Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-10
Devastation is Widespread.


Reports from coast and inland towns de-
pict terrible devastation. San Giorgio, Gre
mona, Portico, Resna and Tore del Gre
CO have been almost completely abandoned.
The inhabitants of Tore Annunz alta are
prepared to leave at a moments warning.
Vesuvian is another village which has suf-
fered most severely.
The most of the buildings in the villages
are of f1imsy construction and have nat
roofs, and are but poorly calculated 10
bear the weight of ashes and cinderS tnat
have fallen upon them. Inevitably it Will
be found that a considerable number of
persons have persisted by the falling of
their homes.
Although the eruption of the volcano is
less violent that 1t was twenty-four hours
ago, the ashes are still falling in great
quantities.
Misery and Terror.
The Associated Press correspondent last
night made the round OF the menaced VII
lagess The railway and tram tracks were
inches deep below volcanic ashes, and the
same material made the roads impractical
BILE for horses, so that an automobile was
the only means left by which the inspection
of the devasta ted country could be made.
The scene was one of such misery and
terror that it can nexer be obliterated from
memory. AS the way was traversed the
breathing difficult Slight trembl ngs Of THE
the smoke and ashes sin~~the- ajr~ making
travelling difficult Slight tremblings Of the
earth were fe.t and frequent flashes OF
lightning cut through the smoke Darkness
came at Intervals long before nightfail.
In the streets of the deserted towns the
only sound to be heard was the thud OF
Jumps of ashes falling on the roofs and the
putting of the automobile.
In the towns where people yet remained
the houses are all closed, the inhabitants
roaming disconsolately about the streets
uv,d thin hat fort ie
the carbineers and soldiers. These are the
heroes of the day. They never seem to
sleep or be tired and where these Is danger
they are cool, strong and alert.
Volcano Peak Blown OFF.
In the course of the tour point was
reached from which Vesuvius could be seen
under its cloud of smoke. The hight cone
of the volcano has gone almost entirely.
having been swallowed up, SO that the
height of the mountain is nearly 600 feet
less than formerly. On the north SIDE Of
the mountain new craters have been
formed.
villages are pouring into Naples by the
thousands, arriving in every description OF
conveyance and on foot. The roads are
crowded with professions of men and wo-
men carrying crosses and crying piteously
Special railway trans, warships and steam
ers are employed in conveying the home
less people to Naples, Rome and Castellam-
mare While large numbers OF people are
fleeing overland In the direction Of Caserta
Steamer Forced to Turn Back.
Not less than IS. 600 refugees have reach
ed Castellanmare, where the steamer Prin-
cess Nafalda is anchored This vessel left
the Island of Capri with LOCO passengers,
including many foreigners, on board. but
she was unable to reach her dest nation
owing to the sitting clouds of ashes and
the fumes of gases from the volcano
which enveoped her a mile from the coast
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Hei-
ena have further endeared themselves to
the people by their activity in behalf OF
sufferers by the eruption, and the govern
ment is exerting itself for the relief of the
destitute This work. however, is obstruet-
ed by the congestion of all means of trans
portation which are monopolized In the
carrying of people out OF the zone of dan
ger.