davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
CHAMBER TO SEND RELIEF.
PRESIDENT JESUP CALLS A MEETING
FOR WEDNESDAY

The New-York Chamber OF Commerce will
come TO the aid Of the sufferers in the Martin
ique disaster. President Morris X. Jesup said
yesterday that he had sent out a call for spe-
cial meeting 10 be held on Wednesday at
1890 p. m
Relief should be rendered promptly" said
Mr. Jesup. but in view OF the difficulty in get
ting anything like adequate news through from
the scene of trouble. 1 thought that we should
act to better advantage If some time were al
lowed for receiving fuller information. Accord
inGly the special meeting has been set for
Wednesday rather than called Immediately.
We shall do all we to help relieve the situa-
tion. 1t IS a sad case. and should be met with
timely sympathy of a practical kind
Mr.. Jesup said he regretted that the relief bill
in Congress had been objected to. He thought
it should have been passed in the House. 1t
was in the Senate without debate.
1t is probable that a committee of members of
the Chamber Of Commerce will be named at the
Wednesday meeting to solicit subscriptions to a
relief fund But the steps to be taken have not
yet been decided upon. though il is said be
likely that the precedent set by the Chamber in
sending aid 10 Galveston at the time of the re-
cent disaster there will be followed. in which
case the work will be confined to members of
the Chamber with such other business men as
may care to assist.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
THE PEACE NEGO7TA TTONS.
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTH
AFRICA

London, May 12.-"The Times this morning
negotiations follows;
on the receipt of the Dutch correspondence
intimating that Great Britain ready 10
listen To proposals from the Beers in the feld.
the acting President of the Transvaal General
asked permission to consult with Mr. Steyn,
former President of the Orange Free State. This
led TO the BOer delegates going to Pretoria
Their first proposal 10 Lord Kitchener and Lord
Miner Che British High Commissioner in South
Afrca) was that the republics should merely
concede all the demands made by Great Britain
regarding the franchise. etc, before the war
The British Government, in reply, referred
them To the Middelburg conference as the maxi
mum of possible concessions, and refused per-
mission TO the Beers to consult their friends in
Europe. Eventually, while refusing an armis-
tice Lord Kitchener undertook not to modest
the hurghers while they We're actually holding
meetings with the commanders to authorize the
leaders to negotiate on the basis of the surren-
der OF independence; but they were told il was
useless 10 return TO Pretoria without being
armed with full powers to negotiate
Mr.. Schalkburger assented to this but MFR
Steyns acqutescence seemed doubtful
The Times declare that Lords Kitchener and
Miner promised generous compensation for
burned farms. raised no difficulty with regard
TO the pardon OF banshed leaders and gave as
surances that the question of amnesty for
rebels did not present insuperable difficulties
The Times, in an editorial article on this
matter is not hopetul that peace will be the out
come OF such negotiations, and fears that rho
result OF the election of member OF Parlia
ment for Bury, Lancashire will influence tba
Beers to further resistance
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
HOW EARTHQUAKES ARE RECORDED.
T. o. HOVEY DESCRIBES THE WORKINGS
OF TIE sEIsMOMETER.

f. o. Hovey of the Museum of Natural History
yesterday gave a Tribune reporter interesting
account of the scientific instrument used to record
earthquakes from which many interesting details
will later be known about the st. Pierre disturb
The recording instrument" said Mr.. Hovey. "is
called a seismometer 1t consists of a large jar
of mercury set In circular iror frame and sur
rounded by sixteen small cups. This is set on the
ground In a place where II will not be affected by
any other disturbance than some natural eruption
Then, when the shock comes the result of course
is TO spill the mercury from the centre jar into
the little cups the opposite side from that from
which the shock comes. Thus the general direction
OF the earthquake is shown But some of the Jars
will naturally receive more than others, because
they in the direct line of the force. The
that receives the most will naturally indicate the
direction in which the shock IS moving
There is also pendulum arrangement on the
same principle. which by the assistance of certain
recording mechanism, registers the fact
These instruments have been used for many years
is interesting TO that the most available
book upon the geology OF Martinique is that writ
ten some few years ago by a Russian. The book
published in German.
island of Martinique is situated the intersection
of two lines of volcanic energy one running
through the islands from northeast to southwest
the other from southeast to northwest. 1t has
intersection is the most dangerous. Take, for ex-
ample. the famous volcano OF CotoPaxi that is sit
and is the most notable of the South American
THE famous outbreak at Krakatoa was accom-
panied by "A huge tidal wave most of these
age done at that time was done by the wave
This crossed the Pacific Ocean in a few
America am Interested to learn where the ': tdai
wave in this outbreak was noted we should hear
disturbance at Mount soufriere, in st. Vincent
line Of Volcanoes. Though as matter Of az fsct Hs
were considered active. think they are likely now
TO be famous
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12

