New-York tribune., 1902-05-28
WEST INDIAN DISASTERS.
DEEPEST INTEREST FELT AT ST.
THOMAS IN ERUPTIONS OF MONT
PELEE AND SoUFFRIERE-No
FEAR OF LIKE CALAMITY.

the cable ship Grappler at St. Pierre, with
over fifty breadwinners of this little commu-
nifty, and the distress entailed upon their fam
lilies have been sufficient to absorb public at
tentlon almost to the exclusion OF everything
else. Subscription lists have been started in
this island for Martinique and st. Vincent
These have had prompt response One has
been opened in behalf of the wives and children
of the steamship Grappler. but the amount
subscribed will be barely sufficient for their
immediate wants. This has set many to think
ing. Had st. Thomas belonged to the United
States what would have been done for these
poor widows and orphans. quickly bereft
of their fathers and husbands? For. in view
Of the large amounts Immediately voted and
subscribed in America for the relief of the
sufferers at Martinique it is not unreasonable
to believe. had the transfer of these islands
been accomplished. that the Grappler's fund
would have come in for a share of 1t. One
thing is sure. admiration for Americas gen.
erosity has increased the desire here TO belong
to so charitable nation
This, however, does not seem likely TO be full
filed the latest kilograms from Copenhagen
continue TO show the obstinacy OF the anti
sale party in the Landsthlng. and in America
the effect which the present calamity has had
upon the actual value of these islands 1t
out of her bargain on account OF the hurricane.
tidal wave and earthquake which took place
in October and November of that year. and
now il would seem that some such sort OF feel
ing is likely to manifest itself at Washington
This is what some think here, now that the
people are beginning to recover from the effects
of the news of the volcanic eruption. We are
all hoping. nevertheless, that the United States
Will not desert US in the hour of misfortune.
and will be ready to fulfil her share OF the
compact when the old fogy obstructionists in
the Landsthing come to their senses.
All authorities agree that such CONFUSION OF
nature as that which has occurred at ST. Pierre
is hardly possible in the Danish West Indies
Martinique is of the long line of volcanic
islands which stretches in a curve beginning
with Saba on the north and ending with Grenada
on the south. st. Thomas. st. Croix and ST.
John are part of the long chain which stretches
from the Virgin Islands on the east to Cuba on
the West. The former chain is full OF volcanoes.
some of them extinct apparently, and others
only dormant. The chain in which we are situ-
ated presents contrast in that it contains no
volcanoes There are earthquakes occasionally
but slight on most occasions as hardly 10
cite comment OF such was the slight earth
quake which occurred on the 18th inst. at 4:30
p. m. and which. 1t was reported here, tele-
OF course. in moments like these every little
incident is magnified and the tendency is
aggeration, but far as these islands are con-
cerned there is no reason on this score for the
government OF the United States OF America to
believe that they less valuable to-day than
they were a few weeks ago. Even in the matter
OF this great calamity St Thomas has proved
its value a centre for the prompt distribution
of news. and this though over three hundred
Al
an instance, the steamship Valkyrien arrived
here at p. m. Wednesday, the 14th. Instantly
II was beseged for news by the correspond nts
of the New-York papers. and though that which
it brought merely confirmed 10 a great extent
what had been already transmitted still it was
on the wires a few minutes afterward. 1t may
have gained or lost by being translated from the
Danish into English. and in some instances it
did both, but II went with promptitude that
confirms the statement as to the value of St.
Thomas as a distributing centre. And yesterday
morning brought the Royal Mail steamship So
lent whose officers and passengers supplement-
ed the tale of woe with the addition that as far
as any relief to the inhabitants of St Pierre
was concerned there were very few left TO re-
lieve and that relief was only applicable TO those
who had left the surrounding country .or Fort
de France.
The general opinion was that relief badly
wanted at ST Vincent, where the loss OF life
might have been as great as that of ST. Pierre
had the towns been near TO the great SOuf-
friere OF that island. All accounts agree. while
testifying to the magnitude OF the calamity at
ST. Pierre and TO the rapidity with which that
beautiful and prosperous city, with its people.
harbor and shipping were swept out of exist
ence, that the eruption in st. Vincent was re-
plete with horror and desolatiOn.
On Saturday. the Sd inst. no less than nine
teen shocks of earthquake took place in that
island in less than half hour. and these dis
turbances continued until Monday, in the eoun-
try around Souffriere. and when this began TO
show signs of activity IT then became race |
for life with the bewildered people who lived |
near to II. Large rivers had TO be crossed !
whose waters were boiling hot and every foot I
step was fraught with danger. Darkness spread :
over the land, and explosion after explosion
succeeded each other from the top of the crater. .
Huge flames rose up. illuminating the enormous
columns of smoke which ascended to the sky.
Forked lightning played on and around the |
Souffrere. and the scene. described by an /
eyewitness. was grand in the extreme
Thousands were fleeing for their lives to the |
nearest towns. whose streets were covered with |
a thick layer of ashes from the volcano. Many |
Of them fell by the way. crushed and burned to |
death by the huge redhot stones from the |
crater. charred to a cinder by the redhOt !
lava, boiling mud ashes Hundreds OF hu- |
man beings perished on their way to a place !
Of safety and did all the cattle and live |
stock In the Richmond and WalIibon valleys. |
Where once was smiling tropical landscape. |
Or a fair estate with it's prosperous planters. |
only ruin and desolation remained. The very !
face of nature is changed. and the country In |
certain districts presents the appearance OF .
one broad stretch of limestone. And now hum :
ireds threatened with thirst and starva- /