The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-12


Sunday. MAY n.-Neary 400 OF the ref
ugees from the vicinity Of the village
20 the north OF ST. Pierre. were rescued
by the French cruiser suchet and the
cable repair ship Pouyer Quarter and
were brought here
AS a result OF his inspection the COM
mander Of the Suchet reports that
crevices and valleys are constantly
forming In the northern portion of the
island, where the land Is IN "A state or
perpetual change. Fortunately that part
OF the country was evacuated in good
time by the inhabitants who hed to Fort
de France.
Lava continues 20 stream down the
mountain. accompanied by terrific thun-
der and lightning
The dsarth OF provisions is beginning TO
be felt throughout the island. Numerous
families are completely ruined and even
shelterless, while the means al the dis
posal of the authorities are entirely in
adequate 10 cope with the distress.
Communication lis practically cut on
from all the surrounding islands. eX-
eept by stray vessels, which are selged
upon by the inhabitants 10 fee from Mar
Unique.
ONLY SIX SURVEYORS.
New York, May IA. T.. outerbridge
OF the Quebec Steamship company, whose
steamer Roraima was lost In the bay OF
st. Pierre, Martinique, received the fol-
lowing cablegram from Dominica today:
Chief officer and assistant purser taken
by Korona at Fort De France Engineer
Morris and names cabled Saturday are
left in hospital at Fort de France seri-
ously injured Muggah and Braun and
ell others dead"
Muggah was captain OF the Roraima.
The others were members OF the crew
The message received by Mr.. outer
bridge Saturday was as follows:
Survivors Roraima on Korona: First
Officer Scott and Assistant Purser
Thompson. In hospital Fort de France,
Morley. second officer; Thompson. third
officer: Moores, Evans. second engineer;
Benson, carpenter: Mayer. second stew
ard: Loady. messman; quartermaster;
Mrs. Reid. stewardess. three sailors"
Both messages came from III. NJ. Cor
don q Co., the company's agents In Do
minica.
Mayor Low gave out the following
statement today: THE appalling ca
hmity at Martinique and in the neigh
boring islands makes an appeal To the
generosity of New York. and / am sure
will not be disregarded II Is evident
that help will be needed on large scale
and needed promptly. III there are any
who wish 10 transmit money for this
purpose through the mayor i shall be
glad to receive II and TO transmit II 10
its destination through the chamber OF
commmerce committee. hope that
New York will maintain It's old-time
reputation for liberal giving"
sTUPENDoUs DISTRESS.
London. May 12-The colonial office re-
ceived the following cable dispatch this
afternoon from Administrator Bell OF the
Island of Dominica, British West In
dies:
The Martinique catastrophe appears
TO be even more terrible than as at first
reported. Refugees arriving here this
morning state that new craters are open
In many directions, that rivers are Over.
flowing and that large areas in the
north of the island are submerged.
Other districts are crowded with survi-
vors. Almost total darkness continues
! do not believe Guadeloupe can ade-
auately relieve the stupendous distress"
RAzED TO GROUND.
Fort de France. Island of Martinique
Sunday, May 1.-THE fort and central
quarters OF the town were razed TO the
ground and were replaced by beds OF hot
cinders.
The iron grille work gate OF the govern
ment offices was alone standing. There
was no trace of the streets. Huge heaps
OF smoking ashes were TO be seen on all
sides.
At the landing places some burned and
ruined walls indicated the spot where the
custom house formerly stood and traces
OF the larger shops could be seen.
In that neighborhood hundreds OF
corpses were found lying in all kinds OF
attitudes showi. that the victims had
Get death as II by a lightning stroke.
Every vestige OF clothing was burned
away from the charred bodies and in
many cases the abdomens had been burst
open by the intense heat Curiously
enough. the features OF the dead were
generally calm and reposeful. although in
some cases terrible fright and agony were
depicted. Grim piles Of bodies were stack
ed everywhere, showing that death had
stricken them while the crowds were
vainly seeking escape from tho fiery del
uge.
On one spot a group OF nine children
were found locked In each others arms.
The vaults OF the bank OF Martinique, at
the head OF which had been the Rue de
I'Hospital, were found intact They
contained 2000.0o0 francs 4i00.000) In spe-
Gle and other securities. which was sent
here for safe keeping.
The vaults OF the government treasury
are now being searched In the hope that a
large amount OF money and other val
chants OF the city may be saved
CONSUL AND FAMILY DEAD.
washington, May R.-Sccretary Hay
received the following cablegram from
United states Consul Ayme az Guadel-
oupe. who went 90 Fort de France. Mar
Unique, by instructions from the govern
ment.
The disa Is complete Tho city is
wiped out. Consul Prontis and his family
are dead. Acting governor SAYS 30O00
have perished; 5000 are homeless and
hungry. He suggests that the Red Cross
be asked 20 send Goldfish, -four beans,
rice. salt meats and biscuit as quickly as
possible. Visits OF war vessels valuable /"
The navy department. this morning was
informed OF the departure Of the cruiser
Cincinnati from San Domingo City for
Martinique.
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