The Washington times., 1912-06-11
HUNDREDS DRIVEN
FROM HOMES into
WASTES OF ALASKA
Volcanic Eruption Buries
Villages Under Foot of
Ashes-Relief Asked.

One of the most severe volcanic
eruptions in modern history has been
visited upon the small seal islands
of Alaska, according to dispatches
coming to revenue cutter headquar-
ters from Captain Perry, in command
of the cutter Manning.
More than 500 destitute and home
less from st. Paul and Wood Island
villages and from Kodiak are being
cared for upon the Manning. The
number of dead and injured has not
been reported.
All of the seal communities are in
urgent need of immediate relief. and
President Taft has several necessary
measures under consideration. Fol-
lowing a conference this morning be-
tween the President, Acting Secretary
of the Treasury Curtis, and Captain
Bertholf, commanding the Revenue
Cutter Service, 1t was determined to
send another to Join the Manning i'm
mediately.
Cutters to Rescue.
The entire Alaska fleet of revenue cut
tors. the Takoma, Mccullough, Bear,
and Thetis has been ordered to be In
readiness for relief work. The McCul-
Tough is bound for Wood Island. The
Bear Is at Name, and will probably take
on supplies for the sufferers.
Communication with the stricken dis
trict has been cut off through the de-
struction Of the navy wireless station on
Wood island in the eruption. Dispatches
from the Manning were sent by tug to
Seward. Alaska.
Captain Perry's dispatches recites
only bare facts. They give no infornia-
tion as to causes Of the eruption. or
whether or not there was warning of
Its coming.
Tells of Eruptions.
His message follows:
st. Paul and Wood Island villages,
and Kodiak are buried under one foot
of volcanic ashes, sand, and pumice
stone, after an eruption of forty-eight
hours.
Other settlements are doubtless in the
same or worse condition, and I am
sending out all relief parties possible
BY drafting available crafts.
No lives have been lost here as yet.
Water ashore has become polluted, and
there Is great distress among the ma
tives The Manning has provided refuge
for all the Inhabitants throughout, and
should remain here indefinitely.
Another cutter Is needed to take
lighthouse supplies to westward II prac-
ticable. I am compelled to use large
amounts Of the ships rations for
refugees, and must continue to do this
unless other aid arrived. am furnishing
quarters food, and water from the dis
tiller to about 500 at present, many Of
them women and children.
The naval wireless station at Wood
Island was destroyed by fire, except the
aerial masts and the Manning's radius
Is too small to reach any station. am
consequently drafting a tug to take dis
patches to Seward.
80
appointed by me to take charge urge
strongly the need of a Government
emergency fund with which supplies
can be shortly obtained. I approve the
The experience has been terrible
and much Of the time all hands seem
ed in imminent danger OF sunocat-
Hng .,,o,os .,o ox.s,+ =, tho +sr-
ritory covered and the amount OF
precipitation is far beyond that of any
In modern history.
I ask to be confirmed in past, and
future actions as far as possible In
the name of humanity. Searles, de-
tailed by me, must wait at Seward for
reply or orders. PERRY.
Reply Is Sent.
A brief reply has been sent by Cap
tain Bertholf assuring Captain Perry
that his course would be confirmed
in any steps taken by him, and giving
him authorization to act as circum-
stances require until he receives
further notice. This brief message
will release the Manning's messenger.
1t Is estimated by revenue cutter
officers that the Manning has suffci-
ent supplies aboard for days and
possibly weeks, owing to the fact that
She Is on a long cruise. and carrying
supplies to the Alaska lighthouses,
them
Manning was in the seal islands de-
livering the first mali to the natives
that they have received in twelve
months.
It is believed here that the seal
herds, on the breeding grounds which
the Government has spent thousands
10 protect, will be greatly diminished
as q result Of the eruption. From
Captain Perry's message 1t would ap-
has been fouled. and the seals are
undoubtedly driven from their foaling
grounds,