The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-03-25
If the Belching Monster Continues in
its Present Violent Form, it
Will Prove Great
Catastrophe
THE LAVA rs FLOWING
Present Disturbance of the Mountain
Is Compared to the Eruption
of Mt. vesuvius in
1906.

CAIANlA, March 25.-MOunt Etna,
whose eruptions in the past have
wrought great destruction is again in
a violent state of activity. A pro-
nounced movement within the crater,
which began Wednesday evening, is
steadily increasing in volume, and
the gravest fears are entertained as
to the results if the eruption contin-
ues in its present violent form.
From Catania, correspondent mo-
tored in the direction of the noun
tains Passing the village of Mascal-
1cia, twelve miles in direct line
from the crater, thick curtain OF
smoke was encountered which entire
ly concealed Etna. At Nicolesi, ten
miles from the crater, the entire
populace was gathered in square.
Now anG then the volcano was ilumi-
mated with flashes of light, appearing
almost red. Higher up the rain OF
cinders became thicker and extended
like veil across the mountain. Deep
roaring was heard.
The lava flow has already reached
vineyards above the San Leo and
Rinazze, seven miles from the crater,
and has burned large number OF
4 streams and united in one great mass
| about twenty feet high and fifteen
I hundred feet wide. It's velocity was
estimated at three to four feet min
| ut. This mighty wall of lava was
| today not more than five miles from
| Bolpasso and Nicolosi.
The meteorological station on the
! mountain side has been destroyed
| and the village of Borello is in seri-
/ Gus danger. The people, terror-strick-
en-, are flying from their homes. Earth
/ shocks reached fifty in number, but
there is continuous vibration and
trembling many miles around. Every
where the villagers are carrying
images in a procession, imploring
mercy. Twelve new craters have
been formed
Help for the people in the devas-
j tated region is being organized here.
4 A detachment of soldiers and a large
\ number of engineers and doctors
have gone forward. The project OF
4 Cantania, returning from the scene
last evening, said.
} 81 witnessed a spectacle of desolu
, ton and ruin which only those who
saw the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906
can imagine The present eruption
} can be compared to no Other"
The authorities have issued orders
! beyond Belpasso. and soldiers are
5 stationed at various points to see thai
e these orders are obeyed. The village
: of Borello was surrounded by lava
: Inhabitants have fed. Prof Ricco
y director of the Mt. Etna observatory
+ said: 1.-THE eruption is very grave
think it will become much more
serious. The lava covered five miles
In sixteen hours, and If my calucula
= tions are right the eruption of th'
$ volcano will not be short
e Many tourists, among whom Amer
4 leans are CONSPICUOUS, are pouring In
e to Catania to view the spectacle
The latest report from Nicolosi sa
y the lava current is moving hundre
feet an hour and that it passed owe
Mt. San Leo The earth shocks col
y tinue.
l. Thousands of people rendered hom
less by the eruption are comm
toward. Catania today, the scene rlya
ling that OF fifteen months ago, whe
: this city became the refuge OF mar
.e of Messinas earthquake sufferer
n With characteristic religious zeal, Il
0, people first tried to check the flow
70 lava by holy images and relics. II
g. eruption increased in violence toda
" six new craters opening in the side
IN the mountain. A stream of molten la
fifty feet deep and half mile vii
is now sweeping down on the southe
slope of the mountain at the rate
A 300 feet an hour 1t has already &C
n cred nine miles of tie slope and
III stroyed either in part or whole
II. important villages. Eighteen crate
I'd are pouring forth their columns
srlphureous vapor, stones and lava.
There have been no reports OF dea
yet but it is feared several have be
,s cut off and pcrished, A number 8
ne missing The extent of tie destr'
af tion is so great that the governmt
he will probably make an appropriate
for the sufferers