The age-herald., 1902-05-14

distinct shocks They were so great that we supposed at first that there was some- one at the door, and Christine went and found no one there. The first report was very loud but the second and third were so great that dishes were thrown from the shelves and the house was completely rocked.
 I've can see Mont Pelee from the rear windows of our house, and although 1t IS fully four miles away, we can hear the roar and see the fire and lava issuing from it with terrific force.
 "The city is covered with ashes, and clouds of smoke have been over our heads. The smell of sulphur Is so strong that horses on the street stop and snort and some of them are obliged to give up drop in their harness and die from the suffocation.
 Many of the people are obliged to wear wet haAdkerchiefs over their faces to protect them from the strong fumes or sulphur. My husband assures me that there is no immediate danger, and when there is the least particle of danger we will leave the place.
 "rhere is an American schooner the R. J. Morse, in the harbor, ana will remain here for at least two weeks. L., If the. volcano becomes very bad we shall embark at once and go out to sea-"
 
 Castries. Island of St. Lucia. May 13-It is announced in advices received here this morning (Tuesday), from the island of St. Vincent, B. w. l., that 1900 persons have perished there since the Soufriere volcano has been in eruption.
 WAR DEPARTMENT
 WORKED RAPIDLY. Washington, May 13.-So comprehen- sively laid were the plans of the war de- partment yesterday even before the pas sage of the joint resolution providing for the relief of the volcano sufferers that there was very little for the officials | to do today The plans of the depart | ment after the careful consideration of 1 the news In the dispatches from the An titles contemplate the supply of forty | thousand rations for fourteen days. The l quartermaster's department Is purchasing clothing supplies for 10000 people and the medical department Is working in proportion in it's purchases.
 In the navy department the carefully planned relief measures were being car ried forward systematically and rapidly. The Buffalo has been ordered to be put in readiness for immediate use as food and supply transport Tn case 1t should be decided to send more supplies. Admiral Bradford has rendered the use 
 transport. There is no lack of indica tions of spontaneous offerings from all parts of the country, but the department has as yet made no responses. meet ing of the executive committee of the Red Cross has been called at the state department this afternoon, and 1t Is prob able the suggestion will be made that the contributions will be turned over to | this agency.
 By noon so rapidly had the govern | ment agents worked that already the war department alone had spent over $100,- GOO of the relief appropriation. and it was the opinion of the President and his cabinet that the $20O.0O0 appropriated yes terday would not be sufficient to meet the needs of the case. It was decided that an effort should be made to have Con- gross accept the estimate of s5O0OOO sub mitted in the President s message of yes- terday.
 Secretary Hay today telegraphed to Consul Ayme to ascertain the conditions at Martinique with regard to the fresh water supply, and if 1t be favorable that such water Is needed, the tenders at Nor folk and Key West, which already are being loaded by orders from Admiral Bradford In anticipation of need for them. will immediately make for the island.
 The Dixie will not probably be able to get under way Tor Martinique until to- morrow.
 The executive committee of the Red Cross this afternoon offered their services to the President
 Offers of assistance for the Martinique sufferers continue to pour in. Dr. Louis Klopsch, proprietor of the Christian Her aid, New York, telegraphed the war de- partment today offering to furnish fifty nurses, thirty male and twenty female and 1000 barrels of flour for the stricken islands, to be contributed by the Chris tian Herald.
 Captain Gaiagher's Record. New York, May 13-Capt. Hugh J. Gal lagher of the army who will go to Mar unique to superintend the distribution of supplies was the commissary officer at Tien Tsin, China during the boxer trou- bles and also rendered distinguished and valuable services In the same department during the Spanish-American war when he was stationed in Cuba. Surgeon Jas R. Church, J. B. Clayton and John Reilly will also go on the Dixie. Dr. Church was surgeon in the roughrider regiment during the Spanish war. The ship Fontabell which Is to sail on Saturday will carry supplies best adapt ed to the immediate needs of the surviv- ors. These together with the supplies aboard the steamer Madiana, which will arrived at Fort de France tomorrow. will (Continued on Second Paue)