The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-14
CLEANING ROOFS OF NAPLES.
TROOPS ENGAGED IN REMOVING
MASS or VOLCANIC Dust.
Heavy Fall Of Rain Would Increase Its
Weight and Probably Cause the Collapse
OF More Houses Clear sky Now over
Naples and Eruption Is Practically over
.special cnbIc Despatch to THE suN:

Naples and Eruption Is Practicaiiy over
Special cable DeSpotch 10 THE SuN.
NAPLES, April l3.-It is feared that should
there be a heavy fall of rain, such as gener-
ally follows volcanic eruptions, many build
ings here and in the in the Vesuvian
district will collapse from the weight OF
the ashes upon them when Soaked with
water, while the formation of mud on the
roads will cut off communication. Hence
the efforts Of the military are now directed
to the removal of the masses of cinders,
which are being heaped up for probable
later use as fertilizing material. The sailors
from the French naval squadron are aiding
in the work.
1t is calculated that $40, 900, 900 will be
required to rebuild tn 9 destroyed towns
and support the victims till they are in a
pos ton to support Themselves.
Though ashes are still falling the eruption
has practically ceased. At noon to-day the
sun, which at the same hour yesterday
was obscured by the dust fog, was shining
brightly. Small quantities OF ashes are
falling in the Vesuvius district.
A curious phenomenon was witnessed
at Posilipo, which is famed for its she'll
fish. These nave come to the surface in
large numbers, but the fishermen are IN a
state of CONSERVATION at the absence OF all
other fish, which seem to have been driven
t. Lnnper waters.
One h ;ndred and thirty-two bodies have
been recoN rred from the ruins of the church
a. Ottajaro. 1t is estimated that the total
loss of li'p there was 500.
The cnnduct of the King and the Duke of
Aosta, he action taken by the Government
AMI the heroism of Prof. Mattucci are
favorably commented upon on all sides.
with the cessation Of the activity of
Mount vesuvius the light hearted Neapoli-
tans quickly abandoned their depression,
and, the cause Of their terror removed,
they have resumed their laughter and
gayety. The religious professions have
almost ceased and the images Of saints
nave been left in their inches as being no
longer needed. A few images Of the
Madonna are still carried about the poorest
quarters in token Of thanksgiving, but
on the whole, and excepting the refugees,
the populace is itself again.
The shops rave reopcned and the Marion
cite Theatre announces spectacular farces
based on ludicrous features of the eruption,
The hotel keepers, guides and caterers
generally are in high feather, expecting blg
receipts from tourists.
Ascents of the mountain have already
begun. Strenuous work is being done to
clear and repair the railway. which antici-
pates the reaping Of its biggest harvest. A
record number of tourists have already
arrived and many more are known to be
on the way here.
Meanwhile, years of poverty and struggle
face the dwellers in the ruined districts
The agricultural losses alone are esti-
mated at several million lire.
The King and Queen are still visiting the
injured and melting the authorities to ac-
tivity. The Government il busy distributing
relief.
Many of the reports circulated during the
last few days were much exaggerated.
An instance of ibis is the case of Ierzigno,
which did not suffer in the least, despite
the earlier reports; but in view of the M
mense destruction elsewhere, especially in
the Ottajano and San Giuseppe districts.
the disaster, on the whole, remains one of
the worst in the history of NesuNlus.