The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-20
At IT AGAIN.
st. Thomas Reports Hearing
Heavy DetOnatiOns.
To the Southeast in the Direc.
tion of Martinique.
LOUDER THAN BEFORE
Many Evidences That st. Pierre
Had Ample Warming.
Subscriptions to Relief Fund
Are Called OFF.

st. Thomas, D. W. 7, May 20.-At 6
o'clock this morning heavy detonations
were heard from the southeast, the di-
rection in which Martinique lies, sur
passing those of May z.
Fort de France, Island of Martinique.
May 20-A severe inundation at Basse
Pointe, on the northeast coast of this
island, at 2 o'clock this morning swert
away 20 houses and so other buildings
We're damaged by the flowing mud
which has swept over the Vallee de La
Riviere There was no further loss of
life, Basse Pointe being abandoned sew
eral days ago.
Access to the ruins of St. Pierre is
still impossible.
The United States cruiser Cincinnati
and the United States special steamer
Potomac, which left here yesterday for
St. Pierre in another attempt to re-
cover the bodies Of the United States
and British consuls and their families,
have not been able to land their search
ing parties owing to the intense clouds
of cinders sweeping over the stricken
RELIEF IS SUFFICIENT.
Washington, May 20.-The following
statement was given out at the White
House:
ON Saturday Immediately on receiv-
ing Consul Ayme's dispatch, the presi-
dent directed the secretaries of war and
the navy to inquire and report as to
the true condition Of affairs IN Marti-
nique and StWincent. These reports viii
be made public as soon as received All
the supplies and all the money Subscr1b-
ed hitherto have been urgently needed,
but until further information is receiv-
ed it is deemed best that further sub
scriptions be suspended"
Fort De France, Island Of Martinique
Nav 2O-The expedition sent to recover
the bodies Of the American and British
consuls at st. Pierre today nearly Ie-
suited in a fearful horror. The vessels
/ taking part in the expedition were the
| United States steamship Potomac and
the British cruiser Indefatigable- The
/ Potomac, under the command of Lieut.
Benjamin 3. Mccormick, arrived there
| first at IL o'clock in the morning and
| landed working parties. One party went
! to the site of the American consulate
! and the other, headed by Lieut. Nc
/ Cormick, went to the north end OF the
1 town to the spot where the British con-
] Sulate stood, from where the Lieutenant
/ could see Mont Pelee and noticed thar
a huge column of smoke and gas was
pouring out of the crater in a manner
similar to the eruption of May last
| He thereupOn rushed to the site of the
| American consulate and ordered all
/ hands TO the boats. The American sail
ors picked up a heavy metallic coffin
/ IN d WOOQ case CONTAINING InE I6IIldl1lS
of the United States consul, Thomas
| T. Prentis. and carried it to a boat.
! The American party was in imminent
/ danger.
In the meanwhile the Indefatigable
had arrived off St Pierre but left the
shore, heading for the sea, blowing her
siren.At that time a huge stream of
| molten matter was pouring into the sea
| raising columns of steam and the whole
sea was hideous, having turned a yell
low green color, while what was ap-
parently smoke was rushing from the
/ mountain. The detonations were con-
| tinuous and were accompanied by a
fearful storm Of lightning, thunder and
/ rain. The flashes were of terrific viol-
| ence and during the storm new craters
| opened in Mont Pelee.
Fortunately the wind kept the clouds
| of smoke and gas from enveloping the
American and British warships. The
GOODNESS and courage of the American
sailors was most noteworthy.
The body of Mr.. Prentis is now here
I There will be a funeral service on board
the United States cruiser Cincinnati to-
morrow. The burial will take place
ashore. There will be no special cere-
mony.
The volcanic mountain is apparently
in greater activity and the escape o1
the war vessels, and, particularly Of
the shore party, was exceedingly mar
row.