families were killed: not forty escaped
The provisions at Fort de France under
guard; the negroes demanding food, and
terror reigns. The Corona has brought to
Dominica some survivors of the Roraima. The
report of the loss of the cableship Grappler is
confirmed A tidal wave helped to overturn
the shipping.
At St. Vincent on May I, scorie from Soufriere
fell like hail; estates destroyed in the
country, and Georgetown was thickly covered
with ashes There were earthquake shocks
also, and telephone communication was cut Off
In the afternoon thick darkness fell upon this
island Thirty deaths are reported.
At Barbados the sky was overcast and the
heat was excessive
Heartrending scenes were to be witnessed in
the families Of St Thomas.
There is no cable communication beyond St
Lucia.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
NO OFFICIAL REPORTS.
BOTH STATE AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS
h WITHOUT INFORMATION FROM
MI MARTINIQUE.

Washington. May 11.-Nothing came to the
State Department to-day from the consular rep
resentatives of the United States in the West
Indies touching the disaster at St. Pierre the
officials getting their information on the subject
entirely from The newspaper reports. This con-
diton, however is not expected to last long, as
Mr.. Ayme consul at Gaudeloupe reported to-
day that he expected TO leave there for Mar
Unique tonight He will communicate promptly
what he rms to the department The Navy
Department also was without any information
to-day from the cruiser Cincinnati, whose COM
mander directed to proceed from San Do
mingo to Martinique 10 render such aid as was
possible; nor has anything been heard from the
Potomac which at San JUAN and to whose
commander was given authority to go to the
stricken island.
Secretary Moody informed that the Dixie,
at New-York would be ready for sea by
Tuesday morning. This report was in answer to
orders that she be prepared for sea as soon as
practicable, and if this government undertakes
TO render assistance to the islanders she will be
utilized carry provisions and other supplies to
the people.
President Roosevelt has sent a dispatch to
President Loubet expressing the regret of this
nation the horrible catastrophe at ST
Pierre.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
be able in ten years to provide all that England
needs in the way of necessaries.
FEAR WORSE MAY COME.
LONDON ALARMED LEST THE CONVULSION
REACH OTHER ISLANDS.

LONDON ALARMED LEST THE CONCLUSIONS
REACH OTHER ISLANDS.
London, May 1.-THE latest reports received
here say that the state of affairs at st. Vincent
creates grave alarm. especially dispatches
from the island of Dominica, forwarded Sunday,
reported that the Soufrere volcano, in st. Vim
cent. was still in active eruption. Four small
boats loaded with refugees from Grand Riviere,
Martinique have arrived at Dominica in pitt
able condition. They report that six other boats
left that village at the same time. 1t is not
known what became of them.
The very slight discrepancies in the various
accounts of the volcanic outbreak n the West
Indies which have reached London leave only
shadow of hope that the later details will greatly
minimize the extent of the catastrophe, and the
fear is beginning to seize the British papers that
even worse news may come.
For instance The Standard in an editorial
this morning, says
1t is only too clear that the area affected is
larger than known at first. If Dominica and
ST Lucia have not suffered greatly there is
TO fear that their turn may come. is it
by any means certain that corresponding
VulsionS have not occurred or may not
follow the mainland of Central and South
America. In the presence of such forces is
helpless, and we can only prepare TO relieve
the survivors speedily possible. The
United States has set us an honorable example.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
HUNDREDS OF INQUIRIES.
CABLE OFFICES OBLIGED TO HIRE
EXTRA MEN MESSAGES RECEIVED
FROM ST VINCENT AND ST. LUCIA.

