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

CATANIA, March 25-Mount Etna,
whose eruptions in the past have
wrought great destruction is again in
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-
ucia, twelve miles in a direct line
from the crater, a thick curtain OF
smoke was encountered which entire
ly concealed Etna. At Nicolesl. 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 a 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
peasant house 1t came in several
streams and united in one great mass
! about twenty feet high and fifteen
hundred feet wide. Its velocity was
estimated at three to four feet a min
ut. This mighty wall Of lava was
today not more than five miles from
1 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 procession, fmploring
mercy. Twelve new craters have
been formed.
Help for the people in the devas
Z tated region IS being organized here
A detachment of soldiers and large
!, number of engineers and doctors
have gone forward. The project OF
Cantania, returning from the scene
last evening said
} 81 witnessed a spectacle of desolu
2 ton and ruin which only those who
!, saw the eruption of Vesuvius in 1906
: can imagine The present eruption
2 can be compared to no otaor."
t The authorities have issued order:
that no one will be permitted to 60
d beyond Belpasso. and soldiers are
s stationed at various points to see tina
e these orders are obeyed. The village
l. of Borello was surrounded by lava
( Inhabitants have fled. Prof. Ricco
y director of the Mt. Etna observatory
l. said: "The eruption is very grave
think it will become much NOR
serious. The lava covered five mile
in sixteen hours, and If my calucula
G lions are right the eruption of tn
IS volcano will not be short.
e Many tourists, among whom Amel
II leans are CONSPICUOUS, are pouring II
% to Catania to view the spectacle
The latest report from Nicolosi sa
y the lava current is moving hundre
o. feet an hour and that it passed owe
"a Mt. San Leo. The earth shocks CO.
y tinue
u Thousands of people rendered nom
less by the eruption are comlr
toward Catania today, the scene rlVf
Fing that OF fifteen months ago, WHIT
- this city became the refuge OF maj
&c of Messina's earthquake sufferer
n With characteristic religious zeal, t
o, people first tried to check the flow
DO lava by holy images and relics. L
e eruption increased in violence todt
by six new craters opening in the side
sh the mountain A stream of molten la
fifty feet deep and a half mile WI
is now sweeping down on the southe
slope of the mountain at the rate
A 800 feet an hour. 1t has already CO
n cred nine miles Of the slope and
al stroyed either in part or whole
81. important villages. Eighteen crate
nd are pouring forth their columns
t. srlphureous vapor, stones and lava
There have been 40 reports OF del
yet, but it is feared several have be
rs cut off and perished. a number
ne missing. The extent OF tie destr
saf ton is so great that the governm'
he will probably make an appropriat
for the sufferers.