New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-27
ETNA SUBSIDING
LAVA FLOW CEASES.
Only Danger IN Further EruP-
tiOR-A Fall of SHO5c.

Catania. March 26-RepOTts from all
points i'm the district directly affected By
the eruption OF Mount Etna indicate that
the violence OF the movement within the
volcano is subsiding. The various lava
streams are now advancing very slowly.
having moved only a few yards In the
last twelve hours Unless a new erup-
tiOn occurs. there is little further danger
20 De feared Detachments Of soldiers
and hremen are held I'm readiness. how
ever They have already constructed
strong wall around the threatened side
OF NicolOsi.
Hundreds OF peasants have lost their
homes and worldly belongings. and il Is
said that many Of them will emigrate 20
America.
The eruption. which began on Wednes-
day and was still Of a threatening char
acter this morning. decreased noticeably
during the day Toward night the
rumblings In the volcano ceased and the
side craters emitted sand. which IL con-
sidered an indication that the disturb
ance will not continue much longer
The stream Of lava moving in the di-
rectiOn of BorreIlo has diminished in
volume and velocity, while The flow that
has threatened Nicolosi has almost
ceased. The weather Is cloudy. and al
: NicOlos. il is showing tonight
The stream Of lava winding in and out
over the uneven surface at the noun
tain's base has covered probably twenty
hve miles. though its head is not more
than ten miles from its source I'm an air
line. Throughout the night the sum-
nit Of Mount Etna appeared TO be
Gblaze. and to-day a cloud OF black
smoke enveloped the peak. There were
long rumblings this morning from the
central crater and frequent explosions
from the side assures
An early morning visit into the threat
ened region affords a spectacle magnif-
cent beyond description, which could
be throughly enjoyed by the hundreds
OF sightseers. were IL not for the ter
rCr and real distress Of the peasants.
A panic had seized the villagers. and
though they chung 10 their little homes
until the food was almost on them
they have now abandoned all except
portable property. and driving before
them their donkeys and pigs. the former
loaded with household goods. they are
wandering about with the single aim
of preserving what little has been left
To them. on the hilltops little groups
Of men. women and children could be
seen looking back sadly To the sites
Of their former homes. now covered with
lava To a height Of perhaps fifteen feet.
Others, whose homes had not been over
taken. clasped their crucifxss IS. images
Of the Madonna and the saints. and.
with cries and prayers, implored that
their little huts be spared while the
molten masses crawled irresistibly for
ward
The deafening detonations. accom-
panied by earthquake shocks. gave the
impression OF an angry monster stTug-
Cling 20 loosen its bonds. At times
storm Of cinders would obscure the VOL
canO. and then suddenly a shift OF the
wind would force back the cloud. and
the sun. bursting through. smiled down
on one 81 the most fertile countries in
the world The summit of Mount Etna
appears TO be still covered with snow
The people Of the district have been
wrought up 10 a high pitch of excite
ment. and are ready for miracles. though
at the same time saying hat the evil
I eye is upon them. AZ "A little roadside
l'altar erected 10 ST. Joseph at point
above Nicolosi. the women. priests and
children had gathered % implore mercy.
/ AS they knelt they saw in the distance
the destructive food advancing. AS q
group increased until one exclaimed:
a miracle has occurred, The lava Will
not touch the sanctuary" The cry was
taken up by the others. and then the
I chanting Of melancholy Sicilan hymns
WAS renewed. Nearer came the lava. but
when It's heat had nearly suffocated the
praying ones the stream was diverted.
/ With cries Of joy az what appeared 20
: be- "A miraculous manifestation, the sup
/ plicants sprang 10 their feet 4 moment
/ later the course OF the food again
changed, and sweeping toward the wor-
I shippers permitted them barely time 10
I fee for their lives, while il engulfed and
burned the sanctuary
4 report that Theodore Roosevelt
would visit Catania in order to witness
the eruptions was circulated among the
J American visitors here to-day. but il did
not gain wide credence