Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-25
MOUNT ETNA IS
SUDDENLY
ACTIVE
VOLCANO BELCHES RED
HOT CINDERS AND LAVA
PopuIace Of Neighboring Vii
lage TeIrorized FIees Home
Carrying Holy Images ard
Sending Up Prayers to God.


10y Morning journal sneciai Leased Wire
Catania. Sicily, March 2l-Moun
Etna is again in a violent state OF ac-
tivity. A pronounced movement
within the crater began last evening
increasing steadily in volume and to-
night the gravest fears are entertained
as TO the results if the eruption con
tinues in it's present violent form
From Catania, a correspondent mo-
tored In the direction Of the mountain.
beyond the village of Mascalucia.
twelve miles in a direct line from the
crater, thick curtain OF smoke was
encountered which entirely concealed
Etna.
At Nicolosi. ten miles from the
crater, the entire population had gath
cred in the square to watch the vol
cano which appeared as black phan-
tom above. Now and then il was ilu-
minated with flashes of light appear
ing almost red. Higher up the rain
Of cinders became thicker and ex-
tended like veil across the noun
tain. a deep roaring was heard and
dctonations like the sound OF artl-
lery following one another in quick
succession, while the earth shook un-
der foot.
One Of the guides cried.
An earthquake" and could hardly
be induced to continue The hot Gin
ders covered the ground like thick
carpet, rendering walking difficult.
A peasant was encountered coming
down. He said;
''rhe fire is rushing down burn
ing everything. The lava is like
red-hot river.
Proceeding a little further, four
colossal columns OF black smoke
could be observed. Occasionally they
were cut by flashes of fire, presenting
an awe-inspiring spectacle. Then the
wind opened the clouds for a moment
and a wide strip of fire could be seen
in the distance advancing with mon
strous contortions. 1t fell like a tor.
rent from Mount Capriolo, spreading
out in the valley below.
The lava flow had already reached
the vineyards above San Leo and Rim
nZzo. seven miles from the crater, and
had buried many peasant houses. 1t
came in several streams and united
in one great mass about twenty feet
high and ! 800 feet wide, It's veloc-
ity was estimated at three to four feet
a minute, varying according to the
condition of the ground. This mighty
wall of lava was today not more than
five miles from Bel passo and Nico-
LOST.
The meteorological station on the
mountainside has been destroyed and
the village of Borrello is in serious
danger.
The populace. terrorstricken, are
fleeing from their homes. The earth !
shocks have reached about fifty in
number, but there is a continuous Vi
bration and trembling for many miles /
around Everywhere the villagers are /
carrying images in procession and inn
plorlng mercy.
Twelve new craters have been
opened up.
Help for the people Of the devast-
ated region is being organized here |
A detachment Of soldiers and large |
number Of engineers and doctors have
gone forward.
The project of Catania. returning
from the scene this evening, said
Il have witnessed n spectacle or
desolation and ruin which only those /
who saw the eruption of Nesuvius in .
1906 can imagine. The present erup-
zion can be compared 70 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.
Professor Ricco, director Of Mount
Etna observatory, said tonight:
THE eruption is very grave and
think it viii become much more scri
Gus. The lava has covered five mil
in sixteen hours and If my calcula-
be short
Or. Walter Craven. an Enelishman.
after his return today from Nicolossi.
where he made photographs of the
lava said
Horrible detonations made the
ground tremble under my feet and i
was impossible to keep the camera
steady more than for n moment.
Many tourists, among whom Ameri-
fans are conspicuous. are pouring in
10 Catania to view the spectacle. Lat
EST reports from Nicoiossi tonight say
that the lava current is moving at the
rate of about 100 feet an hour and
hat il has passed over Mount San Leo.
Cardinal Francisco Nava. archbish-
np of Catania, visited Nicolossi this
ifternoon. The earth shocks continue.
NJ