef

Washington. May i2--secy. Hay re-
ceived the following telegram dated
May IL. from United States consul
Ayme at Gaudeloupe, who went to
Fort de France, Martinique, by instruc-
tlons from this government;
THE disaster is complete, The city
wiped out Consul Prentis and his fam
ly are dead. Governor says 10000 have
persisted, 5000 are homeless and hun
cry He suggests that the Red Cross
be asked to send Goldfish. flour, beans,
rice. salt meats and biscuit as quick
ly as possible. Visits Of warships valu-
able"
An important feature Of Consul Ay-
mes cablegram is the reference by him
TO the governor as an authority for
the estimate Of the loss Of life Freed,
ing dispatches, including the official
messages received at the French colon
ial office in Paris, reported that there
was no doubt that Gov. Mouttet, as
well as Col. Dain. the military COM
mander at st. Pierre, had persisted.
The navy department was this morn
ing informed Of the departure Of the
cruiser Cincinnati from San Domingo
City for Martinique,
The navy department has also been
informed Of the departure of the ocean
going tug Potomac from San Juan, f..
r., for Martinique, She probably will
arrive there by tomorrow night.
PRESIDENT ORDERS Co.oPERA-
TON.
Washington, May 12-The president.
after q conference this morning with
ceveral members of his cabinet, has
ordered the war, navy and treasury de-
partments to cooperate in the adoption
OF steps Cor the relief Of the Martinique
sufferers. The state department al
ready Is acting through Its consuls In
that section. The navy transport Dixie
will be ready to sail from the Brooklyn
navy yard for martinique on Wednes-
day. The revenue cutter service also
will render all possible aid and having
at least two cutters in southern waters,
IL Is believed they VIII be ordered at
once to the western islands
The war department has on hand at
New York large amount OF good sup
plies and these probably viii be drawn
upon The president has prepared a
message which will be submitted to
Ito 20.
appropriation to which these steps are
preliminary and snticipatory
Later by the presidents direction or
ders were telegraphed 10 the Dixie 10
load the torres which are TO be fur
nlshed by the army as rapidly as pos
sihle and clear for Martinique at the
earliest Dossible moment.
VESSELS START FOR ST. PIERRE.
Fort de France. Island OF Martinique.
Sunday, May 1l.-Several steamers. In
Guiding the government vessel Rubis,
started from here yesterday for st.
Pierre. They had on board govern
ment delegate, a number Of gendarmes,
a detachment Of regular infantry and
several priests. The vessels also car
ried a quantity Of fire wood. petroleum
and quick lime, for use In the crema-
ton OF the bodies Of the victims Of the
terrible volcanic outbreak Of Thurs
day last Large quantities Of disnfect-
ants and stocks OF clothing for the
refugees also were shipped to St. Pierre.
The refugees had, as a rule, assembled
al lie Carbet and Case Piote, not far
from 81. Pierre and Il Is reported, over
a thousand OF them have died since the
fearful stream OF lava poured down
Mont Pelee.
THE SEA WRECKAGE COVERED
The sea for miles round was covered
with the wreckage Of the vessels sunk
of st. Pierre at the time OF the disaster
and ashore only few trees, all bent
seward by the force OF the volcanic
were left standing. When near
Ing 81. Pierre the Rubis met num-
Der Of tugs towing lighters filled with
The heat from the smoking, |
lava covered ruins al St Pierre was
suffocating, and the stencil from the |
corpse-strewn streets was awful, Only |
4 few walls were standing The report |
that the hospital clock was found in !
tact, with It's hands stopped at 1850 |
was confirmed, as was the statement |
that the offices Of the cable company |
had entirely disappeared.
on all sides were found portions OF |
,orpses. which were gathered up by the |
soldiers and gendarmes and burned on |
1ne OF the public squares.
Not a drop OF water was procurable |
ashore. The darkness caused by the |
clouds Of volcanic dust shrouded the |
.own and continuous subterranean rum
bling added to the horror Of the scene.
FORT WAS RAZED. !
The fort and central quarters Of the
.own were RACED to the ground and
we're replaced by beds OF hot cinders, !