The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-25
HISTORIC AETNA IS
AGAIN THREATENING
New Outburst of Fire That
Carries Death and Devasta-
tion Hourly Expected.
P0PULACE OF ADJOINING
VILLAGES TERROR STRICKEN
People ThrOng the Streets,
Watching Disturbances and
Praying for Mercy.

CASTANIA, Sicily, March "a
Mount Aetna is again in state Of
violent activity. A pronounced move.
ment within the crater began last
night, steadily increased In volume, and
tonight the gravest fears are enter
tanned Of the results if the activity
continues in its present form.
From Catania correspondent
motored toward the mountain. Beyond
the village of Masculucia, twelve miles
in direct line from the crater, thick
curtain of smoke was encountered,
which entirely concealed Aetna.
At Nicolosi ten miles from the
crater, the entire population had gath
cred III the square to watch the
volcano, which appeared as black
phantom above. Now and then it was
Illuminated with flashes of light.
Higher up the rain of cinders became
thicker and extended like veil across
the mountain. A deep roaring was
heard and detonatlonS resembling ar
tillery followed one another in quick
succession, while the earth shook.
One of the guides cried Gan earth
quake and could hardly be induced
TO continue.
like thick carpet, rendering walking
difficult.
A peasant was encountered coming
down He said:
"The fire is rushing down, burning
everything. The lava is like a rcd hot
river,
Great Forest of Fire.
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. The wind
opened the clouds for moment, and
the distance, advancing with monstrous
contortions- 1t fell like a torrent 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
It came in several streams and united
in one great mass about 20 feet
high and 1000 feet wide. Its velocity
was estimated at three to four feet "A
minute, varying according to the
condition of the ground. This mighty
wall of lava today was not more than
) miles from Belpasso and Nicolosi
The meteorological station on the
al u.
the village of Borrello is in serious
danger.
The populace. terror stricken, are
fleeing from their homes. There have
been fifty earth shocks, and there is a
continuous vibration and trembling for
many miles Everywhere the villagers
are carrying images in procession and
are imploring mercy. Twelve new
craters have been opened up.
Relief Work Begun.
Help for the people Of the devastated
region is being organized here, A de-
tachment of soldiers and large num-
ber of engineers and doctors have gone
forward.
The prefect Of Catania, returning
from the scene this evening. said;
81 have witnessed n spectacle Of
dcsolation 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 60
beyond BeIpasso and soldiers have been
stationed at various points TO see that
| these orders are obcyed. The village
of Borrello is surrounded by the lava
and the inhabitants have fled TO Bel
passo.
Professor Ricco, director Of Mount
| SHInd ODSclNdlOIN, Sdlu ipAIShbs
'Thc eruption is very grave, and |
| think il viii become mucn more serl-
Gus. The lava has covered five miles
in sixteen hours and if my calcula'
tious are right, the eruption Of the vol
cano Will not be short.
DR. Walter Craven. an Englishman,
after his return today flom Nicolosl,
where he made photographs of the lava,
| said:
"Horrible dctonations made the
ground trembIe under my feet, and 1t
was impossible TO keep the camera
steady more than for moment.
Many tourists, among whom Amer
cans are conspicuous, are pouring into
Catania to view the spectacle. Latest
reports from Nicolosi said that the lava
is moving at the rate Of about 100 feet
an hour. and that it has passed over
Mount San Leo.
Cardinal Francesca Nava, archbishop
Of Catania, visited NicolosI thus aft
ernoOn. There earth shocks continue
IEUIllC1 R0NU rUR0WERS