The Washington times., 1912-08-31
MEXICAN CITY IS
WARNED OF QUAKE,
AND MAY Be MOVED
Guadalajara Found to Be
Resting Over Seething
Volcano.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Aug. al
Warning has been issued to this the
second city in the republic, with pop
ulation of 10000 that II Is to be de-
stroyed by a volcano. The warning
is given in all seriousness by the Mex
ican government through the seismo-
graphic branch of the national obser-
vatory at Mexico City. Seven scien-
lists. who spent the latter part of July
and the first week of August here, have
issued a report following the $40, earth
quakes which have shaken Guadala lara
In the past three months, that the town
is built on the crater of slumbering
volcano.
Increasing tempera lures, Sulphurous
fumes escaping from fissures torn in the
city streets by the uuakes, and the
bursting out of several hot springs led
70 the investigation which showed that
30c feet beneath the surface of the earth
there is seething crater whose last
eruption was about 1,SO0 years ago. The
men from the observatory cannot state
thev believe II will be within a year.
Their report urges that the city be
vacated. and thev suggest movement
TO Juanacatan. town about forty miles
from her. on the banks of Santiago
river. ridge of hills intervenes. and It
Is stated that the effects of the vo-
canic upheaval, II It is of the magnitude
they expect will not reach to Juanaca-
TAN. lie CenIeT Oh lne
this city is located approximately under
the state palace, which Is in the heart
of Guadalajara.
Government papers have been removed
from the palace to Mexico City for
safety. and a mass meeting will be held
here the first Sunday in September to
decided whether the city shall heed the
warning and move or wait and see what
happens. Government officials are a
unit In supporting the report of the men
from the national observatory and the
recommendation for removal con-
tained therein. This is the first time
In history when CITY has been warned
of danger from volcano.
GuadR lajara, In the state Of Jalisco Is
perched nearly a mile above seu level,
and, on account of this elevation, boasts
a fine climate. The town was founded
in 1881. and. excepting the character
istic marks of Mexican citics, the pasco
and alameda, or puElic garden, haI
spread itself over TIE mountains IL
capicious manner. Its buildings are OF
plaster and stone, and, excepting the
public structures, practically none OF
them rise above two stories in height
and most of them are only one story
high
On March II, 1873, a very severe earth
quake shook the town, well used to
earth trumors of no particular conse-
luence. and practically every building
in the city suffered.
The government buildings. a cathedral
begun in 1871 and finished In 1918 and
two arcades. within which are the
principal markets of the city, bound
the plaza or the city square. The board
pa SEQ runs through the town for nearly
mile ard quarter and terminates
In spacious public gardens.
Among the public buildings in Quad
alaiara Is university, formerly a
Jesuit school. eleven converts, a hos
pital which served also as a reforma-
tory, an academy for fine arts, a mint
founded In 1911, a fine theater, and the
omnipresent bull ring.
There are paper mills. woolen and
cotton factories in the city. most ol
which have been owned for many years
by foreign interests. Great Britain
France, the United States, and
Germany. all have commercial interests
in the city.
II the city is abandoned the seat of a
bishopric 263 years old will be actually
changed. whatever nominal location OF
the see is retained. The city was found
ed in 1881 by Nunez Guzman.
1t stands about 40 miles northwest
of the capital of Mexico. with which Il
| is connected by railway. Guadalajara Is
connected with the acific coast by q
railroad running to Manzanillo. the first
considerable port on the west coast
a boVe Acapulco.