The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-13
ROBBERS SACK TOWNS
Human Vultures In Wake Of Volcanoes
Destruction.

DesTucC1on.
Naples, April I8.-Robbers infest
the cities that were destroyed or aban-
doned during the eruption Of Mount
Vesuvius, and are carrying on their me-
farious work despite the efforts of the
authorities to drive them out.
At Boscotrecase, thieves entered
some Of the houses Of the better class
Of inhabitants in the outskirts Of the
town and stripped them Of everything
valuable.
Birds Quit Ruined Region.
It is noticed that the birds have
completely deserted the Vesuvius dis
trict. Thousands Of them died from
suffocation. All the news received here
this morning is encouraging: For the
first time since Tuesday the sun is
shining all over Naples, and altho above
the city the usual gray. cloud is discern
ible, the fall Of ashes has almost en-
tire1y ceased.
Ash Deep In Streets.
Ashes, however, continued to fall
thruout the night, adding several inches
to the accumulation in the streets.
Nearly six thousand people are em-
ployed in clearing the roofs and main
thorofares. Gangs Of men are en-
gagged in piling the ashes in the middle
Of the narrow streets, which makes the
passage of vehicles exceedingly diff
cult and adds to, the discomfort OF pc.
ldestrians.
Matteucci at Post.
From the observatory Of Mount We.
suvius, where Director Matteucoi is con.
tinuing his work, the scene is one OF
great impressiveness. To reach the
Observatory one must walk for miles
over hardened, but hot lava, covered
with sand, until he comes to point
whence nothing can be seen but vast,
gray reaches, sometimes fat and some
times gathered into huge mounds.
Above, the heavens are gray like the
earth beneath, and seem just as hard
and immovable. In all this lonely waste
there is no sign Of life or vegetation,
and no sound is heard except the low
mutterings Of the volcano.
$50 Dead in ottajano.
Every day gives new evidence of the
magnitude of the catastrophe. The
visit Of King Victor Emmanuel to Otta-
jano revealed new tragedies. In the
presence Of tho king 100 more bodies
were extricated from the ruins. The
dead at Ottajano are said to number
$50.
Scores Priest for Fleeing.
The king was deathly pale. TO o
priest who came to him he said:
How did you escape2o
ri placed myself in safety" replied
"What do you meanfo asked the
Realizing the DANGER was the
priest IS reply, / had left for Nola. -
The king flushed with anger.
"What!" he cried, "you, minister OF
God, were not here to share the danger
Of your people and administer the last
sacraments!
Explosive Period Over.
Several men, apparently, have braved
the terror of the wild wastes of lava
/ about the royal observatory on Mount
/ Vesuvius. One Of them returned here
| this morning and gave an account Of
a most interesting conversation which
| he had with Professor Mattucci, di
rector Of the observatory, who was il
q very hopeful mood when his visitor
! left him. The professor said:
i Every little is known of the volcanic
/ force, SO one can never safely predict
4 what is going to happen. But L thinl
I can with some confidence express thu
hope, based on my experience here, thai
/ the explosive period of the eruption
] has passed. It is impossible to make /
positive statement to this effect, bu
4 the probabilities point to quietin(
down of the volcano. This, however
does not mean that its activity vii
entirely cease.
i Dangers Still Lurk.
ssUnless the crater definitely assume
It's new shape, that is to say, when thu
ridges have been smoothed down, ther,
is possibility of further disturbances
4 For the present the light win,
blowing will, in all probability, carr.
Il the ashes in direction which vii
| Continued on I'd Page, Sd Column.