Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-13
VESUV|US IS QU|ETER
Fall of Ashes From the Volcano
Has Almost Ceased.
CLEARING UP IN NAPLES
Nearly 5000 Refugees Already
Housed in That City.
PROF. MATTUCCI'S INTERVIEW
Feverish Activity of the Populace To-
day In Striking Contrast to the
Usual Incidence.
PROF. MATTUcCIs INTERVIEW

NAPLES. April 13, 1855 a-m.-AH the
news received here this morning is encour-.
aging. For the first time since Tuesday the
sun is shining all over Naples, and although
| above the city the usual gray cloud is dis
oernible. the fall Of ashes has almost
| tirely ceased. Ashes however, continued to
| fall throughout the night, adding several
| inches to the accumulation in the streets.
| Nearly six thousand people are employed In
| clearing the roofs and main thoroughfares.
| Gangs of men are engaged in piling the
| ashes in the narrow streets which makes
| the passage of vehicles exceedingly difficult
| and adds to the discomforts OF pedestrians.
| The Neapolitans have become to a certain
| degree sun-worshipers. One day they are
plunged in the depths of despair because
the sun is obscured by falling ashes and the
| next day their spirits are buoyant, for the
| sun shines and no ashes are sprinkling over
| Naples.
Today the inhabitants of Naples are prao-
| tIcaly happy, for not only Is the sun shin
| ing brightly but The air is clear OF ashes
| and invigorating with the result that au-
| tomobile coats and goggles. the ash-storm
| costume, have been replaced by the usual
| -colored apparel, people are driving
| about in open carriages. and so much color
has returned to the surroundings that the
| grayness Of the buildings palms and other
| ash-covered trees makes a pleasant con-
| trast with the sapphire-tinted sea.
| Several men. apparently, have braved the
| terrors of the Wild wastes of lava about
| the royal observatory. One Of them re-
| turned here this morning and gave an
| account of a most interesting converse
| ton which he had with Prof. Mattucci d.
| rector of the observatory, who was in
| very hopeful mood when his visitor left
| him. The professor said:
| Prof. Mattuccis Views.
Very. little is known of the volcanic
| forces, so one can never safely predict
| what is going to happen. But / think L
can, with some confidence, express the
| hope. based my experience here, that
the explosive period of the eruption has
| passed 1t Is impossible to make a posi-
| tive statement to this effect, but the proba-
| bilities point to quieting down of the
| volcano. This, however. does not mean
| that its activity will entirely cease. Until
| the era ter definitely assumes Its new shape,
| that Is to say when the ridges have been
| smoothed down, there is a possibility OF
| further disturbances. For the present, the
| light wind blowing will, in all probability,
| carry the ashes in direction which will
| leave Naples free from further annoyance
of this nature, and as 1t Is the Ill wind Is
| blowing good to other places, for ashes are
| the best fertilizer it Is possible to use. 1t
| is merely a question just now Of having
| too much of good thing.
Prof Mattucci today climbed up Vesuvius
| to a point long way above the observa-
| tory, at the imminent risk of his life, and
ascertained that unless the conditions
change radically there will be no further
| discharge of lava at present. He added
that it was impossible to determine the
quantity Of sand in the crater, but as the
cone had diminished considerably In height
and the showers OF cinders thrown out had
| been transformed into ashes, he believed
| the end of the disturbance near.
| Prof Mattucci is not the only person who
| regards the situation as having improved.
| King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Helena
| expect to return to Rome today, and Pre-
| mier Sonnina and Finance Minister Sallan-
| dra, who have been supervising the relief
| measures, left Naples for the capital this
morning.
| Nearly 5000 Refugees.
| Nearly 5000 refugees are already housed
| here, and the number is rapidly increasing.
| In fact. all the buildings available for the
| accommodation of the fugitives are crowd
ed, and If many more people seek shelter
| here 1t will be necessary to place them In
| army tents. The municipal and military
! authorities have already taken steps to ac-
| commodate large number of people In this
manner
| resulted in the almost complete stoppage of
! the supply of food usually forwarded to the
| Vesuvian districts, and consequently the
| prices of food have risen enormously, and
| the lack of meat and bread especially Is Sc
| riously felt in those districts.
| The reputation of Neapolltans for lazi-
| ness Is IN striking contrast Win the IeFeT-
| sh activity displayed everywhere here to-
| day. The hours, even the minutes, seem too
| short for what must be done. The people
| rush here and there, horses gallop about,
| and even the dogs and cats seem to be in
| fected with the general spirit Of hustle.
| A curious phenomena has been noticed
| at Cape Posilipo. picturesque spot in the
| northeast part of the Bay OF Naples Ow-
| ing to the great quantity of ashes and cin-
| ders which have fallen into the bay the
| intogsen, large shell fish, which is COM
| mon there, have come to the surface, while
| all the other fish have disappeared
| Queen Helena. before leaving for Rome
| today revisited the quarters occupied by
| the refugees, and made large donations to
| the sufferers. Among her gifts
| quantity of linen of all sorts, for which she
paid $4,000.
Offer of Aid From Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA. April 13-William Pot
| ter of this city, former minister to Italy,
today forwarded to the Italian ambassador
| at Washington a telegram asking II the
| Mount Vesuvius sufferers were in need of
| financial assistance. The following reply
| was received;
william Potter Sincere thanks for kind
offer. Not yet heard from Italy. II shall
| receive adyices will wire you. (Signed),
| MONTAGNA, charge d'affaires'
| 1t Is the intention Of Mr.. Potter to re-
quest Mayor Weaver to call meeting of
the citizens permanent relief committee as
soon as word Is received that assistance Is
needed by ths Mount Vesuvus victims.
| Opposinp the Liability Bill