Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-01-13
MANY VICTIMS ARE DROWNED
an ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE
FROM HOT LAVA. THEY
PLUNGE INTO THE SEA
SHOWER OF DUST FALLING
NAcAsAKl, NINETY MILES AWAY,
SEES EVIDENCES or THE
ERUPTION

Toxic, Japan, Jan. 1S.-A tidal
wave added its terror to the earth
quakes and volcanic eruptions which
struck Kagoshima in southern Japan
yesterday, according to official ad-
vices today.
1t is believed here that the Kago-
shima disaster will prove to be one
Of the most serious in the history of
Japan. The loss Of life and property
increases with fuller news from the
scene.
Communication Cut Off
The full extent or the disaster
could not be ascertained today, as
all communication was cut off from
the stricken district south of Kuma-
moto, so or 80 miles north of Kago-
shima. The navy department was
unable to obtain a wireless reply
from the warships sent to the scene,
although many messages we're dis
patched to them.
Ashes to the depth Of six inches
have fallen in the seaport of Miya-
zaki, on the east coast of Kiushiu.
A postal employe who fled from
Kagoshima states that the big post
office building there collapsed dur
ing the earthquake and tidal wave
and that great number of resi-
dences were ruined, while many peo-
pie and animals were killed or in
jured.
The navy and army departments
are giving succor and supplies to
Kagoshima.
Has Been Silent Century
Sakura-Jima. which in violent erup-
ton, is destroying life and deyastat-
ing property over EXTENDED areas in
Kiushiu, southermost island of the
main Japanese group, has been quiet
for more than century, although it
rears its cratered peak in veritable
land Of volcanoes.
Directly to the south Of it on one
of the three lower tips Of japan
stands Kiamon lake, which is CON
stantly active, while directly north
Of it are Kirichima-Y -Yama and Shira-
torisan. Both are active, and from
the former in 1896 came tremen-
dous and destructive outburst. The
contour Of hill and valley throughout
the region all tells OF volcanic origin
and activity, and the higher ridges
are SCARED and seered with ruins o.
lava, marked by precipitations o.
ash, and cut and torn by the conyul
sive earth shocks, which have attend
ed the more serious disturbances.
Volcano Is 1000 Feer High
Sakura-Jima occupies almost tht
exact center Of small round islant
in the Gulf Of Kagoshima and direct
iy in front of the city of Kagoshima
capital of the province Of Satsuma
II is 1000 feet high and before th,
present eruption had two craters. On
Of these has been closed and silen
for many years, the other, huge
ragged opening in the mountain crest
has for centuries given off small
quantities Of steam.
Around its base are several no
springs, evidence Of subterranean con
ditions, and several draws in th
rugged sides show runs Of lava whlcl
extend to the sea-
The island and its volcano ar
scenically beautiful, and both japan
ese and foreigners m large number
constantly visited them. The pei
manent population was considerable
running probably to 25,OOO. Much {
the soil OF the island was rich, an
sugar cane. fruits and vegetable
we're extensively cultivated. salxur;
Jima had its last general eruption i
1879, and while accurate informatio
as To- the suffering and damage whic
it inflicted is not available, the O
casion SO impressed itself on th