All of the cable offices in this city experienced
one of the busiest Sundays in their history yes
terday account of the hundreds of inquiries
concerning the Martinique disaster. Most of the
offices engaged extra men TO handle the many
messages that were sent and received and an
other force was on deck To answer questions.
either by telephone or through the glass win
dows in the outer offices of the companies.
1t was stated at the Western Union office last
evening that messages had been received from
st. Vincent Island and the island of ST. Lucia.
which are just south of i'll fated Martinique by
a much shorter route than has carried any mes
sage to or from that quarter since the eruption
of Mont Pelee. This route from st. Vim
cent to Ponce. to Santiago, to Havana, and
thence here. 1t could not be learned at the
headquarters of the company last night just how
the messages were taken to st. Vincent Island.
The wires between Martinique and st. Lucia
and st. Lucia and St Vincent are broken and
have been since the first eruption so it is con-
jectured that they were carried by steamer or
sailing vessel. The local office inquired about
this yesterday afternoon, but word has come
to throw light on it. This route, while probably
safe enough, is not used to any extent by the
senders of messages. which are transmitted over
that route at the senders' risk.
A dispatch sent now has to travel across to
Europe. and thence down to Pernambuco and up
the South American coast to Martinique, the
route used since the catastrophe.
All the cable offices received the following Of
fetal information yesterday:
Gable between Martinique and Paramaribo Is
now working and communication re-established
with Martinique via Madeira -Teneriffe-Noro
ha."
The price of 81 90 a word still prevails.
The work of repairing the cables has already
been begun by all the big cable companies. The
loss of the cable boat Grappler. which was sunk
in the harbor OF st. Pierre, is a bad one. for 1t
of the most perfectly equipped boats of
it's kind afioat. The Duchess. smaller repair
boat has set out from st. Thomas, her home
port, and will try to mend some of the broken
lines on the bottom of the ocean. When the
breaks are repaired and communication is once
more possible 1t will afford a great relief to the
public. for the one lone wire that now connects
with Martinique is literally worked to DEATH
both by the governments and the news gather
ing world.
At the office of the French Cable Company
yesterday it was stated that the cable boat
Contre- Amiral Caubert now in Halifax, would
probably start Immediately to assist the Pouyer
Quertier which has done such gallant work
about Martinique.
The work of repairing or laying new cables 70
Martinique from the north is expected TO be
difficult.
All the messages received were private, and
their contents could not be learned.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
NO WORD FROM HIS RELATIVES.

Charles van Romondt, who came from St.
Pierre recently, said yesterday that he had re-
ceived no word from his relatives at st. Pierre.
A dispatch from Pointe-A- Pitre. Guadeloupe had
been received by him. saying that there no
word of his relatives.
IF they have escaped from the disaster" said
Mr.. Van Romondt at his rooms in Graham
Court. Seventh-ave. and One e-hundred-and-six-
teenth-st, lit seems strange that nothing
has been heard from them OF course,
cable communication is interrupted, but ap-
parently the Suchet has been making trips to
and from the island and some word, 1t seems,
would have been carried. They are we'll known
in st. Pierre. being prominent people there, and
have relatives in GuadelOupe. 1t may be that
further word will come later-all messages have
10 take the rounda bout route of the southern
French cable to Lsbon-but l have little
couragement far
MI Van Romondt's brother-in-law, Louis de
Surgy was in charge of the French custom
house in st. Pierre; his cousin was the wife of
the British consul. James Jopp. and several
other relatives concerned. Mr.. Van Ro-
mondt was until recently the Dutch consul at
st. Pierre, and is the representative in st. Pierre
of l.. w & +. Armstrong & Co., of No. 106
Wall-st.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
LACK OF SHIPS MAY BLOCK RELIEF

w. r. Corwine, secretary of the Merchants
Association. said last night that meeting of
the directors and officers of the association
would probably be called this morning TO con-
slider plans for sending relief to Martinique
II do not know that anything definite will be
DONE he said because the information at hand
is so very vague. 1 think. probably. we will wait
few days for more complete details. I cannot
how supplies can be sent down there how
ever. on account of the scarcity of steamers
The Outerbridge people have lost their steamer
and from what experience / have had. it seems
to me almost impossible to charter any kind OF
a vessel. At the time of the Galveston disaster
the government gave the committee a transport
in which TO send relief, but the transport ser
vice has now been discontinued"
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
MANY DROWNED IN FLIGHT.

PERIsHED WHILE TRYING TO REACH THE
ISLAND OF DOMINICA
St Thomas. .. W. l.. May 1-Advices re-
ceived here from the island OF Dominica to-day
say that boats arriving there report that many
persons were drowned while crossing to Domin-
lea from the island of Martinique where some
of the out parishes have been inundated. The
eruption of Mont Pelee (MartlnIque) continues
The lava is flowing northward. The whole
northern region is now a rocky waste denuded
of vegetation.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
ST. VINCENT CABLE INTERRUPTED.

