Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-26
Fourteen Craters Continue
Pouring Out Lava.
Two Villages Threatened.
| People in Great Terror.
Damage Is Heavy..ReIief Being
Sent TO the Sufferers.

Catania Sicily, March 25.-Etna still
is angry From the top Of the old GRAFT
err volumes of white smoke are issu
ing tonight. while from the new craters
which have formed, lava is gushing
anG large incandescent masses are ex-
ploding with loud detonations and en-
missions OF black smoke.
From Catania and along the entire
railway surrounding Etna thousands
of persons are watching the volcano,
following with telescopes the progress
of the eruption. The streams of lava
already have surpassed in volume
those of the eruption of 1892. but
changing their courses just as they
reached Belpasso and Nicolosi, kthey
have invaded the main roads near
these two villages which seem thereby
now to have been saved from destruc-
ton.
The people are still fearful, but in
both villages soldiers are camped IN
the squares to avert panic while the
mayors and parish priests are heroic
a,lv administering to the needy Car
dinal Francica Nava, who returned to-
day to the scene of the eruption, prom
Used to bring back to the people of Nj
co!osi and Belpasso the veil of st.
Agathy, which they believe has the
power to stop the advancing lava.
Prof. Ricco, the director of the OBJ
servatory on the volcano, despite d
narrow escape from death today, has
returned to the lava fields. To those
who advised prudence. he replied:
my post is now there
nf Pr0nktVn NJ v.
who is attached to the Royal Observa-
tory at Mount Vesuvius. arrived here
today and proveeded Immediately to
the scene of the eruption.
1t has now been ascertained that the
openings from which the laws is is
suing number IA. The heat from the
currents is SO intense that it is impos-
sibe to approach nearer than $50 feet
to them. The progress down the
mountain side of the lava now aver
ages Is feet every seven minutes.
Late tonight, it was considered mos +
probable that the streams would pass
between Borrelle and Nicolosi. The
people are pleading for assistance
especially for carts in which to move
their household effects from the vol
canic region. The government has
turned over to the project $4,000 with
which to assist needy peasants.
Mr.. Perrit arrived at Nicolosi and
sent this telegram to Catania:
THE great eruption continues with
unabated violence. The craters con-
stantly are throwing out liquid fire
and rock to a height of 20 metres. 1t
is a magnificent though terriing spec
tacle.
THE lava has flowed 10 kilometres
(about seven miles) in two days. The
lower end of the stream is 200 metres
broad and five metres in height. The
stream is advancing so metres an hour
destroying vineyards and houses.
Enormous damage to property has
been done. The Alpine Clubs refuge
has been destroyed.
The lava will reach and partly dc :
stroy Borrello and Belpasso within
three days if present conditions con-
tinue. Nicolosi is not in danger
''There IS yet some smoke from the
eruption. The central crater is mac :
tive, but there are prolonged rum
blings within it. The explosions from
the side craters are very terrifying.
Il have measured the surface tenn
perature at the lower end of the lava
stream and it registers 900 degrees cen
| tigrade. The lava does not form in d
crust around trees, but ignites them.
THE present eruption is the sequel
to the abortive outbreak in April. 1908.
| and was expected and even predicted
| Il hope soon to visit the mouths
which have not as yet been visited by
| anyone. The entire path of the ascent
of the volcano is covered with burning
lava. In some places it is shallow and
| others deep. 1t is 600 metres broad.
"The final result of the eruption can
| not he predicted all depending upon
| the duration of the phenomenon. The
| latest observations show a slight re-
| duction in the intensity of the erup-
| ton"