Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-12
SAW HORRIBLE SIGHTS
Men Who Went to Relief of
st. Pierre.
STREETS FULL OF DEAD
BODIES CREMATED TO PREVENT
PLAGUE VISITATION.
Crater of st. Pelee Still in Eruption
Devastation of the City Com
plete.


FORT DE FRANCE, Island of Martini
ique, Sunday, May 11.-Several steamers,
including the government vessel Rubis,
started from here Saturday for St. Pierre.
They had on board a government delegate,
a number of gendarmes, detachment Of
regular infantry and several priests. The
vessels also carried a quantity of firewood,
petroleum and quicklime, for use in the
cremation of the bodies of the victims Of
the terrible volcanic outbreak of Thursday
last. Large quantities of disinfectants and
stocks Of clothing for the refugees were also
shipped to st. Pierre. The refugees had, as
a rule, assembled at LIE Carbet and Case
Pilote, not far from ST. Pierre, and 1t is
reported, over thousand Of them have
died since the fearful stream of lava poured
down Mount Pelee.
The sea for miles round was covered with
the wreckage of the vessels sunk off St
Pierre al the time Of the disaster, and
ashore only few trees, all bent seaward
by the force of the volcanic shower, were
left standing
When nearing ST. Pierre the Rubis met a
number Of tugs towing lighters filled with
refugees.
Streets Covered With Corpses.
The heat from the smoking, lava-covered
ruins at st. Pierre was suffocating and the
stencil from the corpse-strewn streets was
awful. Only a few walls were standing
The report that the hospital clock was
found intact, with its hands stopped at 1850
o'clock. was confirmed, as was the state
ment that the offices of the cable company
had entirely disappeared
On all sides were found portions Of
corpses, which We're gathered up by the SOL
diers and gendarmes and burned on one Of
the public squares.
Not drop Of water was procurable
ashore. The darkness caused by the clouds
OF volcanic dust shrouded the town and
continuous subterranean rumblings added
to the horror of the scene.
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. In some
instances there was no trace of the streets.
Huge heaps OF smoking ashes were to be
seen on all sides.
Remains Of the Custom House.
At the landing place 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, show
ing that the victims had met death as if by
lightning stroke. Every vestige of cloth
ing was burned away from the charred
bodies, and in many cases the abdomens
had been burst open by the intense heas.
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
stacked everywhere, showing that death
had stricken them while the crowds were
vainly seeking escape from the fiery deluge.
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 what had been the Rue de
L'Hopital were found intact. They con-
tanned 100000 francs in specie 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 valuables
deposited by the principal merchants Of the
city may be saved.
Nearly 1000 of the refugees from the
vicinity of the village of LIE Precheur, a
suburban village to the north of st. Pierre.
were rescued by the French cruiser Suchet
and the cable repair ship Pouyer-Quertier
and were brought here.
Geological Changes Taking Place.
AS result Of his inspection the COM
mander Of the Suchet reports that Gre
vases and valleys are constantly forming
in the northern portion Of the island where
the land Is in state of perpetual change
Fortunately, that part Of the country was
evacuated in good time by the Inhabitants
who fled to Fort-de-France.
Lava continues to stream down the noun
tain side, accompanied by terrific thunder
and lightning.
The dearth of provisions Is beginning to
be felt throughout the island. Numerous
families are completely ruined, and even
shelterless, while the means at the dis
posal of the authorities are much too in
adequate to cope with the distress.
Communication mt of9
all the surrounding islands. except by stray
vessels, which are seized upon by the in
habitants to flee from Martinique.
ROME, May 12-The pope today sum-
moned the French ambassador, NJ. Nisari,
to the Vatican and expressed to him his
keen sorrow on hearing of the st. Pierre
disaster. The pontiff requested that he be
kept informed regarding the details of the
volcanic outbreak.
Kaiser Offers Condolences.
WIESBADEN, Province of Hesse-Nassau,
Germany. May 12.-Emperor William has
telegraphed to President Loubet in French,
as follows:
Profoundly moved by the news Of the
terrible catastrophe which has just over
taken st. Pierre, and which has cost the
lives of nearly as many persons as perfsfed
at Pompeii, I hasten to offer France my
most sincere sympathy. May the Almighty
comfort the hearts Of those who weep for
their trreparable losses. My ambassador
will remit to your excellency the sum Of
10000 marks In my behalf as a contribu-
tion for the relief Of the afflicted"
President Loubet replied:
Am greatly touched by the mark Of
sympathy which, in this terrible misfortune
which has befallen France, your majesty
has deigned to convey to me- I beg you to
accept my warm thanks and also the graft
tude of the victims whom you propose to
succor."
Attitude Of German Butchers.