Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-25
FORCE AND FLOW OF LAVA BE.
LlEvED TO BE GROWING
LESS.
PEOPLE PANIC STRICKEN
AND PRAY IN TERROR
River of Lava Flows for Seven Miles
From crater-Mountain Roars and
Earth TrembIes as With an Earth
quake-PoIice Stop American Tour
lists in Efforts to Ascend Mountain.

Catania, Sicily, March 25.-There are
signs strengthening the hope that the
force of the eruptions of Mount Etna
are decreasing. After reaching the val
ley the lava flood widened and dimin-
ished in velocity.
| Mout Etna, whose eruptions in the
! past have wrought great destruction, is
again in a violent state of activity. A
pronounced movement within the
crater began Wednesday evening,
steadily increasing in volume, and last
night the gravest fears were entertain
ed as to the results if the eruption
| continues in its present violent form.
| From Catania a correspondent motor
ed in the direction of the mountain.
Passing the village of Mascalucia,
twelve miles in direct line from the
river. thick curtain of smoke was en-
countered, which entirely concealed
Etna.
AT Nicolosi, ten miles from the crater.
the entire population had gathered in
the square to watch the volcano, which
appeared as a black phantom above.
Now and then it was Illuminated with
flashes of light. appearing almost red.
thicker and extended like a veil across
the mountain.
Mountain Roars, Earth TrembIes.
A deep roaring was heard and detona-
tons like the sound of artillery followed
one another in quick succession, while
the earth shook under foot.
One of the guides cried: AN earth
quake" and could hardly be induced
to continue. The hot cinders covered
the ground like thick carpet, render
ing walking difficult. A peasant was
encountered coming down. He said:
The fire is rushing down, burning
everything. The lava is like redhot
river
Proceeding little farther along, 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 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.
Lava River Flows Seven Miles.
The lava flow already had reached
the vineyards above San Leo and Rim
had buried large number of peasants
houses. 1T came in several streams and
united in one great mass about 20 feet
in height and 1.500 feet wide. Its We
locity 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 five miles from Bolpasso and
NicoloSi.
The meteorological station on the
mountain side has been destroyed and
the village of Borrello is in serious
danger. The people, terror stricken, are
fleeing from their homes. The earth
shocks have reached about fifty in
numbe but there is a continuous vi
bration and trembling for many miles
around. Everywhere the villagers are
carrying images in procession and i'm
ploring mercy. Twelve new craters
have been opened.
Frantic Ones Pray in Terror.
Great confusion prevails, owing to
the holding of professions. praying, and
the displays of the characteristic reli-
gious frenzy which possess the Sicil-
ians in such emergencies, rendering
them helpless. Every church in Nico-
LOST is crowded with panic stricken de-
voices and loud prayers continue unin-
terruptedly day and night.
Hundreds of candles are lighted in
front of every image, and all the saints
are invoked. Troops have been dis
patched to the Mount Etna district to
keep order and assist in the evacuation
Of the villages.
Many American and English tourists
have arrived at Nicolosi, bent upon at
tempting an ascent of the mountain,
but they are forcibly prevented by the
police.
The loud wailings of the people min
gle with the rumblings of the noun
tain, making a weird chorus.