The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-25
ERUPTIONs GROWING

CONTINUED From Page One)
thered in the square to watch the vol
cano which appeared as a black phan-
tom above. Now and then it was il
Illuminated with flashes of light. High
or ND. the rain of cinderS became
thicker and extended like veil across
the mountain A deep roaring was
heard and detonationS resembling ar
tillery followed one another in quick
succession, while the earth shook.
One of the guides cried: An earth-
quake" and could hardly be induc-
ed to continue. The hot cinders COW
cred the ground like thick carpet,
rendering walking difficult.
Lava Burning Everything.
A peasant was encountered coming
down. He said: 1.-The fire is rushing
down, burning everything. The lava
is like a red hot river
Proceeding little farther, four CO.
lossal columns of black smoke could
be observed. Occasionally they were
cut by flashes of fire, presenting an
awe inspiring spectacle. The wind
opened the clouds for a moment and
a wide strip of earth could be seen
in the distance, advancing with mon
strous contortions. 1t fell like tor
rent from Mount Capriolo, spreading
out in the valley below.
The lava flow had already reached
the vineyards above San Leo and
Rinazzo, seven miles from the crater
and had buried many peasant houses
1t came in several streams and unit
ed in one great mass about 20 feet
high and 1900 feet wide. It's velocity
was estimated at three to four feet
a minute, varying according to the
condition of the ground. This mighty
wall of lava tonight was not more
than five miles from Belpasso and
Nicolosi
Meteorological Station Destroyed.
The meteorological station on the
mountainside has been destroyed and
the village of Borrello is in serious
danger
The populace, terror stricken, are
fleeing from their homes. There have
been so earth shocks and there is a
continuous vibration and trembling
for many miles. Everywhere the viii
layers are carrying images in process
sion and are imploring mercy. Twelve
new craterS nave been opened up.
Help for the people of the devas-
tated region is being organized here.
A detachment of soldiers and a large
number of engineers and doctors
have gone forward.
The project of Catania, returning
from the scene yesterday said:
Il have witnessed a spectacle of
desolation and ruin which only those
who saw the eruption of Vesuvius in
1906 can imagine. The present erup-
ton can be compared to no other"
The authorities have, issued orders
that no one shall be permitted to go
beyond Belpasso and soldiers have
been stationed at various points to
see that these orders are obeyed The
village of Borrello is surrounded by
the lava and the inhabitants have fled
| to Belpasso.
Eruption Very Grave.
Professor Ricco, director of Mount
Etna Observatory said last night:
The eruption is very grave and
think it will become much more SER
ious. The lava has covered five miles
in Is hours, and if my calculations
are right the eruption of the volcano
will not be short
DR.. Walter Craven, an Englishman
after his return today from Nicolosi
where he made photographs of the
lava, said:
Horrible detonations made the
ground tremble under my feet and it
was impossible to keep the camera
steady more than for a moment"
Many tourists, among whom Ameri-
cans are conspicuous, are pouring into
Catania to view the spectacle Latest
reports from Micolosi today say that
the lava current is moving at the rate
of about 1900 feet an hour and that
it is nearly a mile wide
Cardinal Francisco Nava. archbish-
on of Catania, visited Nicolosi this
afternoon. The earth shocks con-
tinue