Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-12
VOLCANO STILL BELCH|NG FORTH LAVA AND FIRE.
Assistance Being Hurried to Stricken Districts Feared
That ST. Vincent May Be Overwhelmed
by the Volcano Soufiere.

Paris, Nay 1.-THE Temps, today,
referring to the destruction of ST.
Pierre says:
we believe from the information
received here from the island Of Mar
Unique mcaning doubtless the official
dispatches). that the disaster surpassea
all the imagination can convey. The
whole northeastern portion of the
island is laid waste. Three large com
munities, exclusive of st. Pierre, have
been destroyed. The victims comprise
two candidates for todays ballotage
for members Of the Chambers of Depu-
ties
A dispatch received here, today, from
Fort De France, Martinique, says:
"All the hills surrounding lie Carbet
and lie Precheur (near st. Pierce, are
covered with refugees, to the number
of about 5000, VINO are being taken
away gradually. In the meanwhile
provisions are being conveyed to them.
"Of the 80 persons, who were origin
ally rescued by the French cruiser Su-
chet, the majority were fearfully burn
ed and nine died while on their way to
The hospital.
The corpses which are heaped in the
ruins of st. Pierre are not only COM
pletely naked, but are fTightfuIly mu-
| tilated."
The minister of marine, NJ. De
Lanessan, today, received a cable dis
patch from the commander of the
French cruiser Suchet, dated Fort De
| France, Martinique, saying that he
| conducted a search at St. Pierre, yes
| terday. The captain reports that the
town is now mere heap of smoking
ruins, under which the victims Of the
! catastrophe are buried.
The Suchet was able to convey some
Of the inhabitants of lie Precheur to
Fort De France, but could not reach
| the northernost part of the island on
account of the dense rain of ashes
which was falling.
The captain of the Suchet further re-
ported that the Mont Pelee volcano
still had threatening aspect, yester-
day evening. Subterranean rumblings
We're still heard. flashes of flame fire.
ouently belched from the volcano and
stones were thrown out with immense
force.
| A dispatch received at the colonial
Office here, today, from Fort De France
says there is no doubt that Governor
Mouttet and the commander Of tho
troops at St. ierre, Col. Dain, are dead
Other dispatches confirm the reports
that the American and British con5uls
and their families persisted.
NJ. Bloch. inspector of finance, and
NJ. Lebarthe. the colonial ministers
secretary, VINO have been dispatched
by the government to Martinique. sailed
from Brest. today, on board the French
cruiser D'Assas. which carries money
provisions and other stores for tile re-
lief Of the Martinique sufferers.
"A French cable official who went Il
st. Pierre reports that the company's
office has been burned to ashes anC
that there is no trace Of the staff. This
official adds that the cremation Of the
bodies Of the victims has begun and
that the cable steamer Pouyer Quer-
tier is proceeding to repair the north
ern cable.
The waves of lava are still reported
to be flowing northward. They have
extended even to LIE Carbet.
/ The candidates for election to thu
French Chamber of Deputies who per
ished at st. Pierre were NJ. Percin ant
NJ. lie Clerc.
The colonial minister has organized
a relief distribution committee consist
ing CT himself and NJ. De Crais, forme
colonial minister, the colonial member
of the Chamber of Deputies, the colo
NAL senators and number of CONNER
cial men. The first meeting Oh thl
committee will occur, Tuesday
President Loubet has contributed ~,
600 francs $4,000 and the cabinet ha
donated $500 francs $1,000 to the fun