The Western Union Telegraph Company's
Central Cable Office has received the following
notice:
The cable is o. K. TO Guadeloupe Cable to
St Vincent interrupted. Messages go by first
opportunity from Dominica or st. Lucia.
The Commercial Cable Company has sent out
the following notice:
We are advised that the cable between Mar
tinique and Paramaribo is now working, and
communication re-established with Martinique,
via Madeira, Teneriffe and NorOnha.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
ST. THOMAS IN MOURNING.
MEDICAL STORES AND PROVISIONS SENT TO
MARTINIQUE.
Copyright; 1902: By The Tribune Association)

Copyright; 1902 By The Tribune Association)
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEI
St Thomas, May list. Thomas is in mourn
ing; flags are at halfmast for the many rela-
tives on the ships which were lost at ST Pierre
A subscription list has been opened for the
benefit of the widows and orphans The Val
kyrien has gone to the scene of the disaster
with medical stores and provisions.
The eruption was avalanche of steam.
boiling mud and lava, which swept all be-
fore it. Eighteen ships which were in the road
stead were instantly upset and burned. Every
house in st. Pierre destroyed by fire. The
streets are heaped with dead. The Governor
the American and English consuls and their
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
on THE WORST POSSIBLE DAY.
MANY COUNTRY PEOPLE WE'RE IN ST
PIERRE ON BUSINESS

Bordeaux France, May 11.-Only few replies
have been received to messages of inquiry from
a host of Bordeaux merchants having business
connections in st. Pierre. A small number of
messages chronicle the saving of private fam
lilies and individuals. but most Of the dispatches
are merely announcements that big business
establishments have been wiped out.
1t has developed that the catastrophe in Mar
Unique occurred the worst possible day
namely. the day of the arrival of the French
and the departure of the English mail steamers
In co sequence of this fact, many business men
IN the city of st. Pierre instead of at their
country places. as they otherwise would have
been
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12

The British Royal Mail steamer Solent has
gone from Barbados to Martinique with supplies
and doctors.
From the island of Trinidad the British Royal
Mail steamer Kennel has gone to Fort de
France
1t is reported here that Fort de France MAR
tinique) is threatened
Great tension prevails everywhere throughout
the West Indies
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
THE FIRE RECORD YESTERDAY

li:1o a m--No. l33 East One-hunaraa and ,o,r,h -.
Minnie Mahoney trihing ~ ~
1905 a. Mo. 5a5 East One b,,nA-u, .-a ,.A.A -.
Mr. Mccormack trihng ~ ''e' ~
.. m--No lS' TO III king-st.; James Ryan: $4,000
4;lo D. m-No l2S Goerck-st Israel Frterman; 81 coo
4;2o D. mNo 2S2 West Thirtieth-st Jacob Ward: slOO
35 p. m-No. ~ East Twenty rouIs TTo,s
SIS. "'-' A0 i'iueh'
Der Yard; $4,000 ~ " ~ A4i-
D. m--No TO- West Thrtieth-st; John Stanley; $500
o. h.-No zoo East Broadway; Dr. Wenrnan: trthing
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
NO COAL AT NAVY YARD FOR THE DIME

Rear Admiral Barker. commandant OF the Brook
lyn Navy Yard said yesterday that he had received
orders to get the converted cruiser Dixie ready for
sea at the earliest possible moment but that no
orders for sailing had been received. and he had
not been informed officially that she was going To
St Pierre. II Will be possible 10 get RE D1xie
ready before Tomorrow perhaps not until Wednes-
DAY Her coal supply is exhausted, and there was
not enough at the yard yesterday to hll her bunk
ers. hurry order was sent out and IL is expect
eq that there Will be plenty of coal at the ward
this morning ~ ~ 'A'"
- II II were intended TO use the Dixie as a boat for
Barker said, no better vessel in the navy coiiId he
selected as she was formerly regular liner and
ntd iatse cargo and passenger carrying capacity.
me DlNle returned 10 Brooklyn last Friday from
a ten months cruise with crew OF apnrentices
ana and landsmen. She is in command of Captain
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
LAKE ON DOMINICA DISAPPEARS.

ST Thomas, d. w. l. May II, $50 p. MA
dispatch just received here from the island of
Dominica. d. W. l., says that man who has
just returned from the boiling lake district of
that island went within hundred yards of the
lake and found that the water had disappeared
and that from vent ten feet in diameter in the
centre arising a column of steam to a height
of thirty feet before spreading into the at
mosphere. That district otherwise was appar-
entity unchanged but the sulphur gases were
very strong
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
CONSUL AYME GOES TO MARTINIQUE.

