The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-10
Dead and Injured Placed
 at Hundreds. THE OUTLOOK NOW IS BETTER Lava Streams Have Diminished in
 Volume. San Giuseppe, a Town of 5000 Inhnbi- tants, is Practically Destroyed. Churches and Houses Fall
 Under the Weight of
THE OUTLOOK NOW IS BETTER

Naples, April 9.-This has been day of terror for the cities, towns and country about Mount Vesuvius. Un- confirmed reports place the number of dead and injured at several hundred. but not many facts can be obtained upon which to base an accurate esti- mate.
 At midnight the situation appears more assuring, the lava streams hav- ing diminished in volume and in some directions having stopped altogether. while a copious rainfall is cooling the lava where it lies stationary.
 Almost equally with the devastation wrought by the lava is the damage done by cinders and ashes. which is incredible. Quantities have been car ried great distances. This has caused the practical destruction of San Giuseppe, a place of six thousand in- habitants. All but two hundred of the people had fled from San Giuseppe and these two hundred assembled in a church to attend mass. While the priest was performing his sacred of- flee the roof fell in and about sixty persons were badly injured. These un- fortunates were for hours without sur gical or medical assistance The only thing left standing in the church was a statue of St. Anne, the preservation of which the poor, homeless people ac- cepted as miracle and promise or ieliverance from their peril.
 At Ottajano five churches and ten houses fell under the weight of ashes and cinders which lie four feet deep on the ground. In the fall of the buildings about twelve persons were killed and many were wounded. The village is completely deserted by its people After the evacuation of the place the barracks and prisons Tell Tn.
 Terrible Devastation.
 Reports from coast and inland towns denict terrible devastation. San Gior- eic. Cremona Portici, Resina and Torre del Greco have been almost completely abandoned. -
 The inhabitants of Tore Annunziata are prepared to leave at moment warning.
 somma Vesuvia. another village. has suffered most severely. The most or the buildings in the villages are or flimsy construction and flat roots anu are but poorly calculated to bear the weight of ashes and cinders that nave fallen upon them. Inevitably 1t Will pc found that considerable number or nersons have perished by the falling or their homes. Although the eruption or the volcano is less violent than 1t was twenty-four hours ago, the ashes are still falling in great quantities.
 The Associated Press correspondent this evening made the rounds or the ,nenaced villages. The railway ana tram tracks were inches deep below yolcanic ashes and the same material wade the roads impracticable for hors- es so that an automobile was the only means left by which the inspection or the devasted country could be maoe: The scene was one of such misery ana tarror that it can never be obliterated iron, memory As the way was traVer- sed the travelling became more ana rnore dificult the smoke and ashes in the air making breathing dlmcuit' Slight tremblings of the earth were felt and frequent flashes of lightning cut through the smose se .Trhtfem came at intervals long before nlght1aH' On the streets of the deserted towns the only sound to be heard was the thunder of Jumps of ashes falling on the roofs and the puffing of the auto mobile In the towns where the peo- pie yet remain the houses are all CLOS ed. the inhabitants roaming dlsconso- lately about the streets and gaining what comfort is possible from the carbineers and soldiers. These are the heroes of the day. They seem never to sleep or be tired. and where thre Is any danger they are cool strong and alert.
 Tn the course of the tour, point was reached from which Vesuvius could be seen under its cloud of smoke. The high cone of the volcano has gone al most entirely, having been swallowed up so that the height of the mountain is nearly 500 feet less than formerly. on the North side of the mountain new craters have been formed.
 Refugees from the threatened or de- atroyed villages are pouring into Ma ples by the thousands, arriving in every description of conveyance and on foot. The roads are crowded with pro- sessions of men and women carrying crosses and crying piteously
 Special railway trains, warships and steamers are employed in conveying the homeless people to Naples, Rome and Castleamare, while large numbers of people are fleetng overland in the direction of Caserta. Not less than 15O.000 refugees have reached Castle amare, where the steamer Princess Ma &nlda is anchored.
 Could Not Reach Port.
 This vessel left the Island of Capri with 1000 passengers, including many foreigners on board. but she was un- able to reach her destination on ac- count of the stiflng clouds of ashes and the fumes of gases from the volca- no. which enveloped her a mile from the coast.
 King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Helena have further endeared them selves to the people by their activity in behalf of the sufferers, and the gov ernment is exerting itself by the relief of the destitute. This work. however, is obstructed by the congestion of all means of transportation which are monopolized in the carrying of people out of the zone of danger.
 The king and queen and their suites arrived at Naples this morning from Rome. When the royal train reached the station the eruption of the volcano was at its worst, but both insisted up- on leaving immediately for Torre An nunziata, the king declaring. If Tore Annunziata Is in danger. 1t Is my duty to be there"
 Travelling in automobiles and accom- panied by the Duke and Duchess of Aosta and the Princess of Schleswig- Holstein, they set out for the afflicted districts.
 Touching scenes greeted them along the way. By the kings order there vas no attempt to keep the people