The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-22
ONLY TO LEAVE.
That is All That is Asked by
People of Martinique.
Streams of People Pouring Into
Fort de France.
In STATE OF TERROR.
Believe the Gods Are Angry and
VIII Destroy the Island.
Scientists and Magazine Writers
Are on the Ground.

Paris, May 22.-The minister of the
colonies, NJ. Decrais. has cabled to Gov
ernor L'Huerre at Fort de France in
structing him to make all possible ar
rangements for the embarkation of the
inhabitants of Martinique, in the event
of circumstances necessitating the evac-
uation of that island.
Fort de France. Island of Martinique,
May 22.-Mont Pelee seems to be rest
ing after yesterdays fearful manifesto
J tion of energy. Streams of frightened
refugees have been pouring into Fort
/ de France from all the surrounding
/ country. These people are not destitute
/ but they are terrified. They want only
one thing. and that is to be taken far
away from this island with which they
say, the gods are angry and which they
viii destroy by fire before it sinks un-
! der the sea
! The consuls here and the officers of
/ the war vessels in the harbOr are way
! laid b.. persons crazed with fear and
begging to be carried away.
The weather is now calm and beauti-
full. but the mountain is yelled in vol
canic clouds. which often assume a
very threatening aspect. and occasional
rumblngs are heard. Some heavy and
The U. S steamer Dixie, Capt. Berry,
from New York, arrived today, after
| quick and safe passage. Her passengers
| include many world-famous scientists.
| Prof. Robert T. Hill, government geolo-
| giSt; Prof. c. Z. BOrchgreVink, the ant
| arctic explorer; Messrs George Curtis
| and George Kennan, and many maga-
zine writer's and correspondents are
also among those who arrived on the
! steamer.
The Dixie began landing her enor-
| nous cargo of supplies early and the
storehouse on shore soon became con-
gested and this is the greatest difficulty
of the administration.
The .. s. S. Potomac went to inspect
St Pierre, with the commanders of the
war vessels now here. With the great
est difficulty the party succeeded IN
making a landing. The effects Of the
outburst Of yesterday were tremendous.
| The huge towers of the cathedral were
hurled to the ground
The deposit of bou1ders ashes and
angular stones is enormous. Not hu-
n an being saw what happened at St
Pierre yesterday morning. Fort de
France is overwhelmed.
This second eruption was many times
more violent than that which effaced st.
Pierre and swept its people from the
earth Nor has all volcanic activity
ceased. Vast columns of smoke and
gas still pour from the great crater,
and new assures have opened on the
mountain sides and are vomiting yellow
Whirlwinds which rush intermittently
now from one point and now from an
other Boiling mud also is thrown out
at times in torrents that reach the sea
and produce small tidal waves.
From sombre, silent city of death
and desolation, st. Pierre has become
hideous amphitheater of fiery roaring
destruction.
The people are convinced that God
is angry with the island and means to
scOurge it with fire and then sink it in
the ocean. Utter and unreasOning fear
possesses all souls. Fort de France is
believed to be unsafe. The presence of
the relief ships, however, is helpful to
the people who say, THE American flag
makes safety.
The Potomac could not approach close
to St Pierre. The Dixie will sail tomor-
row for St. Vincent but the other vessels
will remain.
The scientists who have arrived will ex-
anime into the question of the danger OF
the peaks of Carbet. near Fort de France.
becoming active volcanoes. The outburst
land. as ali confidence is lost.
I'VE want not food. but only to leave,
is the cry of rich and poor.
$4,000 LIVES LOST
Washington. May 22.-Captain Gala
CHER, who went to Martinique the
Dixie, cabled to the war department from
Effects Of eruption confined to north
ern portion OF island. ST. Pierre and
Thirty thousand is a fair estimate of the
loss Of life of zone Of destruction; physi-
7 Cd4 CO4AAAtAOLs AOA 1N~ HCo1yAC P11A4AS
stricken. This condition was increased
by yesterdays eruption, which was quite
| lation. Supplies of all kinds sufficient for
eight weeks. What has been done was
just what emergency demanded, and Moth
ing further can be suggested. Govern
ment and people most grateful. Dixie
now discharging part of cargo. VIII pro-
ceed with what remains to ST. Vincent"
LEAVING BY THOUSANDS.
Pointe-A-Pitre, Island of Guadeloupe,
Nav 21.-The steamer Horton with 200
{ refugees from Fort de France. Martinique,
and the French steamer Salvador. having
= able to remain at Fort de France, ar
rived here today. The refugees report
Fort de France.
The refugees who have reached here BY
these ships are in a pitiable condition.
i They all report that on the morning OF
= May % Mont Pelee vomited a thick cloud
; of black smoke and threw hot mud over
G the greater part OF the island, while Z
= heavy pail of smoke overhung Fort dc
: The eruption was followed by flashes Of
= | lncandescent light, and the stricken peo-
pie fled to the shore. It was reported al
I Fort de France that some people have
Il been killed at Carbel. on the west coast
while BaSse Point, on the northeast coast
The refugees report further thai all ths
vessels at Fort de France are taking peo.
. pie away from the island
: OUTBURST ON DIAMOND ROCK.
; New York. May 23.-Captain Hanser
4 Of the Norwegian steamer Talisman
which has arrived here from Barbados
brings a story of a volcanic outburst OF
Diamond Rock, an uninhabited island
= two miles off the southwest coast o
: Martinique. On the morning of May 19
/; as his vessel was passing the rock, Cap
S tain Hansen says a flare of fire wa
seen several times. Standing in close
to investigate. he found the island OF
fire and smoke coming out of the peal
= of the rock, which is 500 feet high. Thl
= Talisnan which sailed from Demarars
/; May for Barbados encountered
downfall Of dust at o'clock that night