The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-04-14
VESUVIUS APPARENTLY
 PREPARES FOR SLUMBER
EVIDENCE OF IMPROVED CON- OPTION OF AFFAIRS IN VOL
 CANIC DISTRICT.

Director Matteucci Predicts That in
 Two or Three Days Calm Will Reign
 Activity of the Volcano and Agi-
 tation at the Surface SensibIy Di-
 minish--Electric Discharges Cease
 Good Friday Services Take Form of
 Fcrvent Thanksgiving - Elimination
 of She Dead.
 Naples, April 1S.-No better evidence of the improved condition of affairs in the section affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuyius can be presented than the following telegram from Director Matteucci, sent tnls evening from the observatory OH the mount
 Last night and to-day the activity of VesuVius and the agitation at the sur- face of the volcano senstbly diminished. Electric discharges ceased to-day, and the discharge was less abundant. From the presumed formation of the crater and other indications, and if the news coming to me is true of the cessation of lava at Boscotrecase, I predict with reserve that in two or three days vol- canic calm will reign"
 The publication of this assuring dis patch his brought joy to the people, and to-nights Good Friday services at the churches, which were attended by large congregations, took the form of fervent thanksgiving for danger past. Conditions at Naples were so much bet ter to-day that the people were almost incredulous of the tales of terror told by those who had escaped from the towns, villages and country farther within the zone of devastation. The weather was fine, and the wind had shifted so that the clouds of ashes the volcano instead of enveloping Naples were carried in the direction of Caserta.
 The apprehensions of the populace gave place to a smiling confidence in which there was no reflection of the terror which had prevailed for the past week. But in other quarters there is no escaping from the awful evidences of the volcano's fury. At Boscatrecase the exhumation of the dead is being carried on by soldiers. who, owing to the advanced state of decomposition of the corpses, are unable to work more than an hour at time. The work is one of great cost of money as well as of danger and righteousness to those en- gagged in it. Many of the bodies are nearly shapeless, tinrecognizable mass es of flesh and bones while others are but little disfgured. As quickly as pos sible they are buried in quieklime to lessen as far as may be the danger of epidemic. None but those engaged in the work of recovering the corpses are permitted in the vicinity.
 After the last great eruption which occurred in 1872 the land covered by clnders did not produce crops for seven years and the losses in this respect alone averaged $2oOOO,OOO yearly It is believed that it will take ten years to bring the land under cultivation again
 The people as a demonstration of their gratitude for the sympathy which jed to the French squadron being sent here enthusiastically greeted the French sailors when they landed
 The Duke of Abruzzi arrived to-day in his motor car He had passed through the ash belt and was hardly recognizable, being covered with ashes and cinders. He will soon sail on his projected tour of exploration in South Africa.