Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-03-11
CABINET CRISIS FORGOTTEN
FALLIERES SENDS AID TO SCENE
Mine Is Transformed Into a Vast
Seethng Furnace--5O0 Rescued,
Terrible Scenes Through
out the Coal Fields,

Paris. Mar. f0.--A mine catastro-
phe of incalculabIe horror and magni-
tude has stricken the great coal cen-
ter of northern France. An explosion
of fire damp at O'Clock this morning
carried death and destruction through
out the network of coal mines CEN
tered nj Courrieres, and fire followed
the explosion, making rescue difficult
and almost impossible.
The intense excitement and cOnfu-
sion In the vicinity prevented an carly
estimate of the exact loss of life. but
u dispatch received here at 1876 y. m
gave t,4O1 miners entombed and prob
ably lost, At S:i5 o'clock this even
ing a brief dispatch from Lille an
nOunced the total of 1.103 dead.
All France has been profoundly
shocked by the magnitude of the dis
aster, which Is said to be the greatest
i'm the history Of.continental mining
President Fallicres sent his secre-
tary, accompanied by Minister of Pub
lie Works Gauticr and Minister of the
Interior Dubicf, on special train 10
the scene of the disaster.
The ministerial crisis was temporar-
lily forgotten, senator's and deputies
joining in the universal public mani
fcstatiOns of sorrow.
The scene of the catastrophe is the
mountainous mining region near
Lens, In the department of Pas-de-
Calais Here are huddled small ham
let's of the mine workers, who operate
the most productive coal mines in
France. The subterranean chambers
form q series of tunnels.
Six of the outlets are near Lens AMI
the others at COurrieres, Vcrdun and
many other points. The output of
these mines Is particularly combusll-
bic and Is largely used I'm the manu-
facturc OF gas and In smelling. About
1000 miners work in the group OF
mines, and, with their families. make
population of from 5000 to 5000
souls.
The catastrophe took place shortly
after 1,705 men had descended into
the mine this morning. There was a
deafening explosion, which was fol-
lowed by the cages and mining appar-
atus being hurled from the mouth Of
the Courrieres mine. Men and horses
near by outside the mine were either
stunned or killed. Tho roof of the
mine Office was torn on.
Immediately following the explO-
sion flames burst from the mouth OF
the pit, driving back those without
who sought to enter and booming
those within.
The work of attempting to rescue
the imprisoned miners was hastily
begun by officials, engineers and mi
ncrs from the surrounding mines, who
formed parties and made heroic efforts
to penetrate the smoke and foul gases
aud bring out the imprisoned men.
The families of the entombed NIL
ners crowded about the shaft seeking
fathers or husbands and threatening
In their efforts to obtain details to
force back the gendarmes who kept
them from the mouth of the pit.
The populace of the district ls APP
pallcd by the disaster. which affects
every household.
Those persons who were rescued
were terribly burned
The latest estimates place those tn.
ken on, g. 5aI.
Throughout the afternoon the hero.
q efforts ~ rescue were continued
but nightfalI brought the conviction