Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-25
FLEE BEFORE LAVA
SiciIian Peasants Forced to
Desert Their Homes.
ADVANCES IN HUGE WALL
Front of Stream Is "a Feet High
and About 1900 Feet Wide.
KING MAY GO TO SCENE
Victor Emmanuel Ready to Share
the Perils and Sufferings
of His Subjects.
KING MAY GO TO SCENE
Special csblegram to The star.

Special Cabiegram to The Star.
CATANIA. March c5.-The stream OF
lava from Mount Etna is advancing to-
ward the villages on the slopes at the
rate of fifty meters an hour. The rising
ground surrounding Mount San Leo has
now been entirely submerged. The stream,
which is spreading in front. now meas
ures 300 meters and the distance covered
over ten kilometers. A portion of the
stream has deviated from its expected
course south Of Belpasso and that village
is now threatened.
A new lateral crater has formed in the
vicinity of Montagnola and other assures
have opened all of which are emitting
lava, which is advancing at the rate of
twenty-five meters an hour. The explo-
sions and violent rumblings continue. and
on the slopes of Mount Etna there is an
incessant rain of lapilli and ashes. The
churches are crowded with the panic
stricken people, who spent the entire
night in prayer.
New crevices are appearing at MINER
Gus points in Mount Etna. Showers of
stones are being sent up and are piled
three feet deep in the hamlets Of Nico-
losi and Borelo The latter village has
been entirely abandoned by the inhabi-
tants. The houses on the outlying sides
Of the village have already been destroy
ed by the stream Of lava, which is over
twenty-four feet high and some 800 feet
wide.
Procession Forced to Flee.
The members of a procession who were
carrying images and imploring the divine
intercesson to prevent catastrophe
were forced to flee before the rushing
stream of lava. They had narrow es-
cape from annihlation.
After reaching the valley the lava flood
widened but diminished in velocity, ana
this afternoon the hope that the erupfions
were decreasing in volume Was strength
ened.
An official report On the volcanic dts
turbances in the Mount Etna district
made public this forenoon, while connrm-
ing the gravity of the situation. holds out
the hope that the worst is over The era
ters that may be properly described as
new appear to be only four In number
These have opened a the foot OF Mount
CastellazZo. four miles in an air lne
from the summit of Mount Etna
One of these craters is at spot called
Tasca Albanelli. This is not throwing
out much lava. but is the nOisiest or the
four, and its loud detonations are chiefly
responsible for the terror OF the popuia-
ton for miles around. second crater is
GOO feet above In a place called Volta
Sangirol Amo This is 900 feet above
the sea, and the most active OF the open
inRs emitting the greatest mood OF IN
candescent matter At Tasca Arena Is a
third break. also very active, and near it
is the fourth, showing less serious erup-
ton.
Lava Streams Are United.
The four streams emitted from these
cratecs have united at the foot of Mount
Castellazzo and formed a great river OF
lava that is bringing death and desoia-
ton into the invaded districts. Plants.
trees, whole vineyards and orchards have
been destroyed by the consuming mood.
This morning the lava. river had extended
nine miles from its source.
Even In this city there was little sleep
for any one last night. The greatest anx-
iety was felt for friends and relatives and
their property interests in the threatened
district by those who know well the pos
sibilities OF the disaster.
The roaring Of Mount Etna continued
without interruption today. and rain OF
cinders fell for miles around. Caravans
of peasants carrying all their household
goods and all of their transpOrtaoie pos
sessions are moving to places OF safety.
In their departure they present pathetic
sight In many homes the molten mass
has entered the cisterns and caused de-
structive explosions. During the past
forty-eight hours the emission of lava, II
is estimated, has amounted to 1O,VWIoU
cubic yards.
prof. Ricco. director OF Mount Etna OBJ
serva4ory. advancing too far into the dis
turbed zone today. was caught In storm
Of cfnders and smoke and forced to flee
for his life Troops have been ordered
to the vicinity and volunteers from neigh
hnY.i vfl
the distressed
. King to Share Dangers.
ROME, March 25.-King Victor En-
manuel today expressed his intention to
20 into the territory Of volcanic erup-
tions in the vicinity Of Mount Etna, to
direct the work OF succor, encourage and
share the danger of his subjects. IL the
gravity Of the eruptions continued.
Premier Sonnino, who Is still acting,
penddng the choice OF his successor in Of
fice. today instructed the prefect OF police
Of Catania to use all the means In his
power to afford aid to the people sunering
by reason of the eruption. At the same
time the ministry Of war ordered troops
sent to the scene to assist the mayors OF
the villages in maintaining order and
saving property.
The city is crowded with visitors. More
than 10000 tourists, including a large
number of Americans. are here for holy
week. Today many OF these started south
to witness the eruptions.
The pope has received report of the
,,itua ton from Cardinal Francisco Nava.
Archbishop OF Catania, who yesterday
visited Nicolosi and the vicinity. The
cardinal described the desolation Of the
stricken districts, the great fear of the
population and the comfort received from
the faith, as manifested in public prayers
and professions.