New-York tribune., 1902-05-23
France, and they are now supported by public
funds or private subscriptions.
CHANGES IN PELEE'S CRATER.
DANGEROUS ASCENT MADE BY MEMBER
OF COLONIAL LEGISLATURE.

Fort de France. Martinique. May pm.
Clerc. member of the colonial legislature,
who recently explored the vicinity of Mont
Pelee, said:
I started on Friday last for Mont Pelee by
the road leading along the coast from Basse
Pointe, and, accompanied by Tellame Chancele,
chief engineer of the sugar works, l reached
height Of 1885 metres without difficulty, and
was able 10 ascertain that the present crater is
about three hundred metres in diameter. On
the east it is overlooked by the Morne La Croix.
the hlghest point OF the island, having an alti
tude of 1.3JO metres which is completely Crum-
bled and mined at its base as a result of the
volcanic action, and might easily collapse. The
Morne Petit Bon HOmme has incandescent
aspect.
In order to make known our presence at the
point where stood. 1 waved a piece of white
cloth. attached TO a stick. in the air which
replied TO by a corresponding signal from
inhabtant of Morne Rouge, who sgnalled to me
IN TINS manner in order to show that he saw us.
We felt number of electric connections, and
our shoes were damaged by the heat.
The pond which situated near MOrne La
CrolX is completely dried up.
The iron cross which stood at the foot of the
mountain has been melted Only the base of
the masonry on which the cross stood and the
lower part Of the foot of the cross can be seen.
The rims Of the crater have greatly changed
In appearance. The heat where stood was in
tense and the whole aspect of the mountain
was terrifying. Stones fell around us and we
picked up large pieces Of sulphur. The whole
spot charged with electricity which becam
so violent that we were obliged to retreat.
Our descent from the mountain was more diff
1cult than our ascent. A binding rain Of ashes
fell upon us. and the engineer was nearly killed
by large stone which fell near him.
We succeeded in reaching Basse Pointe on our
return after having been four hours the
mountain under the most dangerous ctrcum-
stances.
The recent rain of ashes and volcanic rocks
weighing much as seventy-five grammes
which has fallen here caused so much con-
SrernatiOn he iDba of Fort do
France that those who have not left the city are
anxious to do so, and large numbers are emf
grating to the island of Guadeloupe where, it is
now estimated here, twelve hundred people from
Martinique have already sought shelter.
On her last exploring trip about the island
the French cruiser Suchet which did not stop
at St. Pierre, noticed that all the formerly
cultivated land between Grande Riviere and
Marigot has been completely destroyed. The
inhabitants OF those two towns have suffered
and still suffering a great DEAL but they
have not yet determined TO abandon those To-
calities, and efforts are being made to supply
them with provisions.
The Suchet also reports that as she ap-
preached that part Of the island where the land
was in better state of preservation. especially
between Macouba and Lorraine a shower Of
stones and sulphur caused those of the popula-
tion of Morne Rouge who had remained there
hastily to evacuate that place.
For a time some apprehension was felt
gardng the safety of the detachment OF French
troops quartered at LIE Carbet, but there has
been no loss of life among them according to
the latest reports.
The French gunboat Joffroy took on board
about one hundred and fifty Of the habitants
Of the neighborhood of lie Carbet
1t is estimated that about three thousand per-
will by tonight have left Fort de France
for the extreme southern part of the island.