Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-29
EXPLORERSARESAFE
Americans Unhurt by Mont
 Pelee's Wrath.
WHAT BIOLOGIST HILL OBSERVED.
Interesting Report of Government Expert Who Made a Horseback Journey to Martinique Volca-
 no-Crater u~af-roachabIe.

E1aY ZS.-A Lfeme0QOuS eAplOSlOu oA very black smoke from Mont Pelee at . quarter before 9 o'clock yesterday morning accentuated the fear enter tained for the safety of George Ken a land party, has been examining the northern part of the island, and the governor of Martinique, NJ. Lhuerre, was at once seen in the matter of ar ranging for rescue party to proceed by land in connection with the voyage along the coast of the island of the United States cruiser Cincinnati should such steps appear necessary.
 At about II o'clock Fernand Clerc, wealthy landed proprietor of Marti- pfque, arrived here and announced that Mir. Kennan and his party were safe on plantation at the north end of the island.
 Professor Robert T. Hill, United States government geologist and head of the expedition sent to Martinique by the National Geographical society, who left Fort de France Monday on horseback for the volcano, has just re turned here. He was completely worn out by his trip. Professor Hill recites an interesting story of his examination of the district through which he passed. He left Fort de France at l o'clock Monday afternoon. He was accompanied by Mir. Cavannaugh. an army officer from the British island of Trinidad, and boy named Joe, who was to act as interpreter.
 The party set out on horseback and took the direct north road for Morne Rouge. Between the hamlets of Deux Choux and Ponds St. Denis the party entered upon the outer edge of the zone of the ashes. Except for occasional patches all the country to this point was green and smiling.
 Upon reaching the Raibaud planta- tion, one mile southwest of St. Pierre, the explorers met the clear line of de marcation of the zone of flame and de- struction, although not of annihilation. Monday night was spent in deserted house at Ponds St. Denis. from which Professor Hill witnessed and studied the volcanic eruption of that night. At this point the horses of the party became exhausted.
 Early the next morning Professor Hill pushed on to Mont Parnasse, where several people were killed in the eruption of May 8. Professor Hill en- countered no human beings, but he did meet a number of abandoned cattle, which tried to follow him. From Mont Parnasse the explorer proceeded for Morne Rouge There he succeeded in getting a number of important photo graphs, but found that a close ap- proach to Mont Pelee was impossible, and as his actual position was danger ous he started back in a southerly di- reetion.
 At Champs Fibre Professor Hills horse gave out completely, and he se- cured the services of native guides, who led him by wild mountain paths back to Ponds St. Denis and Deux Choux. Tuesday night was spent at the latter place. From this point Pro- lessor Hill sent a messenger into Fort de France with request that car riage be sent out for him.
 Speaking personally of his expedi- tion to Mont Pelee, Professor Hill said:
 My attempt to examine the crater of Mont Pelee has been futile. I suc- ceeded, however, in getting very close to Morne Rouge. At o'clock Monday night I witnessed from point near the ruins of St. Pierre a frightful ex- plosion from Mont Pelee and noted the accompanying phenomena. While these eruptions continue no sane man should attempt an ascent to the crater of the volcano. Following the salvos of deto-s nations from the mountain gigantic mushroom shaped columns of smoke and cinders ascended into the clear, starlit sky and then spread in a vast black sheet to the south and directly over my head.
 Through this sheet, which extended a distance of ten miles from the crater, vivid and awful ightninglike bolts flashed with alarming frequency. They followed distinct paths of ignition, but were different from lightning in that the bolts were horizontal and not per pendicular. This is indisputable evi- dence Of the explosive oxidation of the gases after they left the crater This is a most important observation and explains in part the awful catastrophe. This phenomenon is entirely new in volcanic history.
 ''I took many photographs. but dc not hesitate to acknowledge that was ter rified But 1 was not the only person so frightened. Two newspaper core spondents who were close to Morne Rouge some hours before me became scared, ran three miles down the noun tain and hastened into Fort de France
 The people on the north end of the island are terrified and are fleeing with their cattle and effects
 The explosion of yesterday morning was accompanied by an enormous col umn of smoke which rose fully three miles into the air. but which was large ly hidden from the view of the people of Fort de France by heavy cumulus. There was consequently no panic here. This column of smoke was seen from the British cruiser Indefatigable while she was at sea. The Indefatigable has arrived here to make another attempt to recover the body of the British con sul at St. Pierre
 Fight With Boers.