Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-21
Second Eruption of Mt. Pelee
Spreads Terror
IN FORT DE FRANCE
FRANTIC PEOPLE RUSH DOWN TO
THE BEACH.
Volcano Was More Violent Than on
the Day st. Pierre Was
Destroyed.

CAsTRIES. Nland Of ST. Lucia. May 21.
Reports received here today confirm the
dispatches announcing that a panic pre-
vailed at Fort de France. Martinique. yes
terday. The town was covered with ashes
stones were falling and a tidal wave added
to the terror of the population, which was
flying to the hills. Three hundred refugees
have lust arrived here and thousands have
embarked for the neighboring islands.
PARIS. May Ex-Governor L'Huerre Of
the Island of Martinique, IN cable dis
patch from Fort de France. dated Tuesday,
Nav 20, confirms the Associated Press dis
patches OF yesterday, saying that at 5:I5
o'clock yesterday morning the same pbe-
nomenon appeared as on the morning Of
May S-a rain Of stones, flashes of light and
sounds Of explosions in the direction Of
Mont Pelee. The population OF Fort de
France was panic-strcken.
Later dispatches. under yesterdays date,
say that fire was falling at lie Carbet. and
that the Inhabitants and troops had evacu-
ated the place. No further fatalities had
occurred.
The dispatches received here also refer
to the departure OF Gov. LHuerre, accom-
panied by Senator knight, president of the
legislature of Martinique, yesterday morn
ing. on the French cruiser Suchet. TO recon-
noitre in the direction OF the volcano
The officials of the ministry Of the colo
MES were much disturbed by this mornings
dispatches from Fort de France. They
thought the worst was over, but the cable
messages seem to indicate that another ca
tastrophe is impending.
No confirmation had been received here
OF the dispatches reporting that Fort de
France is being evacuated.
Worse Than on May g..
FORT DE FRANCE. Island Of Marti-
nique, May 2l.-Yesterday's eruption from
Mont Pelee was violent in the extreme. Co.
lossal columns of volcanic matter were eject
ed from the volcano, which raned huge, red
not boulders many feet in diameter, on the
ruins of st. Pierre and the country near il
from an enormous elevation and with fear
full velocity. The volcanic clouds advanced
until they reached Fort de France.
The spectacle was appalling and sublime
beyond all description. The whole popula-
tion of Fort de France was thrown into a
frenzy of panic, during which soldiers. po-
lice, men and women, all terrified, frantic,
weeping and praying, rushed through the
streets, while overhead the glowing, fiery
clouds rolled relentlessly and rained down
stones, still hot, amid the swirling ashes.
The steam launch of the United States
cruiser Cincinnati took some refugees TO
the French cruiser Suchet, and nearly a
hundred persons sought refuge on the Gin
cinnati and on the United States special
steamer Potomac
At 10 o'clock the Potomac went TO in
vestigate matters, and all reports agree
that Lieut. Benjamin B. Mccormick the
commander of the steamer, did great work
He went in close to ST. Pierre and found
that city had been bombarded with enor-
nous stones from the volcano and that the
ruins left standing after the first great
disaster had been nearly razed. Millions
of tons of ashes then covered the ruined
city.
Further south smaller stones had de-
Stroyed the houses of the brave villagers
who had stuck to their homes.
Lieutenant Mccormick took on board the
Potomac $50 refugees, the Oldest Of whom
was seventy-two years and the youngest
three days old. The lieutenant fed them
and brought the party to Fort-de-France.
This work of rescue was difficult and dam
gerous
1t is reported that the whole population
of the island is fleeing toward Fort de
France. The CONSERVATION prevailing is
Mont Pelee is still very
threatening.
The French cruiser Suchet went on an
other tour round the island and did not
take part in the rescue work Of the Poto-
mac.
The United States collier Sterling has re-
turned to San Juan, Porto Rico.
The United States steamer Dixie is ex-
pected here this afternoon from New York.
Consul Prentis' Funeral
FORT DE FRANCE, Island Of Marti-
nique, Tuesday, May 2o.-Funeral services
over the remains of Thomas T. Prentis,
the late United States consul at ST. Pierre,
were held today.
Commander Thomas c. Mclean OF the
United States cruiser Cincinnati, officiated,
and the officers of the war vessels In port,
the marines and sailors, Acting Consul
Ayme and many citizens were present The
funeral cortege passed between rows Of
people who barred their heads to the flag
covering the coffin. The remains Of the
consul are now buried under acacia
tree in the cemetery here.
PORT OF SPAIN. Island Of Trinidad
Monday. May 19.-The further outbreak Of
the Soufriere volcano. on the Island of st.
Vincent. yesterday is now apparently modi-
fying. While ii lasted there Were heavy
explosions and discharges Of electric fire