Washington, May 1.-THE State Department
received a cable dispatch to-day from United
States Consul Ayme at Guadeloupe stating
that ne would lrave there for Martinique to-
night. The State Department cabed Consul
Ayrae yesterday 20 proceed at once to Martin
Ique and report upon the situation there, but it
IS thought at the department that its instruc-
tions have not yet reached him, and that, real
tzing the need of prompt action, he has gone to
Martinique OF his own volition.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
LORD PAUNCEFOTE I'LL.

Washington. May l1-Lord Pauncefote the Brit
lsh Ambassador. continues quite III here. and his
condition Is giving the family some concern. He is
suffering from asthma and stomach and other
troubles, and owing his advanced age his system
fans 70 respond readily to treatment as was
hoped would be the case.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
PASSED MARTINIQUE ON MAY 5.
THE GRENADAs OFFICERS HAD HEARD OF
THE RUMBLINGs ON THE STRICKEN
ISLAND.

The Trinidad liner Grenada Captain Murchi-
son. arrived here yesterday from Trinidad, car
ryng about forty cabin passengers. The ship
passed the island Of Martinique on the morning
OF May >, after hearing of the rumbllngs on
that island and ST. Vincent. and some of the
officers OF the boat were the lookout for
eruptons or fire. they passed the long chain
Of islands News Of the rumbngs on ST. Vim
cent and Martinique reached the captain while
the Grenada was at Grenada, an island directly
south OF St Vincent and he spoke of II to the
second officer OF the ship. James McGrath. The
latter said yesterday afternoon that the news
of the destruction Martinique first reached
the Grenada while off Sandy Hook. He was not
greatly surprised.
The people in Grenada seemed TO think
great deal about the noises while were
there" said McGrath yesterday, and from the
talk l heard judge they were frightened. We
put out from Grenada the 18th. and passed
Martinique about o'clock the next morning.
Our course carries us about fifty miles from
the island. and. as the morning partly
clear, we could easily see the mountains in the
distance. The whole chain Of islands down
there are likely to go off like that at any time.
and I tell you 1T is a bad place, and l wonder
anybody lives there.
McGrath further said that a ship of the Trini-
dad Line plying between the same ports the
Grenada would arrive in New-YOrk a week from
Wednesday, and in all probability would have
planty of news of the disaster. He had been TO
Martinique. and said the country was beautiful.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
DIED ON THE RORAIAIA.

Des Moines. Iowa Nav n.-William ]. Ince. of
this city received word yesterday that his and
cousin. Mrs. II. j. Ince, and her son. Samuel. were
among the passengers the Roraima who perished
at St, Pierre. They had been visiting in New-York
and were returning to their home in Barbados.
New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
RIVERS OF LAVA.
NORTHERN DISTRICT or ST VINCENT
COMPLETELY DESTROYED-ANN-
IETY IN LONDON.
Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Assooiation.)

Copyright: 1902: BY The Tribune Association)
Especial to The Tribune by French csbiel
London. May II, l a. ma dispatch has
reached here from St. Lucia describing ter
rible state of affairs on St Vincent. The erup-
ton Of the volcano there was first observed last
Monday. when huge volumes of water shot up.
Ever since there has been continuous roar.
The northern district of the island is completely
destroyed. Many rivers of lava have been
formed, one Of them half mile wide, and val
ley has been transformed into hill.
Sixty persons were killed by lightning while
trying to escape while the island is covered
with ashes. in some districts three feet deep.
There was a continuous shower of hot sand
and water Thursday. by which time nearly
everything on the island ruined. Many peo-
pie were picked up by boats from Kingstown.
Some Of the refugees their arrival at the
coast were dying of thirst. There is no sign of
ably perished.
Anxiety with regard to the fate of the people
of st. Vincent will not be diminished by the
latest telegram received at the Colonial Office
from the Governor of the windward Islands,
Sir r. B. Llewelyn He says:
In continuation of my last telegram. my inten-
tion was to go to St. Vincent in a small coasting
steamer. but was strongly advised not 10 at
tempt the trip the steamer narrowly escaped
being wrecked yesterday and the weather
was looking very bad in that direction The
island is invisible owing to a dense black fog,
cinders and sand. l very anXiously await
ing the arrival of a warship.
The Admiralty is keenly alive TO the needs OF
the situation, and, in addition TO the Indefati-
gable. from Trinidad, the Pallas has now been
ordered 10 proceed with supplies from Jamaica.