The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-23
Showers Of Stones and Ashes
Driving Them Away
DESCRIPTION OF THE CRATER
A Member of Martinique Legislature
Explores the Mountain and Says
Heat Around Crater Is Intense.
Island May Be Evacuated.

Fort de France, May 22.-The correspond
ent of the Associated Press has had an
interview with NJ. Clerc, a m ember of the
legislature of Martinique who recently
explored the vicinity of Mont Pelee. he
said
II started Friday last for Mont Pelee by
the road leading along the coast from
Basse Pointe and, accompanied by M.
Teloame Chancele, chief engineer OF the
sugar works, I reached a --eight OF 1235
meters without difficulty and was able
to ascertain that the present crater Is
about 300 meters in diameter. On the east
it Is overlooked by the Morne la Croix
the eliminating point of the island, hav-
ing an altitude of 1850 meters, which Is
completely crumbled and mined at Its
base, as a result of the volcanic action,
and might easily collapse. The Mornt
Petit bon Homme has an incandescent
aspect.
In order to make known our presence
at the point where we stood. waved
a piece Oh white cloth, attached to
stick in the air. which was replied to by
a corresponding signal from an lnhao-
itan of Morne Rouge, who signahed to
me In this manner in order to show that
he saw u.s.
Shoes Damaged by Heat.
I'VE felt a number of electric commo-
tions and our shoes were damaged by the
heat.
THE pond which was situated near
Morne la Croix is completely dried up.
1.-The iron cross which stood at the foot
of the mountain has been melted.
THE rims of the crater have very
much changed in appearance. The heat
where we stood was intense, and the
whole aspect of the mountain was terri
fying Stones fell around us and we
picked up large pieces of sulphur which.
however, we were unable to retain. The
whole spot was charged with electricity,
which became so violent that we were
obliged to retreat.
Our escent from the mountain was
more difficult than our ascent. A binding
rain of ashes fell upon US and the en-
gineer was nearly killed by large stone
which fell near him. We succeeded in
reaching Basse Pointe on our return.
after having been four hours on the
me untain under the most dangerous cir
cumstances."
The recent rain of ashes and volcanic
rocks, Weighing as much 70 grammes,
which have fallen here, caused so much
CONSERVATION among the Inhabitants or
Fort de France that those who have not
left the city are anxious to do so, and
large numbers are emigrating to the
Island of Guadeloupe. where 1t is now
estimated here 300 people from Martini
que have already sought shelter.
Cultivated Lands Destroyed.
During her last exploring trip about the
island the Frech cruiser Suchet, which did
not stop at st. Pierre, noticed that all the
formerly cultivated land between Grande
Rivere and Marigot, had been completely
destroyed. The inhabitants of those two
towns have suffered and are still suffering
a great deal, but they have not yet deter
mined to abandon those localities and eff
forts are being made to supply them
with provisions.
The Suchet also reports that as she
approached the point of the island where
the land was in better state of preseva-
tion, especially between Macouba and
Lorraine a shower of stones and sui
phur caused many Of the population Of
Morne Rogue who remained there, to
hastily evacuate that place
For a time some apprehension was felt
regarding the safety of the detachment of
French troops quartered at La Carbet,
but there has been no loss Of life among
them, according to the most recent re-
ports.
The French gunboat Joffroy took on
board about $50 of the inhabitants of the
neighborhood of LIE Carbet. 1t Is esti-
mated that about 5000 persons will. by
night time today have left Fort de
France for the extreme southern part of
the island
May Evacuate Island.
Paris. May 22.-The government is con-
siderihg the possibility of the necessity
arising for the evacuation of Fort de
France and even of the whole island.
According to the latest advices received
here quiet is restored at Fort de France
and there has been no general exodus of
the population though one thousand per-
sons have gone to the island of Gaude-
loupe and the island of st. Lucia and
5000 more have removed to the towns and
| villages in the extreme Southern parts
| of the island Those who remain at Fort
| de France are calmer.