The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-23
Continued Exodus from Fort DE
France, which Many People Be
lieve to Be Unsafe.
LANDING OF THE SCIENTISTS
STORES OF THE AUXILIARY CRUISER
DIXIE ALSO PUT ASHORE.
Graphic Description of the Latest Out
break of Mont PeIee-St. Vim
cent Now a Desert.

FORT DE FRANCE. Island OF Martin
iuue Nav PA veritable reign OF terror
exists in Martinique outside this city, and
a feeling Of uneasiness is still apparent
here Many persons have already fled from
the city. fearing il will be overwhelmed by
a volcanic eruption, and there is talk of
evacuating the whole island. In fact, the
island, except Fort de France. is already
almost depopulated, nearly all the people
having come here.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press has had an interview with NJ. Clerc,
a member of the Legislature of Martinique,
who recently explored the vicinity OF Mont
Pelee He said: Il started Friday last for
Mont Pelee by the road leading along the
coast from Basse Pointe, and; accompanied
by NJ. TelIoame ChanceIe. chief engineer of
the sugar works, 1 reached height of
LBS meters without difficulty and was able
10 ascertain that the present crater is
about 800 meters in diameter. On the east
1t is overlooked by the Morue La Croix, the
eliminating point Of the island. having an
altitude of 1850 meters. which is completely
crumbled and mined at it's base as a re-
suit OF the volcanic action and might easily
collapse. The Morne Petit Bon Homme
has an incandescent aspect.
In order to make known our presence
at the point where we stood L waved
piece Of white cloth. attached to a stick, in
the air. which was replied TO by corre-
spending signal from an inhabitant Of
Morne Rouge. who signaled to me in this
manner in order TO show that he saw us.
We selt a number OF electric connections
and our shoes were damaged by the heat.
The pond which situated near Morne
La Croix is completely dried up. The iror
cross which stood al the foot of the noun.
tain has been melted. Only the base of the
masonry on which the cross stood and the
lower part OF the foot of the cross can be
ssen.
THE rims of the crater have been very
much changed in appearance. The heat
where we stood intense and the whole
aspect OF the mountain was terrifying.
stones fell around us and we picked up
large pieces of sulphur which, however,
we we're unable TO retain. The whole spot
charged with electricity, which be-
came so violent that we were obliged TO
retreat.
Our descent from the mountain was
more difficult than our ascent. A binding
rain of ashes fell upon and the engineer
was nearly killed by a large stone which
fell him. We succeeded in reaching
Basse Pointe, on our return, after having
been four hours the mountain under
the most dangerous circumstances"
The recent rains of ashes and volcanic
rocks. weighing as much as seventy-fve
gramms, which have fallen here caused
so much CONSERVATION among the inhab-
ttants OF Fort de France that those who
have not left the city are anxious to do so
and large numbers emigrating to the
Island of Guadeloupe. where, it is now es-
timated here, 100 people from Martinique
have already sought shelter.
During her last exploring trip about the
island the French cruiser Suchet, which
did not stop at ST. Pierre, noticed that
all the formerly cultivated land between
Grande Rivere and Marigot has been COM
pletely destroyed. The inhabitants of those
two towns have suffered and are still
suffering great deal. but they have not
yet determined 10 abandon those localities.
and efforts are being made to supply them
with provisions. The Suchet also reports
that she approached the point of land
where the land was in a better state of
preservation. especially between Macouba
and Lorraine, shower of stones and sui
phur caused those of the population of
Morne Rouge who had remained there to
hastily evacuate that place. For some time
apprehensions were felt regarding the safe
~ Of the detachment of French troops
duartered at lie Carbet. but there has been
no loss of life among them. according to the
most recent reports
The French gunboat Joffroy took on
board about 80 of the inhabitants OF the
neighborhOOd OF lie Carbet 1t is estimated
that about 5000 persons will by night time
to-day have left Fort de France for the
extreme southern part of the island.