The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-25
LAVA FLOWS DOWN
. LIKE IRE:.D-A.0T'' !. RIVER.
Destruction Is Pouring Forth
from Great Crater Of
Mount Etna.
PEOPLE e e: TERROR i & .|' -sTRlc 1 Il KEN E,
Many Villages Will Be Destroyed
if Violent Eruption Does
Not Cease.
Destruction Is Pouring Fortl
PEOPLE TERROR sTRIC KEN

Il ~ sASiSiAI A-i " PllOlIs1IOCS4 4s4t 4
Not Cease.
i Catania, Sicily, March 24.-Moun
!, Etna, whose erupttons in the past l1av,
wrought great destruction. is again Ii
a violent state OF activity. A pro.
nounced movement within the crater
began last evening, steadily increasing
in volume, and tonight the graves,
1 fears are entertained as to the results
4 IL the eruption continues in Its pres
/ ent violent form.
From Catania, the Associated Press
correspondent otored in the direction
Of the mountain. Passing the village
OF Alascalucia, twelve miles in a direct
line from the crater. a thick curtain
tirely concealed Elan. At Nicolsi, ten
miles from the crater, the entire pop
ulation had gathered In the square to
watchhthe volcano which appeared as
a black phantom above. Now and
then 1t was Illuminated with flashes
of light, appearing almost red. Higher
Spu, the rain Of cinders became thicker
and extended like veil across the
mountain. A deep roaring was heard,
and detonations like the sound OF arr
tillery following one another in quick
succession. while the earth shook un-
der foot );
Like Rcd-Hot River.
One Of the guides cried. "An earth
quake" and could hardly be induced
to continue. The hot cinders covered
the ground like thick carpet. rend-
ertng walking difficu1t.gA peasant was
encountered. coming down He said,
"The fire Is rushing down. burning
everything. The lava is like a red hot
river
Proceeding little further along,
four colossal columns of black smoke
could be observed. Occasionally they
were cut by flashes Of fire. presenting
an awe-inspiringl spectacle. Then the
wind opened the clouds for a moment
and q wide strip Of IRE could be seeI
IN the distance. advancing With mons
trous contorttons. 1T fell like a tor
rent from Mount Capriolo. spreading
out in the valley below. The lava floN
had already reached the yineya rd.
above San Leo and Rinazzo, sever
miles from the crater and had buried
a. large number OF peasants, houses
It came In several streams and united
in one great mass about twenty feet
in height and 1900 feet wide
It's velocity was stlmated at three
to four feet a minute. varying accord
ing to the condition OF the ground.
This mighty wall OF lava was to-day
not more than five miles from BOZ
spasso and Nicolosi.
People Terror-Stricken.
The meteorological station on the
mountain side has been destroyed ana
the village of Borrello is in serious
danger. The people, terror stricken,
are flying from their homes. The
5earthshocks have reached about fifty
in number. but there rs a continuous
vibration and trembling for many
miles around Everywhere the Wiz
layers are carrying images and inn
5ploring mercy. Twelve new craters
have been opened up.
Dcsolntion nnd Ruin.
Catania. March 24.-Help for the
people of the devastated region is
being organized here. detachment
gineers and: doctors have gone for
ward. The project OF Catania, return
ing from the scene this evening. said:
II have witnessed a spectacle Of
desolatlon and ruin which ..only those
who saw the eruption OF Vesuvius In
1906 can imagine, Tho pres sent erup-
ton can be compared to no OF her
III The authorities nave issued orders
that no one shall be permitted to- go
beyond BelpassO. and soldiers have
been stationed at various points3to sec
that these orders are obeyed. \ The
village Of Borellos IS s8surrounded by the
lava and the Inhabitants have fled to
Belpasso.
3 Professor Riccok. director Of Mt.
Etna Observatory, said Tonight:
1.-THE eruption Is Very grave. and I
think twill become much more se-
ri Nha Il ava hQ ( COyeran& &f1ve%1nilnspI
in sixteen hours, and IL my calcula-
tions are right, the eruption OF the
will not be 81 ort."
4 Many tourists, among whom VI "A mort
Catania to Wow the spectacle. Late
rep orts from ENicolost o-night say that
the lava current Is moving at; tho rat Q
OF about i 90 feet an hour, and thatgit
has pass ed & over Mount San Leo. The
continue. Il