Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-01-15
Volcanic Disturbance Ter
roriZes Thousands who
Flee for Their Lives.
10000 ARE MISSING.
Forest Fires Add to the General Dis
tress-Thousands are Dying For
Want of Food and Water.

Tokyo, Japan. Jan. l5.-With TO-
600 men, women and children unac-
counted for, the volcano ut Sakura-
shlma is again pouring molten lava
over the Island of Sakura today from
a great tiissure that opened in the
west side of the mountain last night
Thousands that fled kogashima have
perished from exhaustion, exposure
and starvation in the mountains,
where they sought escape from the
death-hail Of rocks when the volcano
sprung into sudden activity last
Sunday
A great section of the mountain
blew out last night, at time when
refugees. eA:bolden by the apparent
cessation of violent action, were re-
turning to Kogoshima. hoping to find
that some Of their homes had escaped
the fire that swept the city. :
the mountain side opened and bclched
forth another shower of molter,
rock and hot ashes. and the air again
became suffocating with smoke -
poisonous gasses the refugees file!
back into the hills. 1t is said that
thousands are dying from lack of
food and water, while all about them
forest fires are raging The national
observatory here predicts that more
serious cruptions may be expected at
any time.
Tokyo, Jan. 15.-Enormou loss Of
life and the practical annihilation of
Sakurashima by the terrific volcano
and earthquake which began
Sunday and has continued ever since
are reiterated in brief messages
which have como from various sour
ces.
The governor of Miyasaki. near the
east coast Of Kiushiu, telegraphs that
the hundreds of terror-stricken refu-
gees who have managed to reach Mi
yasaki say there has been terrible
loss of life. Thousands Of inhabi-
tants of the island were unable to
reach the mainland before being over
taken by fire and lava.
1t is stated that no accurate esti-
mate of the loss Of life will be pos
sible for several days, because of the
interruption OF tal!, telegraph, and
al! other means Of communication
throughout the affected area Com
so far received have been
by wireless. A wireless message
from the commander Of the japanese
cruiser 'rono states that not single
person remains in kagoshina. The
message does not indicate whether
the people of tho island escaped or
were overwhelmed.
Nagasaki, Jan. 15.-Wireless mes
sages received from Japanese war
ships state that the island of Sakura
is shrouded completely in heavy black
smoke. through which momenta,y
Of fame may be seen.
The death roll undoubtedly will
mount we'll into the thousands, but
up to the present time all estimates
are based merely on conjecture. Ac-
cording to the disjointed stories Of
survivors who managed to reach the
mainland, hundreds were over
whelmed by the rain Of molten
stones, boulders, and other volcanic
matter while waiting for boats or try
ing to swim to the mainland.
The city of Kagoshina is reported
covered by fifteen feet of ashes.
Enormous assures of great depth run
in all directions.
LONDON. Jan I5.-The correspon-
dent of the Times, at Tokyo. cables
the following optimistic report of
the volcanic eruptions and earth
quake in Southern Japan
"Telegrarns received here today an
nounce the destruction of all villages
on the Island Of Sakura, but estimate
the death roll at less than 200. Kago-
shima is deserted. except by civic
officials, police and troops. Every
building in the town suffered FROM
the earthquake shock. and many
from fires. but official reports male
mention Of only niHs persons lilisd
ans fifteen injured